Camino - St Jean to Leon

Make your own way to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the 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 that you purchase supplies for lunch tomorrow as you will only pass one café/bar on the route. You should also collect your pilgrims stamp from the Pilgrim Office or Tourist Office.

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. Today is quite long - we recommend an early start. Distance: 25km/15.5mi 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

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.

Today you will start your walk on the historic Rúa Vieja out of Logroño, passing through the park of La Grajera to the village of Naverrete and the ruins of the 12th century San Juan de Acre pilgrim hospital. The Alto de San Antón offers great views then continue to Nájera. It's a long stage without steep slopes. Distance 30km/18.6mi Option to split this day and stay overnight in Navarrete - supplement applies and must be requested at time of booking. Distance Logrono-Navarrete 13km/8.1mi, Navarete-Najera 17km/10.5mi

From the Monastery of Santa Maria la Real, the trail continues to the hilltop town of Azofra, in the centre of the Cañas valley. After this it is an easy walk to the historic town of Santo Domingo de la Calzada, known for its legend of the Rooster and the Hen. Distance 21km/13mi

This stage of the walk is on fairly flat terrain, running parallel or near to the national road. Grañón, Redecilla del Camino and Castildelgado are just a few of the villages you will find along the way. Leave La Rioja and enter Castilla y León with its fields, mainly sown with cereals. Overnight in Belorado. Distance 22km/13.8mi

Today's walk is long and requires a considerable ascent to the Montes de Oca (1162m), but once there you will enjoy unbeatable views. Continue to San Juan de Ortega for overnight. Due to availability, overnight may be in Atapuerca further along the route, or at times in Villafranca Montes when return transfers are required (additional cost applies). Distance 24km/15mi (or 30km/18.8mi to Atapuerca)

This morning you will pass through a series of villages including Atapuerca to reach Burgos, with its impressive Gothic cathedral and the Monastery of Las Huelgas. Your accommodation is centrally located for ease of access to the many attractions in Burgos. Distance 27km/16.8mi (20km/12.5mi if you stay in Atapuerca)

The first stage of this Camino takes you into the rural Meseta landscape through vast fields of wheat, barley and oats. It's a peaceful walk via Tardajos to Hornillos. In the afternoon, a short transfer at 3pm (included) takes you to your accommodation in Isar. Distance 22.3km/14mi

A morning transfer (at 8.30am, included) will take you back to Hornillos to continue your Camino. Today's walk continues on the plain, with a couple of small hills along the way. Pass by wheat fields to Hontanas and the ruins of the Convent of San Antón. Finally along a flat stretch will see you arriving at the pretty village of Castrojeriz. Distance 21km/13.2mi

Today's walk is through a quiet, open landscape. Leaving Castrojeriz, the path leads uphill to the Alto de Mostelares, from where you will descend towards the river Piserga, the natural border of two typically Castilian provinces, Burgos and Palencia. Continue and from Itero de la Vega you follow the Canal de Castilla into the historic town of Frómista. Distance 26km/16.3mi

This stage takes you along quiet, flat trails bordering crop fields and through small towns such as Población de Campos, Revenga de Campos and Villalcázar de Sirga. Later you reach Carrión de los Condes, a heritage jewel with important monuments including the Church of Santa María del Camino and the monastery San Zoilo, now a hotel. Overnight in Carrion. Distance 19km/11.8mi

This stage is quite short, allowing you more time in Carrion de los Condes. The Camino opens onto a rural environment on today's straight stretch. Weather permitting, enjoy the silhouette of the Cantabrian Mountains in the distance. Cross the Cañada Real Leonesa, sometimes sharing the path with flocks of sheep, and make your way to the small village of Calzadilla de la Cueza. Distance 17km/10.6mi

From Calzadilla de la Cueza the first couple of kilometres are uphill. Continue through the towns of Lédigos, Terradillo de Templarios and Moratinos, before arriving at Sahagún. The Church of San Lorenzo dating from the 12th and 13th centuries and built in the Mudéjar style is interesting. You will have two nights here. Distance 23km/14.4mi

You will leave Sahagún by crossing the bridge over the river Cea. On arrival at Calzada del Coto the Camino divides into two paths. Follow the path to the left through Bercianos del Camino to reach El Burgo Ranero. In the afternoon, a transfer at 3pm (included) will take you back to Sahagún and your hotel. Distance 18km/11.2mi

This morning you transfer back to El Burgo Ranero (at 8.30am, included) to continue your walk. This stage leads you to Mansilla de las Mulas, not far from León. The route is a little more demanding than the previous days, as you head into the hills on a gradual, continuous ascent. There are very few villages along the way. Mansilla is where the two branches of the walk reunite. Distance 19km/11.8mi

Cross the bridge over the river Esla to leave Mansilla, and then the river Porma at Villarente. From the Alto del Portillo there are great views to the city of León, dominated by its cathedral. A short and steep descent will lead you into the city centre. Leon is one of the most historic towns of the Camino and in Spain. There is evidence of Roman occupation as well as the Moors; however it was the Knights Templar who built the castles and fortifications in the Middle Ages. Ensure you take time to visit the old city. One of Leon’s glories is without doubt the Cathedral. Constructed from the 13th Century for a period of 200 years the Collegiate Church of San Isidoro houses an impressive collection of early manuscripts. The town walls are of Roman and medieval construction. Overnight in Leon. Distance 18.6km/11.6mi

The trip concludes after breakfast. We can assist with booking extra nights on request - please ask for our rates.