Camino Francés | Círculo Chileno

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From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port (France) to Santiago de Compostela. 33 stages. About 765 km.

The Camino Francés is the pilgrimage route with the longest tradition and the busiest of all: seven out of every ten pilgrims who arrive in Santiago come by this route. Many of the old European pilgrimage roads meet along its path, which made it, already in the Middle Ages, a true axis of civilization, culture and art.

Its route, its shrines and even details of the towns it passes through have been recorded since the 12th century in the Codex Calixtinus, considered the first travel guide to the Camino de Santiago. Although Saint Jean Pied de Port, in France, and Roncesvalles, already in Spanish territory, are today the most usual starting points, it is also possible to begin this route by crossing the border through Aragón, starting at Somport.

It is one of the longest routes to Santiago de Compostela: it crosses almost all of northern Spain over 33 stages, passing through towns with a long Jacobean tradition such as Santo Domingo de la Calzada and Astorga, and emblematic cities such as Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos or León. Its artistic and cultural wealth is extraordinary.

Active since the 9th century, when the discovery of the Apostle's tomb is placed, the Camino Francés took the route we know today toward the end of the 11th century. In recognition of its historical value, it was declared a World Heritage Site, received the Prince of Asturias Award for Concord in 2004, and was named by the Council of Europe as the first European Cultural Route.

The Camino Francés crosses France along four historic routes: Paris-Tours, Vézelay-Limoges and Le Puy-Conques, which enter Spain through Navarra, and Arles-Toulouse, which crosses the border at Somport.

Riding the Camino Francés by bicycle is also a very popular option. To obtain the Compostela it is enough to complete 200 kilometers, so the section most used by those who travel by bike is the one that joins León with Santiago.

Stages

Getting to the starting point

The main starting points are Saint Jean Pied de Port, Roncesvalles, León, Ponferrada or Sarria (from where you walk exactly the 100 kilometers needed for the Compostela).

Saint Jean Pied de Port: by train, the only direct line leaves from Bayonne (1 hour 20 minutes). By bus, companies such as Conda or Alsa link Pamplona or San Sebastián with Saint Jean Pied de Port, and also with Roncesvalles, from where you can take a shared taxi. The nearest airport is Biarritz, a little over 50 km by road.

Somport: from Madrid and Barcelona there is high-speed rail to Zaragoza, and from there daily regional trains to Jaca and Canfranc; you then need to continue by bus or other road transport. The company Alosa runs to Jaca from Zaragoza, Huesca and Pamplona, and from Jaca there are daily services to Somport. By car, almost 500 km separate Madrid from Somport (at least 5 hours 15 minutes, via the A-2).

León: it has two train stations (connections with Madrid, Barcelona, Galicia and the Cantabrian coast), daily Alsa services from the bus station, and an airport 6 km from the city with a flight to Barcelona.

Astorga: daily Renfe trains from Madrid, Barcelona, Pamplona, Burgos, León or Ponferrada, and daily Alsa buses.

Ponferrada: daily Renfe trains to Madrid, Santiago and León, and daily Alsa coaches from various points in Spain.

Sarria: it is one of the favorite starting points because from there you walk the 100 km needed for the Compostela. Renfe runs services with Madrid and Barcelona (with stops in Zaragoza, Pamplona, Burgos or León, among others) and there are commuter trains to Lugo. Freire and Monbús buses arrive from Santiago and Lugo.

Bus, train and airport links are on the Spanish page. With the 25 km of the Vía de los Andes validated, Chilean pilgrims need 75 km on foot in Spain to reach the minimum 100 km for the Compostela.