The Camino Francés is the most famous Camino Santiago Routes. It is also called The French Way and is one of the many Ways of St. James.
It runs over 800 kilometers through Spain. It begins in St. Jean Pied de Port on the French-Spanish border. It ends in Santiago de Compostela. In total, you need around 5 weeks to complete the pilgrimage.
One of the special features of this Way of St. James route are the varied regions and landscapes that you cross. Well-known writers, such as Paulo Coelho, have already walked this route.
According to oficial pilgrim statistics from 2024, almost 50% – every second pilgrim – who arrives in Santiago chose the route of the Camino Francés. BUT:
„It is good to know that a lot of pilgrims walking the Camino Francés only walk the last 100 km from Sarria to Santiago. That means that the theory is wrong that the whole route from St. Jean Pied de Port to Santiago is overcrowded. A lot of the times it is only or mostly the last part which is very crowded.“
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Who is the Camino Francés for?
Beginners and new pilgrims like to choose this route due to the good infrastructure. This includes the fact that there are a lot of albergues and accommodations along the French Way.
„Mostly every 5 kilometres you can find an albergue so the minimum daily walking distance on the Camino Francés is very short – good for beginners and people who are not superfit.“
But those interested in culture and history also get their money’s worth on the Camino Francés: many sights, monasteries and other special buildings with cultural or historical background can be found along the way.
Not for whom?
For people who are looking for absolute solitude on the Camino de Santiago, this route could be suboptimal – especially in summer and on the last one hundred kilometers before Santiago.
What are the highlights of The French Way?
Like most other well-known routes, the Camino Francés route also leads through Spain. Pilgrims walk through well-known cities such as Pamplona, Leon and Burgos.
Also there a interesting stages like…
- the Meseta (desert-like area),
- or the stages through the vineyards
- and of course the – not so beginner-friendly – pyrenees at the beginning of the French Way.
Is there a map of the Camino Francés?
Where does it start?
The Camino Francés starts in St. Jean Pied de Port, on the border with France in the (north) east of Spain.
How long is it?
The Camino Francés is a good 800 kilometers long. It takes an average of five weeks to complete the entire route.
Which stages?
The Camino Francés is divided into over 30+ different stages. Due to the high density of hostels, the stages can be varied and you can improvise a lot. Even short stages are usually possible without any problems – except for the pyrenees which need a bit more planing to master.
What is the accommodation like on the Camino Francés?
The network of albergues for pilgrims is dense and large – so there is plenty of accommodation, which is due to the fact that this route also accommodates many pilgrims.
What is the altitude profile?
The altitude profile of the Camino Francés is of medium difficulty. There are easier, but also more difficult Caminos. The landscape and individual stages are varied. However, the very first stage is immediately very demanding.
When to walk?
Theoretically, you can walk this route all year round – except for the pyrenees and the mountains of leon which may be closed in winter. However, spring to fall are ideal. In summer, the Camino Francés can sometimes get crowded.
Which guidebook?
- The digital camino guide “Camino Francés for beginners” by Christoph Erkens is recommended as preparation.
- For the time during the pilgrimage, you could consult John Brierleys camino guide book for the French Way „A Pilgrim’s Guide to the Camino De Santiago„.
What equipment should I take?
The typical equipment for pilgrims on the Way of St. James is also required on the famous Camino Francés. This means: a well-fitting, not too heavy rucksack, well-worn hiking boots, everything else that belongs on the Way of St. James packing list.
Where can I get the pilgrim’s pass?
You can order the pilgrim’s pass for the Camino Francés in advance of your trip from the German St. James societies or online in some St. James Way stores.
How do I get there?
Many pilgrims travel by plane, e.g. via Bilbao, and then by bus and train to St. Jean Pied de Port, the official starting point of the Camino.