Camino Francés
Description
- Name Camino Francés
- Length of trail 800 km, 497 miles
- Length in days 32 days
- Start of trail Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port / Roncesvalles
- End of trail Santiago de Compostela
- Traildino grading EW, Easy walk, nature trail


Camino Francés (GR65), Roncesvalles / Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port - Puente la Reina - Santiago de Compostela, 800 km, 32 days
This is the classical and most popular Way of St. James, running from the Pyrenees through the plains of northern Spain to Santiago de Compostela. It all began here. Nowadays, there are hundreds of waymarked Ways of St. James, some 30 in Spain alone. The classical Camino Francés is an easy path. If you like mixing with scores of other pilgrims, this is still your best bet. If you are more the type of a lonely hiker, there are better alternatives, like the coastal route.
The path has also an official GR number in Spain: GR65 Camino de Santiago. Note that there is also the GR65-5 in Catalunya (Camino de Tarragona) and the GR65-3 in the central Pyrenees (Camino Aragonés).
Visit Traildino's overview page for the Way of Saint James / Camino de Santiago.
Opinions

- Hubert Sdun July 2016
- Rate 9
- Positive I liked the albergues and the people I met there. The cities placed on the French Way are also very beautiful and altogether it's a cool adventure.
- Negative Pretty high temperature in the summer.

- ZoradeRuig June 2016
- Rate 8
- Positive Nature and ambience
- Negative Crowdy

- Hiking Is Good April 2013
- Rate 8
- Positive Walking through Spanish diverse countryside which is slightly changing every day and just enough to find yourself every week in completely differente landscape
- Negative Albergues could be full especially in the summer months

- ZdendaB August 2015
- Rate 9
- Positive Scenery, pilgrims, food, sun, hot :-)
- Negative Sometimes, the sun was too hot (I was there in August)
Hike Reports
Links
Facts
- El Camino de Santiago - Caminos a Santiago - Camino Frances (Spanish)
The Spanish (federation of) Confraternity(ies) of Saint James has good intro pages for the different Caminos, often with spelled out itineraries, services, lodgings etc. It's in Spanish.
- Jakobsweg in Spanien (Camino Francés) (German)
Detailed day to day description with map and GPX.
- Camino Francés Overview
Introduction and links, by the American Pilgrims on the Camino
- Che Koala
Ever wondered how to get that 'celebrity' pilgrim feeling? - slow walk the el camino pushing a wheeled zimmerframe/walker...
- El Camino Francés | Guía del Camino de Santiago | EROSKI CONSUMER (Spanish)
Detailed description of this Way of Saint James: lodging, monuments, map, day to day itinerary etc.
- French Way - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Guía del Camino de Santiago :: Gronze.com (Spanish)
Gronze.com is a spanish website with maps and route descriptions and spicy adds.
- Overview: the Camino Francés
The confraternity of Saint James issued many guides. Some are available on-line. Their website gives additional information per route.
- The Camino Frances
The Camino Frances is an (almost) 800km route, leading from St Jean De Pied De Port in France to Santiago in Spain.
- The Walking Pilgrim - Camino Francés
Peter Robins' ultimate reference website "The Walking Pilgrim".
Reports
- Restless Adventurer - Backpacking the Camino de Santiago
An American in Europe. Big G walked from Toulouse to Santiago and made many friends. Here is his trail journal, his photo's, gear list.
- 10 Reasons Why El Camino Santiago Sucks | Spain Trails | Travels | Francis Tapon
Francis Tapon was not too happy walking to Santiago de Compostella. "El Camino Santiago (The Way of St. James) is the most overrated long distance trail in the world". He explains why.
- Drei Caminos und ein Vorspiel im Sand (Camino Francés, Finisterre, Portugués) (German)
- El Camino Santiago or the Way of St James | Spain Trails | Travels | Francis Tapon
Francis Tapon hiked the big scenic trails in the US. So, what does he think of the Way of St James?
- Pelgrim Frans | De 2e wandeling van Frans richting Santiago (Dutch)
The second time Frans walked to Santiago, starting in the Netherlands, following the Via Lemovicensis or the GR654.
- The CAMINO de SANTIAGO: Hiking the Way of St. James Across Spain
Brandon Wilson's how-to essay about hiking the Camino de Santiago, a popular pilgrim's route across northern Spain.
- Wir Pilgern auf dem Jakobusweg (German)
Short descriptions by Thekla Schrange and Aloys Schafer of their walks along the Camino over the years.
Guides and maps
Lodging
Organisations
Tour operators
- Hillwalk Tours - Camino Frances Hiking Tours
Hillwalk Tours offer self-guided hiking tours along the last 160kms of the Camino Frances - the most popular of all the ancient routes of the world-renowned Camino de Santiago.
GPS
Other
Books

