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
Rate
8.5 |
4 votes |
No 7. in Spain
- 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
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Drawn Down the Way
- A journey along the Camino Frances in sketches Read more
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2018
United Kingdom
2018
- Camino de Santiago Maps
- Camino Frances: St. Jean - Santiago Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2018
Netherlands
2018
- Wandelkaart Camino de Santiago Maps, | Village to Village Press
- Camino Frances: St. Jean - Santiago Read more
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2020
United Kingdom
2020
- Camino de Santiago: Camino Frances
- Guide and map book - includes Finisterre finish Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2020
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
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2020
United Kingdom
2020
- Camino de Santiago
- Camino Frances: St. Jean - Santiago - Finisterre Read more
- Also available from:
- De Zwerver, Netherlands
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2020
Netherlands
2020
- Wandelgids Camino de Santiago, Camino Frances | Village to Village Press
- Camino Frances: St. Jean - Santiago - Finisterre Read more
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Walk Together and Take Care of One Another
- Our Time on the Camino Frances Read more
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
United Kingdom
- Camino de Santiago. Guia del Camino Frances
- Informacion basica de las etapas a pie, alojamientos y servicios. Read more
The Book Depository
United Kingdom
2013
United Kingdom
2013
- The Way of St James - Spain
- Pyrenees-Santiago-Finisterre Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Von Calzada de Béjar nach Puebla de Sanabria
- Zugegeben: Wie bei vielen Pilgerschwestern und -brüdern fing die Inspiration auch bei mir mit Hape Kerkeling an. Sein Buch kam zum richtigen Zeitpunkt. Als ich es verschlungen hatte, wurde mir klar, dass auch ich bald mal weg auf dem Camino sein würde. Schon seit Monaten suchte ich beharrlich nach einem Weg aus der Krise. Der Jakobsweg hat mir... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Bol.com
Belgium
Belgium
- Von Calzada de Béjar nach Puebla de Sanabria
- Zugegeben: Wie bei vielen Pilgerschwestern und -brüdern fing die Inspiration auch bei mir mit Hape Kerkeling an. Sein Buch kam zum richtigen Zeitpunkt. Als ich es verschlungen hatte, wurde mir klar, dass auch ich bald mal weg auf dem Camino sein würde. Schon seit Monaten suchte ich beharrlich nach einem Weg aus der Krise. Der Jakobsweg hat mir... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Der spanische Jakobsweg
- Camino Francés von Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port nach Santiago de Compostela Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Bol.com
Belgium
Belgium
- Der spanische Jakobsweg
- Camino Francés von Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port nach Santiago de Compostela Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Pilgertipps & Packliste Jakobsweg
- Dieses Buch besteht aus drei Teilen - Der erste Teil beschreibt die Auswahl des Weges, der Reisezeit und gibt allgemeine Informationen uber den Pilgeralltag und die wichtigsten Aspekte des Pilgerlebens. Der zweite Teil beschreibt die notwendige Ausrustung detailliert und hilft, die richtige Kauf- und Packentscheidung zu treffen und im dritten... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Bol.com
Belgium
Belgium
- Pilgertipps & Packliste Jakobsweg
- Dieses Buch besteht aus drei Teilen - Der erste Teil beschreibt die Auswahl des Weges, der Reisezeit und gibt allgemeine Informationen uber den Pilgeralltag und die wichtigsten Aspekte des Pilgerlebens. Der zweite Teil beschreibt die notwendige Ausrustung detailliert und hilft, die richtige Kauf- und Packentscheidung zu treffen und im dritten... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
2015
Netherlands
2015
- The northern caminos
- This guidebook is a comprehensive, pocket-sized guide to walking the pilgrimage routes through northern Spain to the sacred city of Santiago de Compostela. The Camino del Norte is an 817km five-week coastal route from the town of Irún, close to the French border. Its alternatives are the Camino Primitivo (which splits from the Norte near Oviedo... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Bol.com
Belgium
2015
Belgium
2015
- The northern caminos
- This guidebook is a comprehensive, pocket-sized guide to walking the pilgrimage routes through northern Spain to the sacred city of Santiago de Compostela. The Camino del Norte is an 817km five-week coastal route from the town of Irún, close to the French border. Its alternatives are the Camino Primitivo (which splits from the Norte near Oviedo... Read more
Bol.com
Netherlands
Netherlands
- Camino Francés
- Die wohl bekannteste Variante des Jakobswegs nach Santiago de Compostela ist der Camino Francés, der französische Weg. Er startet in Frankreich am Fuße der Pyrenäen im malerischen Grenzstädtchen Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. In Spanien werden dann die autonomen Regionen Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla y León und Galicia durchquert. Dieser Bildband fängt... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Bol.com
Belgium
Belgium
- Camino Francés
- Die wohl bekannteste Variante des Jakobswegs nach Santiago de Compostela ist der Camino Francés, der französische Weg. Er startet in Frankreich am Fuße der Pyrenäen im malerischen Grenzstädtchen Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. In Spanien werden dann die autonomen Regionen Navarra, La Rioja, Castilla y León und Galicia durchquert. Dieser Bildband fängt... Read more
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
- Also available from:
- Bol.com, Belgium
Maps
Stanfords
United Kingdom
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
Stanfords
United Kingdom
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
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
Stanfords
United Kingdom
2010
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
De Zwerver
Netherlands
2010
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
Stanfords
United Kingdom
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
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
Stanfords
United Kingdom
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
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
Stanfords
United Kingdom
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
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
Walking holidays
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
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
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
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
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
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
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
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
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
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
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
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
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
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
Macs Adventure
United Kingdom
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