Option #1 – Reserve now with a 33% deposit
Walk with Efrén González from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela
37 nights, 784 kilometers,
includes rest days in Burgos, León, and Santiago de Compostela
Efrén González is your host and translator
Accommodation options:
Reserve your place now with a registration and 33% deposit:
Itinerary Option 1 – Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago
May 3, 2023: Gather and Orientation. The adventure begins when Efrén meets you in beautiful Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, France, the traditional starting-point of the Camino Francés. Tour the town, check out the pilgrim office where you get your first credential stamp, then join Efrén for a friendly, orientation dinner (All meals on this trip are no-host). Return to Top
May 4, 2023: Walk 24.7km from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port over the Pyrenees to quiet Roncesvalles, a monastery/hostel community on the Spanish side of the mountains. This daylong walk is a physical exertion for all fitness levels. If you’re worried about your stamina, Efrén will direct you to a taxi option (€+) that can give you a head start 8km up the mountain to Orisson. Return to Top
May 5, 2023: Walk 21.8km from Roncesvalles to Zubiri. The brief challenge of a couple of 100m climbs is overshadowed by the long and sometimes steep descents on this mostly downhill stage. Concrete paths are often available to make for better footing, but they can be slippery when wet. Overall, however, a pleasant, wooded stage with occasional views and frequent village cafes for refueling and rest. Return to Top
May 6, 2023: Walk 21.1km from Zubiri to beautiful and historic Pamplona. The trail follows the Arga (Arre) River valley and plays cat and mouse with the N-135 highway as it winds its way on sometimes overgrown paths through woods and farms to historic and scenic Pamplona, capital of the Navarran region. Return to Top
May 7, 2023: Walk 24.4km from Pamplona to Puente la Reina. Today’s apex at Alto del Perdón offers some of the most dramatic views on the entire Camino Francés. The effects of steep uphills and downhills are cushioned somewhat by towns with ample services at regular intervals along the way. An optional jaunt to the beautiful and mysterious Chapel of Eunate adds a worthwhile 3.2km to the day’s total. Return to Top
May 8, 2023: Walk 21.6km from Puente la Reina to Estella. Wide open skies, wheat fields, vineyards and views over rolling hills make this a scenic and memorable stage. This is Camino walking at its loveliest, with moderate difficulty and ample rest stops. Return to Top
May 9, 2023: Walk 21.6km from Estella to Los Arcos. Under clear skies this stage is full of impressive scenery – mountains, valleys, grain fields and vineyards. Watch carefully for the option after the Irache wine fountain and turn right in the direction of Villamayor de Monjardin for the best views. The stretch between Villamayor and Los Arcos is one of the longest on the Camino without food or drink – unless you luck out with the presence of the food van 5km before Los Arcos. Still, it’s best to plan ahead and pack some lunch and plenty of water. Return to Top
May 10, 2023: Walk 28.2km from Los Arcos to Logroño. The trail now crosses into the Spanish wine region of La Rioja, beginning fairly flat, but as it approaches Viana developing some steep ups and downs. The walk into Logroño may feel charmless and bleak. Even so, each successive town offers its rewards. Torres del Río for coffee, Viana for lunch, and Calle Laurel in Logroño for a delicious tapas dinner if you have budget and are in the mood to explore. Return to Top
May 11, 2023: Walk 28.2km from Logroño to Nájera. The first part of the walk is very pleasant as it follows a pedestrian walkway to a quiet reservoir. Some road-walking before and after Navarrete takes away some of the charm, but the extravagant retablo of the parish church at Navarrete is an unforgettable spectacle. Venture into Nájera’s old quarter for an intriguing exploration into Spanish history. Return to Top
May 12, 2023: Walk 22.1km from Nájera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada. A relaxing stage that gently undulates among shallow valleys and low ridges, filled at first with vineyards then with wheat fields. At stage end is Santo Domingo de la Calzada, one of the Camino’s iconic towns with a long history of pilgrim service. Return to Top
