Camino - Pyrenees St Jean Pied de Port to Logrono

Make your own way to St Jean Pied de Port, capital of the Basse-Navarre and the Pays de Aze. It is also one of the three remaining French provinces of the old Kingdom of Navarre. There is time in the afternoon to take a stroll along the cobbled streets and up to the town lookout. You can also explore the many arts and craft shops. We recommend purchasing supplies for lunch tomorrow as you will only pass one café/bar on the route.

The Camino begins with crossing the old Roman bridge over the River Nive. Today's walk is quite impressive as you climb towards the Franco-Spanish border. The first section you will be hiking through pastoral lands with impressive views of the Pyrenees. You will cross three cols today (including Col Lepoeder at 1430m), and this is quite an exposed stage so remember your hat, sunscreen and water. Arrive in Roncesvalles with its historic monastery, or continue to Burguete (dependent on availability). Today is quite long - we recommend an early start. An optional return transfer is available if you are booked at Burguete - please ask for our rates. We recommend an early start as today is quite long. Distance: 25km/15.5mi (28km/17.5mi if booked at Burguete) Option: It's possible to split this stage - walk to Orisson (7.5km) or Valcarlos then transfer back to Saint Jean for overnight, transferring back in the morning to recommence walking. A supplement applies for the return transfers plus an extra night in Saint Jean is required, must be requested at time of booking.

This stage offers Pyrenean landscapes and welcoming Navarrese villages with a Jacobean tradition. While the trail largely descends from Roncesvalles, there are two summits along the way - Alto de Mezkitirz and Alto de Erro. The villages you'll pass are quite small, surrounded by cultivated fields, animal barns and meadows, and there are lovely wooded areas of beech and oak. Continue to Zubiri, or if staying in Akerreta past the local quarry and the town of Larrasoana to your hotel. Distance: 23 or 28km /14.4 or 17.5mi

Today's walk has a few ups and downs however there is a shorter distance to cover. Continuing through the valley you follow the course of the Arga river and pass through Zuriain and other small towns such as Irotz where the 16th century Church of San Pedro is located, and up the side of Mount Narval to reach the Santa Marina Hermitage in Arleta. From Buriin, a village that disappeared in the 14th Century, there is a steep descent into Villava. The route then connects to Burlada and leads you to the final climb into Pamplona – a wonderful walk into this historic city. Dinner is not included tonight so you are free to sample the local pinxtos (tapas). Distance: 20km or 15km/12.5 or 9.4mi

A day to enjoy the sights of Pamplona and have a rest from the trail.

Leaving Pamplona you make your way to Puente la Reina, a city of museums. From Pamplona's main square, follow the Camino signs to navigate your way out of the city. The route takes you from the old town through parks in the modern part of the city before the landscape opens out. You can take a short detour that will allow you to view the octagonal chapel of Eucate, one of the Roman jewels of the trail of Aragon. A steep climb from Zariquiegui to Sierra del Perdón past wind farms takes you out of the Pamplona basin. Continue to Uterga and on to Puente la Reina. Distance: 24km/15mi

Leave Puente la Reina by crossing the medieval bridge. On this stage you will walk through the countryside with olive, almond and oak trees, following the Arga River. Reach the village of Mañeru and Cirauqui with its Roman road, then walk through a treeless landscape and vineyard on the way to Lorca. Continue through Villatuerta before arriving in Estella. A highlight here is the church of San Pedro de la Rúa. Distance: 21km/13mi

This stage allows a detour to discover the imposing Irache Monastery and its ‘Fuente del Vino' (wine fountain) – choose to fill your water bottles with wine or water! Today’s walk is mainly through open fields, you will not pass through any villages. Continue to Plaza de Santa María and the Iglesia de Santa María in the centre of Los Arcos and your hotel. This is a very small town with a couple of cafes/bars. Distance 22km/13.7mi

Your last day's walk passes many places of historic interest, leading from Navarre to the well-known wine centre of Rioja. Not far into the walk you will reach the village of Sansol where you can stop to buy some refreshments or lunch before heading to Viana, crossing the San Pedro River and continuing through farmlands and on to Logroño. Walk around the town before descending to the stone bridge which leads into Logroño. It is a beautiful city with a lively tapas district. Logroño has an annual wine festival. Harvest celebrations last all week and the main event coincides with the feast of San Mateo (St Matthew) on 21 September. Distance: 28km/17.4mi Option: It's possible to split this stage and stay overnight in Viana, continuing to Logroño the following day. A supplement applies, must be requested at time of booking. Distance: approx 18km/11.2mi to Viana and 10km/6.2mi the following day.

Trip concludes after breakfast. We can assist with booking extra nights on request, or you can continue your Camino to Burgos.