Itinerary French Way Routes Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostela

You will arrive at Roncesvalles, one of the first places in history known for giving assistance to the pilgrims. Here you should make sure you visit the Collegiate Church of Saint Mary, from the 13th Century. It is also recomendable to visit St. James Chapel and the Chapel of the Holy Spirit, which is the oldest building in Roncesvalles.

Accommodation in Roncesvalles.

Breakfast in Roncesvalles.

On this first stage, you will pass by Burguete and Espinal, enjoying the beautiful countryside and the tradiitional houses in these villages. Soon before arriiving at Zubiri, you will cross the bridge over the river Arga (Puente de la Rabia).On the Way, you will have the chance to visit Larrasoaña, a nice village featuring the Church of Saint Nicholas of Bari and also a medieval bridge known as Puente de los Bandidos (Bandits' Bridge). Before arrving at Pamplona, you will pass by Trinidad de Arre, an ensemble formed by the medieval bridge over the river Ulzama and the ancient Basilica of Trinidad de Arre. Once you arrive at Pamplona, you can explore the city and visit its wonderful Cathedral.

Accommodation in Pamplona.

Breakfast in Pamplona.

Even though this stage involves going up Alto del Perdón, you will see the fruits of this labour once you reach the top, as it is a splendid viewpoint. Continuing the journey, you will arrive at Puente La Reina. Here you can see the magnificent Romanesque bridge over the river Arga, which is one of the most important landmarks on the Way.You will pass by many interesting villages, such as Mañeru and Cirauqui. This last one is located on top of a hill and has a beautiful medieval old town. Finally, in Estella, you will be able to enjoy its great historic and artistic heritage, featuring many churches, the Palace of the Kings of Navarra and the Convent of Santo Domingo.

Accommodation in Estella.

Breakfast in Estella.

From all the places you will see during this stage, we would like to highlight the Monastery of Irache, one of the oldest monasteries in Navarra. It used to be a Pilgrims' Hospital, but now it is a winery (Bodegas Irache). In Los Arcos, you should visit the medieval architectural ensemble and the amazing Church of Saint Mary (from the 12th Century).

On the last stage, you will leave Los Arcos and will head towards Logroño. On the Way, you will pass by two main villages: Torres del Río and Viana. On the first one, you will be able to visit the Church of the Saint Sepulchre. In Viana, you can see the Church of Saint Mary, both Gothic and Renaissance. Once you arrive at Logroño, take a look at the Co-cathedral of Santa María La Redonda, from the 15th Century. Make sure you also go for a walk and have some tapas in the famous Calle Laurel.

Accommodation in Logroño.

Breakfast in Logroño.

You will start the first stage from Logroño and towards Santo Domingo de la Calzada, a town of great significance on the history of the Way. On the Way, you will pass by Navarrete, a nice village known for its production of high quality wine. In Nájera, which used to be the capital of the Kingdom of Navarra, you will be able to visit the Monastery of Santa María La Real, an architectural ensemble of great value, and also the bridge over the river Najerilla, which gives access to the old town.Before arriving at Santo Domingo, you will pass by Azofra, a little village where you can visit the Church of Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles. Once in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, make sure you see the Cathedral from the 12th Century, which holds inside the tomb of the Saint.

Accommodation in Santo Domingo de la Calzada.

Breakfast in Santo Domingo de la Calzada.

Today you will leave La Rioja to enter Castilla y León, passing by a nice village called Grañón, the last one in La Rioja. Once you get to Belorado,you can visit theChurch of Saint Mary (from the 16th Century) and the Church of Saint Peter, as well as the Main Square, the most characteristic place in the village. This stage finishes at Atapuerca, a well-known town thanks to the magnificent archaeological site, one of the most important in Europe and also declared a World Heritage Site. On the Way, and soon before arriving at Atapuerca, you can also visit San Juan de Ortega, a little village which features a lovely Romanesque church.

Accommodation in Atapuerca.