May 13, 2023 Walk 22.5km from Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Belorado. In spite of following alongside the N-120 highway, this stage has many advantages – beautiful views of rolling hills and frequent stops at tiny villages. The many villages are more convenient than memorable, until sweet Belorado, a charming if decrepit riverside town with many pilgrim services. Return to Top
May 14, 2023 Walk 30.2km from Belorado to Atapuerca. Today’s stage begins along the route of the N-120 highway surrounded by flat fields of grain until Villafranca Montes de Oca where it climbs through forests over the Montes de Oca to San Juan de Ortega. San Juan de Ortega sports an historic monastery, and a very pleasant walk ends at Atapuerca, home to a UNESCO archeological dig site. Return to Top
May 15, 2023 Walk 20.6km from Atapuerca to Burgos. After the climb of 150m to Cruz de Atapuerca the day is a gradual downhill jaunt, with scenic and cosmopolitan Burgos at stage end. A poorly marked option at the Burgos airport allows pilgrims to choose between an industrial entry to the city via the official route, or a more relaxed entry along a riverfront park. Return to Top
May 16, 2023 Rest Day in Burgos. Enjoy tours of the stunningly ornate Burgos Cathedral and the historic hilltop fortress above town. Extra credit for those curious enough to see one of the best archaeological museums anywhere at the Museum of Evolution (Option 1.b concludes the next morning). Return to Top
May 17, 2023 Walk 20.9km from Burgos to Hornillos del Camino. Burgos quickly fades into the background and the vast scale of the Meseta now becomes clear. Towns are fewer and smaller, but their connection to the medieval Camino becomes more evident. Return to Top
May 18, 2023 Walk 20.2km from Hornillos del Camino to Castrojeriz. Today’s topography includes one of the Meseta’s few memorable hills, and the walk is quite free of shade. Return to Top
May 19, 2023 Walk 25.4km from Castrojeriz to Frómista. The wide horizons of this stage plus the topography fill it with unforgettable images, particularly of views going up and down the steep Alto de Mostelares just after Castrojeriz. Other than a few very scattered and tiny towns, this region is empty of most everything except fields and wind farms. Return to Top
May 20, 2023 Walk 19.3km from Frómista to Carrión de los Condes. The day consists mostly of gravel trails alongside the quiet P-980 highway. Ample services at regular intervals allow plenty of options for food and drink, while the architectural gems in Villalcazar and Carrion de los Condes delight the devout, the historian and the artist. Return to Top
May 21, 2023 Walk 26.4km from Carrión de los Condes to Terradillos de los Templarios. The vast wilderness of grainfields between Carrion de los Condes and Calzadilla de la Cueza marks one of the longest stretches of Camino without formal services (although there is an informal bar partway). Return to Top
May 22, 2023 Walk 14.5km from Terradillos de los Templarios to Sahagún. The track gradually rises and then descends across gently undulating farmland planted mostly with grain and sunflowers. On this stage, at Calzada del Coto, pilgrims are faced with the choice of a shaded, better-serviced and manicured walk under plane trees or the desolate-but-beautiful Roman road option. The mid-sized town of Sahagun offers important services to help prepare for the spare, tiny villages ahead that infrequently dot the vast landscape. Return to Top
May 23, 2023 Walk 30.7km from Sahagún to Reliegos. Walk along flat fields and through small, agricultural villages in former sheep raising territory, now spread over with large farms. Return to Top
May 24, 2023 Walk 25.2km from Reliegos to León. An ambivalent stage as the tranquil farms and fields are left behind for the hectic but vibrant and engaging provincial capital of León. While Friday and Saturday nights bring youthful partygoers to its historic heart, delicious tapas can be found any evening in the Romantico and Humedo quarters of this energetic mid-sized city. Return to Top
May 25, 2023 Rest Day León Enjoy Leon’s spectacular Gothic cathedral or enjoy its public market and many small shops in the central historic area (Option 1c concludes the next morning). Return to Top
May 26, 2023 Walk 21.2km from León to Villar de Mazarife. Although the official track follows the N-120 on a roadside path through Villadangos del Paramo, the Villar de Mazarife option is the more tranquil choice. Return to Top
May 27, 2023 Walk 31.9km from Villar de Mazarife to Astorga. From Hospital de Orbigo, the Meseta’s vastness is replaced with rolling hills, scrublands, and only the occasional field of grain. The climb to Astorga is the official end of the Meseta, and the town serves as gateway to the Montes de León just beyond. Return to Top