United Kingdom
- Walk Together and Take Care of One Another
- Our Time on the Camino Frances Read more

United Kingdom
- Camino de Santiago. Guia del Camino Frances
- Informacion basica de las etapas a pie, alojamientos y servicios. Read more

United Kingdom
2013
- The Way of St James - Spain
- Pyrenees-Santiago-Finisterre Read more

United Kingdom
- Drawn Down the Way
- A journey along the Camino Frances in sketches Read more

United Kingdom
2018
- Camino de Santiago Maps
- Camino Frances: St. Jean - Santiago Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
2018
- Wandelkaart Camino de Santiago Maps, | Village to Village Press
- Camino Frances: St. Jean - Santiago Read more

United Kingdom
2020
- Camino de Santiago: Camino Frances
- Guide and map book - includes Finisterre finish Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
2020
- Wandelgids - Pelgrimsroute Camino de Santiago - Camino Frances | Cicerone
- Guidebook and map book to walking the 784km Camino Frances from St Jean-Pied-de-Port in southern France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, including an additional route to Finisterre. Split into 6 sections and 36 customisable stages, the guide lists over 500 pilgrim hostels. The map book covers the entire route, which can be walked in 4-5 weeks. Read more

United Kingdom
2020
- Camino de Santiago
- Camino Frances: St. Jean - Santiago - Finisterre Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
2020
- Wandelgids Camino de Santiago, Camino Frances | Village to Village Press
- Camino Frances: St. Jean - Santiago - Finisterre Read more

Netherlands
- Each Step Is the Journey
- The origins of the Camino de Santiago cannot be found in books. Its story is woven from legends and myths told by the ancients over the centuries and retold by pilgrims. Those who answer its call are often in search of a greater good, a more powerful truth, a fuller understanding. But what is its true meaning? What can this age-old pilgrimage ... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- Each Step Is the Journey
- The origins of the Camino de Santiago cannot be found in books. Its story is woven from legends and myths told by the ancients over the centuries and retold by pilgrims. Those who answer its call are often in search of a greater good, a more powerful truth, a fuller understanding. But what is its true meaning? What can this age-old pilgrimage ... Read more

Netherlands
- Sarria a Santiago (Versione Italiana)
- Questo libro fornisce una guida completa per pianificare il vostro pellegrinaggio da Sarria a Santiago di Compostela. Esso contiene dettagli di 120 albergues (ostelli del pellegrino) compreso l'indirizzo, numeri di telefono, email, indirizzo web, gli orari di apertura e le coordinate GPS. Contiene suggerito mappe passeggiate quotidiane cosi... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
- Sarria a Santiago (Versione Italiana)
- Questo libro fornisce una guida completa per pianificare il vostro pellegrinaggio da Sarria a Santiago di Compostela. Esso contiene dettagli di 120 albergues (ostelli del pellegrino) compreso l'indirizzo, numeri di telefono, email, indirizzo web, gli orari di apertura e le coordinate GPS. Contiene suggerito mappe passeggiate quotidiane cosi... Read more

Netherlands
2017
- Spanien: Jakobsweg Camino Primitivo
- Durch die Berge Asturiens und Galiciens führt der Camino Primitivo von Oviedo Richtung Santiago de Compostela. Das Buch beschreibt den Verlauf des ca. 320 km langen Jakobswegs bis Melide, den Weiterweg des Camino Francés bis Santiago und die anschließende Strecke nach Finisterre. Alle Beschreibungen wurden ebenso wie die genauen Angaben zu... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Belgium
2017
- Spanien: Jakobsweg Camino Primitivo
- Durch die Berge Asturiens und Galiciens führt der Camino Primitivo von Oviedo Richtung Santiago de Compostela. Das Buch beschreibt den Verlauf des ca. 320 km langen Jakobswegs bis Melide, den Weiterweg des Camino Francés bis Santiago und die anschließende Strecke nach Finisterre. Alle Beschreibungen wurden ebenso wie die genauen Angaben zu... Read more