Breakfast in Atapuerca.

You will depart from Atapuerca and head towards Burgos, arriving at the capital of this province. Burgos is a wondeful city and you need to make sure you visit the amazing Cathedral of Saint Mary, one of the most beautiful in Spain and declared World Heritage Site in 1984. You can also see the Gothic churches of Saint Stephen and Saint Nicholas, as well as the Monastery of Huelgas Reales.On your way to Hornillos del Camino, you will pass by some picturesque villages like Villalbilla, with a church dedicated to “Nuestra Señora de la Asunción”, and Rabé de las Calzadas, which is a village of medieval construction. From Rabé de las Calzadas you will walk 8 km to get to Hornillos del Camino. This is another typical village which used to have a pilgrims’ hospital.The church is the most significant building in the town, and it used to keep the statue of the Virgin of Rocamadour. Near this temple, you will find the pilgrims’ hostel.

Accommodation in Hornillos del Camino.

Breakfast in Hornillos del Camino.

Once you have left Hornillos, the typical wine cellars and some ruins will be the last constructions you see in this area. The Way goes through a poplar grove and follows a path, going up with no difficulties. Once you get to the top, you will start descending towards San Bol Valley.Hontanas is also a very well preserved village. Among its most important buildings, you have “Hospital de los Franceses”, which used to be a pilgrims’ hospital and now it is being recovered for the same use. The next stop is Castrojeriz, which preserves its medieval castle, as Burgos does too. You will also see Santo Domingo Church and San Juan Church, as well as the ruins of San Francisco Convent and Santa Clara Convent. During this stage, you will leave the province of Burgos and enter Palencia and its "Land of Fields". You will pass by Boadilla del Camino, where you should visit the Church of La Asunción. In Frómista, the main landmark is the extraordinary church of San Martín.

Accommodation in Frómista.

Breakfast in Frómista.

In this stage, you will get the chance to visit two interesting villages: Población de Campos, which has several temples of Romanesque style, and also Villalcazar de Sirga and its magnificent church of Santa María la Blanca. Once you arrive at Carrión de los Condes, make sure you visit the beautiful Monastery of San Zoilo, as well as its other landmarks.You will leave Carrión taking the N-120, crossing the river and leaving it on the left side of San Zoilo Monastery. Later on, you will follow the path known as Via Aquitania, which used to be an important Roman causeway. Finally, you will get to Sahagún. This town features many interesting landmarks such as the churches of San Tirso and San Lorenzo, as well as the bridge over the river Cea, called Puente de Canto.

Accommodation in Sahagún.

Breakfast in Sahagún.

You will leave Sahagún crossing Puente de Canto, over the river Cea. You will have the chance to choose between two routes to get to Burgo Ranero, as it is also possible to get there via Calzadilla de los Hermanillos. This route is also known as "Via Trajana". Leaving El Burgo, you will pass by a large pond and keep going on a road surrounded by trees, having the railroad line (León-Palencia) on your right. Soon, you will get to the beatiful town of Reliegos. Finally, you will arrive at Mansilla de las Mulas, a nice village located on the valley of the river Esla. Here you can visit the churches of Saint Mary and Saint Martin.

Accommodation in Mansilla de las Mulas.

Breakfast in Mansilla de las Mulas.

You will leave Mansilla de las Mulas by the famous medieval bridge over the river Esla and will continue walking towards León.In León you could visit such iconic places as the Cathedral, the “Barrio Húmedo” (tapas zone), the Main Square, the Collegiate Church of San Isidoro or the Contemporary Art Museum of Castilla y León.Today's stage is quite easy as you will cycle on flat paths, surrounded by crop fields. Between León and Villadangos del Páramo, there is a small town called La Virgen del Camino, where you can visit the Sanctuary dedicated to the Virgin.After Villadangos del Páramo you will arrive at Hospital de Órbigo. The main landmark in this town is the beautiful medieval bridge crossing the river Órbigo.