May 28, 2023 Walk 25.7km from Astorga to Foncebadón. The Meseta’s wide views now fade into memory and are replaced by vistas of mountains and forests. The long and gradual uphill can almost convince you that you are not climbing into the mountains. However, just before Rabanal the path heads more steeply upward, continuing up to Foncebadon and the summit just beyond. Return to Top
May 29, 2023 Walk 26.9km from Foncebadón to Ponferrada. The walk includes some of the Camino’s most beautiful mountain vistas on paths that are often very pleasant, particularly with wildflowers in season. The highlight of the day may be Cruz de Ferro, with its tradition of contemplation and spiritual release. The unstable footing on the long downhill into Molinaseca makes the day’s middle half sometimes difficult, and the long, suburban walk after Molinaseca, although uninspiring, has the delightful center city of Ponferrada at its culmination. Return to Top
May 30, 2023 Walk 23.6km from Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo. The mostly flat stage can be described in three parts – the pleasant riverfront promenade out of Ponferrada; the walk among homes, gardens, villages and vineyards until Cacabelos, and then the not-so-pleasant walk along the highway until just shy of Villafranca del Bierzo. Wine drinkers will want to order a glass of the internationally famous Bierzo vintages. Plan a relaxing evening exploring the churches, castles, shops, restaurants and bars of lovely Villafranca. Return to Top
May 31, 2023 Walk 28.7km from Villafranca del Bierzo to O Cebreiro. This long uphill climb is gentle at first, but after La Herrerias becomes quite steep. Although the walk follows the old N-VI (Madrid–A Coruña highway) and shares the narrow valley with the A-6 freeway, the most common sound is the Valcarce River as it makes its way noisily downhill to the accompaniment of songbirds and, well, the occasional belch of a diesel truck groaning up the valley on the freeway above. The climax comes at touristy O Cebreiro, first town of Galicia and an introduction to the unique history of this northwest Spanish region. Return to Top
June 1, 2023 Walk 21.2km from O Cebreiro to Triacastela. A day of sweeping views during steady up- and downhill climbs, almost entirely on paths of dirt and gravel. A steep climb to Alto do Poio is followed by sometimes-steep descents to Triacastela. Return to Top
June 2, 2023 Walk 17.3km from Triacastela to Sarria. A short and pretty stage that climbs over a forested ridge before descending into the valley of the Sarria River on a mixture of quiet country roads, sunken paths and forest trails. Return to Top
June 3, 2023 Walk 23.0km from Sarria to Portomarín. A mellow day among pastures, stone fences and cornfields, bookended by a tall staircase at the beginning and another at the end. The highlights are the medieval churches along the way. Return to Top
June 4, 2023 Walk 25.3km from Portomarín to Palas de Rei. But for a few diversions onto forest paths, today’s walk takes a business-like trajectory on roadside pathways and through small dairy-centered villages.Return to Top
June 5, 2023 Walk 29.6km from Palas de Rei to Arzúa. Although today’s route hugs the path of the N-547 highway, the Camino track touches it only near the settlements, allowing for pleasant walking on well maintained trails among pastures, cornfields and gardens. Highlight of the day is the old town of Melide, with its restaurants, bars and shops.Return to Top
June 6, 2023 Walk 19.7km from Arzua to O Pedrouzo. An easy day of minor climbs and descents through countryside and villages with the ever-present N-547 highway as companion and sometime daunting obstacle. Small dairy farms and tracts of eucalyptus trees cover the low, rolling hills which are dotted with ample rest stops, although there are few villages of interest. Fountains and cafes make for an easy walking day with little preparation necessary.Return to Top
June 7, 2023 Walk 20.0km from O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela. A surprisingly green and peaceful entry into urban Santiago – at least until the final 5km which wind along seemingly never-ending city streets. Two tall hills make the day a moderate workout. The view from Monte do Gozo and the final entry into Praza do Obradoiro can be a deeply emotional climax to a week, a month or season of walking toward this historic pilgrimage destination. Return to Top