Netherlands
2018
- Wandelgids - Pelgrimsroute Camino Primitivo | Conrad Stein Verlag
- Das Buch beschreibt den Verlauf des ältesten, ca. 330 km langen Jakobsweg Camino Primitivo, den weiteren Verlauf des Camino Francés bis Santiago und den anschließenden Weg nach Finisterre. Der Weg über die Berge Asturiens und Galiciens gilt unter Insidern als eine reizvolle Mischung aus Pilgern und Bergwandern. Wenngleich der Weg heute über ein... Read more

United Kingdom
2007
- Camino de Santiago walking g. 42W Pyrenees to Santiago 2015
- The Rother walking guide to the Spanish Camino de Santiago has been so popular in such a short space of time that this new second edition has been prepared after only one year. In a total of 41 stages the whole of the Camino franc Read more
- Also available from:
- Stanfords, United Kingdom
- Bol.com, Netherlands
- Bol.com, Belgium
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

United Kingdom
2007
- Camino de Santiago
- The Rother walking guide to the Spanish Camino de Santiago has been so popular in such a short space of time that this new second edition has been prepared after only one year. In a total of 41 stages the whole of the Camino francés is described from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port via Roncesvalles, as well as the Aragon route from the Somport pass via... Read more

Netherlands
2007
- Camino De Santiago
- nThis walking guide deals with the whole of the Camino de Santiago (Camino franc s) from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela as well as the continuation to Finisterre and Muxfa on the Galician coast. The start of the Way of St. James is described from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port via Roncesvalles (Camino navarro) and also from the Somport pass... Read more

Belgium
2007
- Camino De Santiago
- nThis walking guide deals with the whole of the Camino de Santiago (Camino franc s) from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela as well as the continuation to Finisterre and Muxfa on the Galician coast. The start of the Way of St. James is described from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port via Roncesvalles (Camino navarro) and also from the Somport pass... Read more
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Netherlands
2019
- Wandelgids Camino de Santiago - Jakobsweg - Sint Jacobs route | Rother
- The Rother walking guide to the Spanish Camino de Santiago has been so popular in such a short space of time that this new second edition has been prepared after only one year. In a total of 41 stages the whole of the Camino franc Read more

Netherlands
2018
- Camino de Santiago - Village to Village Guide
- Since medieval times, more than a million pilgrims have followed the Way of St James across northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago. This guidebook contains all the informationyou need to walk the 800km (500 mile) Camino Frances and the 90km (55mile) Camino Finisterre. - Full colour detailed topogrphical stage maps of each days walk with free... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
2018
- Camino de Santiago - Village to Village Guide
- Since medieval times, more than a million pilgrims have followed the Way of St James across northern Spain on the Camino de Santiago. This guidebook contains all the informationyou need to walk the 800km (500 mile) Camino Frances and the 90km (55mile) Camino Finisterre. - Full colour detailed topogrphical stage maps of each days walk with free... Read more

Netherlands
2012
- Te voet naar Santiago de Compostela
- In deze gids vindt u uitgebreide en praktische informatie voor uw pelgrimstocht naar Santiago de Compostela. Het visuele karakter van de gids en de nauwkeurigheid van de kaarten bij elke etappe zorgen dat er geen twijfel ontstaat met betrekking tot de juiste richting. In de gids zijn ook etappeprofielen opgenomen zodat u van tevoren al weet hoe... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium

Belgium
2012
- Te voet naar Santiago de Compostela
- In deze gids vindt u uitgebreide en praktische informatie voor uw pelgrimstocht naar Santiago de Compostela. Het visuele karakter van de gids en de nauwkeurigheid van de kaarten bij elke etappe zorgen dat er geen twijfel ontstaat met betrekking tot de juiste richting. In de gids zijn ook etappeprofielen opgenomen zodat u van tevoren al weet hoe... Read more

