Camino de Santiago

A classic long-distance pilgrimage across northern Spain walked by thousands each year.

Time to Hike: About 780 km typically completed in 30-35 days at a steady pace with regular rest days.

Best Time to Go: Spring to early autumn - April to October are the main walkable months, with July and August busiest.

Getting there: Begin most commonly in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side and finish in Santiago de Compostela; many walkers travel east-to-west.

Costs: Budget travel is possible - municipal albergues cost a few euros and daily expenses often fall in a modest range; private hostels and hotel upgrades raise costs. No national permit fee is required but carry a pilgrim credential for albergue access and stamps.

Difficulty: Mostly moderate terrain with well-marked paths, occasional steep ascents such as the early Pyrenees crossing, long daily distances and common hazards of blisters, heat and rain.

The Camino de Santiago Frances crosses varied landscapes - from the steep green passes of the Pyrenees into the vineyards of La Rioja, the cereal plains around Burgos and the oak and eucalyptus woods of Galicia. Towns and villages supply regular services, with medieval cathedrals, Romanesque bridges and waymarkers at every stage.

Accommodation is dominated by pilgrim refuges called albergues - a mix of municipal, church-run and private facilities offering dorm beds and a social evening atmosphere. Highlights include the citadel city of Pamplona and the cathedral complex in Santiago de Compostela, plus smaller cultural stops like Logroño and León. The route’s long history and UNESCO recognition make it both a physical challenge and a cultural journey.

• Pyrenees Crossing (km 0-70) - From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port into Spain via the high route to Roncesvalles and on towards Pamplona. Expect steep gradients, exposed weather and some of the most memorable mountain walking of the whole Camino.
• Navarra and La Rioja (km 70-180) - Rolling hills, vineyards and classic Camino towns on the way through Pamplona and into Logroño. Waymarking is generally excellent, with plenty of villages for breaks and resupply.
• Meseta Approaches (km 180-360) - A long, steady run through open farmland and big-sky walking, anchored by the cathedral city of Burgos. Many pilgrims find this section mentally challenging rather than technically hard.
• The Meseta to León (km 360-470) - Wide paths, quiet roads and long straight stretches across the Spanish plateau to León. It is often hot and dry in summer, so early starts can make the days more comfortable.
• León to Astorga and the Mountains (km 470-560) - Leaving León you pass through smaller market towns and historic routes to Astorga. The terrain begins to rise again as you head towards higher ground.
• Cruz de Ferro and Bierzo (km 560-650) - One of the Camino’s emblematic points near Cruz de Ferro, then a descent into the greener valley landscapes around Ponferrada. You will see more woodland and changeable weather compared with the Meseta.
• Galicia: O Cebreiro to Sarria (km 650-720) - A shift to a cooler, greener feel as you enter Galicia, with stone villages, forest tracks and frequent short climbs, then on to Sarria. This is where the route often becomes noticeably busier.
• Final Approach to Santiago (km 720-780) - A well-serviced final section through hamlets, eucalyptus woodland and suburban edges into Santiago de Compostela. Many pilgrims time their arrival to reach the cathedral area in daylight.

The principal walking season runs April to October when stages are reliably passable and most albergues are open. July and August are hottest and busiest; spring and autumn offer cooler weather but more rain and fewer crowds.

No formal permits are needed to walk, but book private refuges in peak months and carry a pilgrim credential to use municipal albergues and collect stamps. Early season walkers should expect possible snow in the higher Pyrenees and regular weather changes in Galicia late in the year.

Major international access points for the route include flights into Bilbao or Santiago de Compostela; many walkers also arrive via train or bus from Madrid or French rail hubs to reach Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. From those airports take regional trains or buses to the nearest stage towns.

Most people start in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and walk westwards to Santiago de Compostela, though shorter starts such as Sarria are common for those aiming to complete the last qualifying 100 km for a Compostela certificate.

No hiking permit is required to walk the Camino Francés.

Most pilgrims carry a pilgrim passport called the Credential (Credencial del Peregrino), which you can buy from pilgrim associations, some churches, and many albergues and Camino-oriented shops. You collect stamps along the way, and if you meet the current requirements in place at the time of your walk, you can present the credential at the Pilgrims’ Office in Santiago de Compostela to request the Compostela certificate.

Accommodation is abundant on the Camino Francés, with a dense network of albergues (pilgrim hostels), plus pensiones, guesthouses and small hotels in most towns. Many walkers use a mix - albergues for the social atmosphere and budget, and private rooms for rest days or when they want more privacy.

In quieter stretches you can often decide on the day, but in peak season and in the final 100 km into Santiago de Compostela it is common for beds to fill, especially in popular stops like Sarria. Booking ahead is most useful for private accommodation and for specific towns you are set on reaching; otherwise, starting early and staying flexible usually helps.