June 8, 2023 Rest Day in Santiago de Compostela Explore the Cathedral, obtain your compostela certificate or just hang out in Plaza Obradoiro and welcome other pilgrims as they arrive (Option to continue to Finisterre) Return to Top
Terms and Conditions
At registration, all participants must affirm that they have read and understood the Terms and Conditions listed below:
Nature of Pilgrimage and Accommodations: Pilgrim Paths organizes religious and cultural travel itineraries in the pilgrimage walking tradition. Accommodation prices are generally hostel (Albergue), hostel with private rooms, and small hotels (three star or less). Return to Top
Participant Responsibilities: As a member of a Pilgrim Path walking group you have responsibility to Pilgrim Paths and to other group members, including:
- Selecting a walk appropriate to your physical abilities and being in sufficient good health and fitness to complete the walk. If you have any medical or physical conditions that are likely to affect your capability to do this walk, or adversely affect the experience of other participants, you must submit a letter from your medical doctor stating that you are capable of participating in this walk.
- Preparing for your walk by reading all the information on the website and material sent to you by Pilgrim Paths, especially that relating to the daily walking stages, accommodation, transport and the role of the Group Leader.
- Respecting the other members in your group, especially the Group Leader, as well as the laws, customs, traditions and culture of the areas visited.
- Speaking directly to the Group Leader is something goes wrong. Complaining to other group members can create a negative environment and spoil the tour for other members.
At the Group Leader’s discretion, a member may be asked to leave the group if the leader feels that the person´s further participation may be detrimental to other group members or to the individual. Return to Top
Passports and Visas: Participants must carry with them a valid passport with the necessary visa as required by the laws of the nation being visited. Any information from Pilgrim Paths regarding visa applications is only a guideline. The participant is responsible for all necessary visa and legal documentations, noting that European Union (Schengen) visa requirements apply and may vary depending on the country of origin. Return to Top
Photography: I hereby grant Pilgrim Paths permission to use my likeness in photograph(s) in any publications or publicity materials (including but not limited to books, newsletters, videos and Web use), in perpetuity. I will make no monetary or other claim against Pilgrim Paths for the use of the photograph(s). Return to Top
Price: The published price per person includes only ground transportation published on the itinerary (from starting point to ending point of the walk only). The price does not include airfare, meals each day (estimate €25/day), recommended travel insurance, personal expenses, or anything not expressly stated on the itinerary. Tips for the tour leader and assistant are not encouraged, but a tip for the in-country hiking guide, when part of the tour, is often expected. Return to Top
Payment Information: A deposit of 33% is required to secure a reservation and $500 is non-refundable but transferable to another Pilgrim Paths itinerary. The final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. Payment can be made by e-commerce site (with additional fees), personal check or money order. Trip prices and costs are listed in EUR and translation to other currencies is based on Yahoo Finance conversion rates, which fluctuate daily. Refunds are made in EUR and the value of a deposit or payment may change in comparison to the currency of origin on a daily basis. Return to Top
Cancellations: Minimum group size is 8 participants. If an itinerary fails to meet its minimum, Pilgrim Paths may cancel the group up to 90 days before departure. Return to Top
If a participant cancels 90 days or more before departure, all payments will be refunded except $500 of your deposit which is transferable to another trip with Pilgrim Paths adventure. If the cancellation is made fewer than 90 days before departure, the following non-refundable charges are added to the $500 withheld by Pilgrim Paths:
- 25% 31-90 days before departure
- 50% 15- 30 days
- 75% 8- 14 days
- 90% 4- 7 days
- 100% at 3 days or less, no-show, interruption
These mandatory charges are included in order to cover the cost to Pilgrim Paths of subcontractors who have required advance payment in order to confirm bookings. Other terms and conditions may apply at registration. Return to Top