Netherlands
2016
- Rother Wandelgidsen - Spaanse St. Jacobsroute
- Deze wandelgids beschrijft de Spaanse St. Jacobsroute in 41 wandelingen met betrouwbare routebeschrijvingen, gedetailleerde wandelkaarten en informatieve hoogteprofielen. Ook geeft deze wandelgids voor Spanje uitgebreide praktische informatie en beschrijvingen van bezienswaardigheden langs de wandelroute. Tips voor het plannen van de... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Belgium
2016
- Rother Wandelgidsen - Spaanse St. Jacobsroute
- Deze wandelgids beschrijft de Spaanse St. Jacobsroute in 41 wandelingen met betrouwbare routebeschrijvingen, gedetailleerde wandelkaarten en informatieve hoogteprofielen. Ook geeft deze wandelgids voor Spanje uitgebreide praktische informatie en beschrijvingen van bezienswaardigheden langs de wandelroute. Tips voor het plannen van de... Read more

Netherlands
2016
- Wandelgids - Pelgrimsroute Spaanse St. Jacobsroute | Elmar
- van de Pyreneeën naar Santiago de Compostela Read more
Maps

United Kingdom
- Way of St James / Camino de Santiago CNIG Overview Map
- Northern Spain on an overview map at 1:500,000 highlighting the course of the Camino Francés route of the Way of St James from the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela via Burgos and León. Published by Spain’s civilian survey organization as part of their set providing topographic coverage of the route at 1:50,000, the map is also available... Read more

United Kingdom
- Santiago de Compostella CNIG Topo 94
- Topographic coverage of mainland Spain at 1:50,000 in the MTN50 (Mapa Topográfico Nacional) series from the Centro Nacional de Información Geografica, the country’s civilian survey organization. The maps have contours at 20m intervals, enhanced by relief shading, plus colouring and/or graphics to show different types of terrain, vegetation or... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart - Topografische kaart 94 Santiago de Compostela | CNIG - Instituto Geográfico Nacional
- Topographic coverage of mainland Spain at 1:50,000 in the MTN50 (Mapa Topogr Read more

United Kingdom
- Camino de Santiago: Stages 1n/2n/3n/4n, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port/Puente la Reina 50K CNIG Map
- The Way of St James: Stages 1n/2n/3n/4n, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port/Puente la Reina, in a series of double-sided topographic maps at 1:50,000 from the Spanish civilian survey organization, overprinted with the route and sights, plus information of accommodation and other facilities, route profiles, etc.Each 1:50,000 map is double-sided and has... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart 1n-4n Camino Santiago de Compostella St-Jean - Puente Reina | CNIG - Instituto Geográfico Nacional
- The Way of St James: Stages 1n/2n/3n/4n, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port/Puente la Reina, in a series of double-sided topographic maps at 1:50,000 from the Spanish civilian survey organization, overprinted with the route and sights, plus information of accommodation and other facilities, route profiles, etc.Each 1:50,000 map is double-sided and has... Read more

United Kingdom
- The Way of St. James to Compostela: Spanish Section
- The main route of the Way of St James to Compostela across northern Spain presented at 1:100,000 on a durable, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Kompass, arranged as 26 separate strips, each with a route profile, plus additional street plans of central Logroño, Burgos, León and Santiago itself.The whole route is covered on 26 panels, each... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart - Pelgrimsroute (kaart) 133 Spanischer Jakobsweg | Kompass
- The main route of the Way of St James to Compostela across northern Spain presented at 1:100,000 on a durable, waterproof and tear-resistant map from Kompass, arranged as 26 separate strips, each with a route profile, plus additional street plans of central Logro Read more

United Kingdom
2010
- Camino de Santiago 50K CNIG Topo 11-Map Box Set
- The whole of Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela in a set of 11 maps: 10 double-sided topographic maps at 1:50,000 plus an overview map of northern Spain, published by the Spanish civilian survey organization.Each 1:50,000 map is double-sided and has four 57 x 35cm panels with full topographic mapping of the area through which the route... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
2010
- Pelgrimsroute (kaart) - Wandelkaart Camino Frances, wandelen naar Santiago de Compostela | CNIG - Instituto Geográfico Nacional
- The whole of Way of St James to Santiago de Compostela in a set of 11 maps: 10 double-sided topographic maps at 1:50,000 plus an overview map of northern Spain, published by the Spanish civilian survey organization.Each 1:50,000 map is double-sided and has four 57 x 35cm panels with full topographic mapping of the area through which the route... Read more