Accommodation in Hospital de Órbigo.

Breakfast in Hospital de Órbigo.

Leaving Hospital de Órbigo, once you reach Astorga,you can visit the Church of Santiago Apóstol (which dates from the late 17thCentury and the beginning of the 18thCentury); and, in Astorga, you could see both the Cathedral and the Episcopal Palace, but also the historic Roman legacy that still remains in this town. Moreover, you will be able to taste the traditional gastronomy, specially the “Cocido Maragato” (a typical stew from the area).

The stretch from Astorga to Rabanal del Camino, gives the pilgrim the opportunity to enjoy the amazing views of León Mountains and the Bierzo Region, some of the most beautiful landscapes in Castilla y León.

Accommodation in Rabanal del Camino.

Breakfast in Rabanal del Camino.

The stage for this day will be from Rabanal del Camino to Villafranca del Bierzo. Cycling this stretch, you will pass by Cruz de Ferro, a point to take into account on the Way by the pilgrims. In Molinaseca,you will have lots of interesting places to see (the Sactuary of Nuestra Señora de las Angustias, the Church of San Nicolás de Bari, the Bridge of the Pilgrims and the “cruceiro” of Santo Cristo).You will leave the beautiful town of Molinaseca and will continue the journey towards another magnificent village in the province of León: Villafranca del Bierzo. On the Way, do not miss the chance to visit Ponferrada and enjoy the charming places this town offers, such as Los Templarios Castle, the Basilica of Nuestra Señora de la Encina, the Main Square or the Clock Tower.Villafranca is the historic capital of El Bierzo, and it preserves its majestic appearance. In this town you can visit the Church of San Francisco, which has a beautiful Mudejar coffered ceiling, the Main Square and the Church of Santiago.

Accommodation in Villafranca del Bierzo.

Breakfast in Villafranca del Bierzo.

Today's stage is a challenging one, as you will need to ascend about 1000 m in order to get to O Cebreiro. You will cross the Valley of Valcarce and will keep cycling until reaching the first stop. Even though is a hard stretch, the outstanding views make this journey worth it.From O Cebreiro you will depart towards Triacastela. In Triacastela you can visit a church from the 11th Century and other temples located in the village.

Accommodation in Triacastela.

Breakfast in Triacastela.

Departing from Triacastela, the new stage will take you to Portomarín. On the way, you will be able to see the town of Sarria, which is the starting point chosen by many pilgrims to begin the Way, and it has remarkable buildings such as the Church of Santa Mariña, the Church of El Salvador and the Convent of Magdalena”. In Portomarín, which is located next to the River Miño, you will find the Chapel of “La Virgen de las Nieves”, the church-fortress of San Nicolás, the church of San Pedro and the Pazos of Conde da Maza and dos Pimentales.

Accommodation in Portomarín.

Breakfast in Portomarín.

Today’s stage will lead you from Portomarín to Arzúa. On the Way, you will have the chanve to visit Palas de Rei, which has a “concello” with a strong artistic heritage, as the Church of San Tirso, the Castle of Pambre and the Pazo of Ulloa can demonstrate. In Arzúa, you have the ancient Convent of Magdalena and the Church of Santiago.

Accommodation in Arzúa.

Breakfast in Arzúa.

Ready for the last stage, you will leave Arzúa heading to Santiago de Compostela. On the way, O Pedrouzo, the most important town before arriving at Santiago, offer some places to visit. It belongs to the “concello” of O Pino, where you will find the Chapel of San Irene. Once in Santiago de Compostela, you will have the opportunity to see an endless amount of landmarks. The main one is the Cathedral and the Square of Obradoiro, but that does not mean those are the only remarkable places, as it is also recommendable to take a stroll around the historic district, to taste the gastronomy and to visit some other iconic buildings such as the Catholic Monarchs Inn, the Monastery of San Martín Pinario or the Pazo of Raxoi.

Accommodation in Santiago de Compostela.