Release and Assumption of Risk: I hereby acknowledge and agree to the following: I have been informed of and I understand the various aspects of the self-guided tour I have selected including, but not limited to, travel, itinerary, logistics, cancellation, and related activities. I also understand that as a Participant in the self-guided tour, I may sustain serious personal injuries, illness, property loss or damage, or even death as a consequence of the actions, inactions or negligence of myself or others, travel, weather conditions, and other risks not known to me or not reasonably foreseeable at this time. I further understand and agree that any such injuries and consequences that I may sustain by any means are my sole responsibility. Return to Top
I understand there are potential risks inherent to my participation in the self-guided tour and these potential risks include, but are not limited to: travel to and from the self-guided tour; local travel within the region specified in the tour; consumption of food; weather conditions; language barriers; contagious diseases; terrorism; negligent first aid operations or procedures; and other risks that are unknown at this time. Although Pilgrim Paths has made every reasonable effort to assure my safety while participating in the self-guided tour, there are unavoidable risks. I understand that Pilgrim Paths is not in any way responsible for my wellbeing with respect to any travel destinations and/or participation in activities beyond those specifically required or that I may choose to undertake before, during, or after the self-guided tour. I knowingly and voluntarily assume all such risks, both known and unknown, even if arising from the negligence of the Released Parties (described herein) and I voluntarily assume full responsibility for my participation in the self-guided tour. Return to Top
I understand and agree that, although Pilgrim Paths will attempt to maintain the self-guided tour as described in its publications, it reserves the right to change the program including, but not limited to, the travel arrangements, or accommodations at any time and for any reason, with or without notice, and that Pilgrim Paths, or its employees and agents, shall not be responsible or liable for any expenses or losses that I may sustain because of these changes. Return to Top
I have no known physical or health-related reasons or problems that may preclude or restrict my participation in the self-guided tour and related activities, or I have disclosed to Pilgrim Paths any physical, mental, and/or emotional conditions or problems, permanent or temporary, including special dietary and medication needs, or the need for visual or auditory aids that might impair my ability to participate in the self-guided tour. I hereby release each of the Released parties from any and all claims, damages, injuries, or loss arising out of my failure to disclose such conditions or problems. Return to Top
I further agree that receiving any inoculations (if necessary) is my responsibility and I will not hold Pilgrim Paths liable for any adverse reactions as a result of taking the inoculations or illness abroad or at home due to not taking the inoculations. I will make all preparations necessary to safeguard my health and comply with all recommended precautions pertaining to my health and safety. I have further arranged, through insurance or otherwise, to meet any and all needs for payment of health care coverage or medical costs that I may incur while I participate in the self-guided tour. Return to Top
I understand and agree that Pilgrim paths reserves the right to dismiss me from the self-guided tour at any time should my actions or general behavior, in the sole discretion of Pilgrim paths, be determined to constitute a danger to myself or others.
In consideration and acceptance of the risks associated with international travel, I hereby release, indemnify, hold harmless and covenant not to sue Pilgrim Paths, and any other person involved with the self-guided tour (“Released Parties”), either directly or indirectly, release from all claims, suits, expenses, attorney fees and demands of any nature (including negligence) caused by, deriving from, or associated with my participation in this self-guided tour and related activities, including the travel to and from the tour or to any events associated with this Program. Return to Top
I make these covenants, release and waivers knowingly and voluntarily. It is further understood and agreed that these Terms and Conditions are to be binding on my heirs and assigns and I sign it of my own free will. Return to Top