United Kingdom
- Caminos de Santiago / Ways of St. James on the Iberian Peninsula
- All roads leading to Santiago de Compostela in the Iberian Peninsula are represented on this Caminos de Santiago / The Way of St. James Map. Routes highlighted on a physical map of the Iberian Peninsula at 1:1,250,000 from IGN/CNIG, Spain civilian topographic survey organization. The base map with altitude colouring and relief shading provides... Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands

Netherlands
- Wandelkaart Camino de Santiago in Spanje | CNIG - Instituto Geográfico Nacional
- All roads leading to Santiago de Compostela in the Iberian Peninsula are represented on this Caminos de Santiago / The Way of St. James Map. Routes highlighted on a physical map of the Iberian Peninsula at 1:1,250,000 from IGN/CNIG, Spain civilian topographic survey organization. The base map with altitude colouring and relief shading provides... Read more
Walking holidays

United Kingdom
- Camino Stage 2 - Logrono to Burgos Self Guided Walking Holiday
- Stage 2 Camino - Logrono to Burgos 7 day and 6 night self guided walking holiday. Walk from Logrono, in the region of Rioja to the medieval city of Burgos on the second stage of the Camino. The first part of this stage is relatively easy and the landscape is dominated by vineyards, as you head towards Santa Domingo country roads dominate and... Read more

United Kingdom
- Full Camino - St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago Self-Guided Walking Tour
- Walk the full Camino Frances from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela. Walk the full Camino Frances (Way of St James) - a journey for the spirit and soul that millions of travellers complete year after year. Setting off from St Jean Pied de Port in the foothills of the Pyrenees, and finishing in Santiago de Compostela, you will enjoy... Read more

United Kingdom
- Camino Portugués: Final Stage - Tui to Santiago Self Guided Walking Holiday
- The final 110km of the Camino Portugués from Tui to Santiago. Walk the last 100km of the Camino Portugués from Tui to Santiago de Compostela. This final section of the walk takes you from Tui through the friendly region of Galicia in Northern Spain. Following country roads and woodland paths, you pass through wooded valleys, follow gentle... Read more

United Kingdom
- Camino Stage 1 & 2 - St Jean-Pied-de-Port to Burgos
- A 14 day & 13 night stage 1 & 2 St Jean-Pied-de-Port to Burgos self guided walking holiday. Walk the first two stages of the Camino from St Jean Pied de Port, which straddles the French and Spanish border, to the medieval city of Burgos. Crossing the Pyrenees your first day will undoubtably be the toughest day of the whole Camino. The steep... Read more

United Kingdom
- Camino Last 100km - Sarria to Santiago - 8 Days
- Walk the last 100km of the Camino Frances to Santiago de Compostela over 6 walking days. Walk the classic final stage of the Camino de Santiago, covering the last 100km of the Camino de Santiago over six walking days. This breaks up the longest day (usually 28km) between Palas de Rei and Arzua. By adding an extra night you will have more... Read more

United Kingdom
- Camino Stage 4 - Leon to O'Cebreiro Self Guided Walking Holiday
- Stage 4 of the Camino de Santiago takes you from the wonderful city of Leon to the quaint village of O'Cebriero. Walk from the beautiful city of Leon to O'Cebreiro on the Camino Frances. As you leave the plateau of Leon you will see the mountains up ahead as you head to Astorga. This part of the countryside is characterised by broom, heather,... Read more

United Kingdom
- Camino Stage 3 - Burgos to Leon Self Guided Walking Tour
- This section runs from Burgos to the wonderful city of Leon. Walk from the medieval city of Burgos to the beautiful city of Leon on the third stage of the Camino. Crop field dominate the landscape on the first part of this stage and there are not many trees in view. The river Pisuerga brings you in to Palencia and into the Tierra de Campos... Read more

United Kingdom
- Stage 1 - St Jean-Pied-de-Port to Logrono Self Guided Walking Holiday
- Walk the first stage of the Camino de Santiago from St-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Logrono. Walk the first stage of the Camino de Santiago, from St Jean which straddles the French and Spanish border, to Logrono in the famous wine growing region of Rioja. Undoubtedly the toughest stage of the whole Camino de Santiago, but one filled with rewards.... Read more