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Camino Frances: The Full Route - 40 Days
Camino de SantiagoCamino Frances

Camino Frances: The Full Route - 40 Days

40 Days
Challenging

Camino Frances: The Full Route - 40 Days

from £3,595 / person

Overview

Walk the full 812 kilometres of the Camino Frances from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Santiago de Compostela on this 40-day itinerary. Four rest days are included to recover and immerse you in the regions along the way.

Since the discovery of Saint James' tomb in the ninth century, pilgrims have been making this crossing, and the sense of history is palpable at every step. The iconic scallop shell markers guide the way across the French Pyrenees and through the rich cultural landscape of northern Spain, taking in the medieval centres of Pamplona, Burgos, León and Astorga before the final approach to Santiago's magnificent cathedral.

Whether walked for spiritual reflection, personal challenge or pure adventure, the full Camino Frances is a journey that stays with you long after the boots come off.

Highlights

  • Walk the full 812km of the Camino Frances route from St Jean Pied de Port to Santiago de Compostela
  • Explore and enjoy the culturally rich Spanish towns of Burgos, Leon, Sarria and Santiago with the added rest days
  • Hike across the French Pyrenees into the Basque Country
  • Drink a variety of Rioja red wines in Logroño
  • Visit the 16th-century town of Pamplona, a favourite of Ernest Hemingway
  • Discover ancient villages and medieval churches, including the architecture of Antoni Gaudi in Leon and Astorga
  • Spend each day walking alongside fellow pilgrims on this world-famous route

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What's Included

Accommodation

4-star Hotel (39 nights)

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers

Meals

38 breakfasts

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

5

Stroll Walking Grade

Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Steeper climbs and longer distances. You'll need good fitness and some hiking experience to fully enjoy these walks.

View Fitness Guide

34

Days on the trail

14-32 km

Average per walking day

22-1365 m

Gain per day

6/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

Nights are spent in small, family-run hotels and guesthouses that have been welcoming Camino walkers for many years. All rooms are ensuite, and the atmosphere is characteristically warm, with most fellow guests sharing the same journey.

Note: Single rooms are available but limited on this route. If travelling with others but requiring a single room, early booking is strongly advised. A single occupancy fee applies.


What You'll Eat

Breakfasts are included throughout the walk. Many of the accommodations have their own restaurants serving regional dishes with local ingredients, and dinners can be added as a supplement each evening if preferred. Lunches are yours to discover along the way — local cheeses, cured meats and the remarkable variety of breads found along the Camino make for a great midday spread.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking so we can inform your hosts. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and finishes in Santiago de Compostela. The most straightforward options for arrival are flying into Biarritz, with an onward train to Saint-Jean taking around one hour, or flying into Madrid and taking a three to four-hour train to Pamplona, followed by a two-hour bus to Saint-Jean. At the end of the walk, Santiago de Compostela has its own international airport with flights to destinations across Europe, as well as train connections to major Spanish cities.

This walk is available from March through to November. The Camino Frances is a lively route year-round, with local festivals and celebrations dotting the calendar from Galician literature festivals to the nationwide festivities of Semana Santa. Whenever you walk, there is likely something worth stopping for along the way.

This walk is graded challenging due to the sustained effort of walking 812 kilometres over 40 consecutive days rather than the technical difficulty of the terrain itself. The trails are well-defined and waymarked throughout by the iconic scallop shell markers, winding through open countryside, farm and forest tracks, hilltop villages and occasional urban stretches.

A typical day involves up to 30km with up to 500m of ascent and descent. The exception is day one, which involves a significant 1,200m climb crossing the Pyrenees.

An active lifestyle with a training regime of three to four times per week is recommended, and regularly walking back-to-back days in the lead-up to departure is strongly advised. Occasional adjustments to daily distances may be needed to align with accommodation, and you will always be notified in advance. Daily walk notes, maps and GPX tracks are provided throughout.

Travel insurance is required for all Stroll walking holidays, covering cancellation costs, loss of luggage and injury. For international trips, your policy must also include medical evacuation coverage. A cancellation fee applies if you cancel after your holiday has been confirmed. See the FAQ section for full details.

A detailed information pack and itinerary will be sent to you around six weeks before departure, covering everything you need to know for a seamless experience. In the meantime, our team is always on hand to answer any questions.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

July 2026

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Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Camino Frances reviews

Frequently asked questions

Your main luggage is transferred between accommodations each day, so you only need to carry a daypack on the trail. Bags must be left at the hotel reception by 9am — earlier if possible to avoid delays. The maximum weight is 20kg per bag in Spain and 13kg in France. Please do not attach items such as bags, umbrellas or footwear to the outside of your luggage as the transfer service cannot be held responsible for lost items. Broken wheels and handles are also not covered by the transfer service. If you are carrying valuables in your luggage, please let the transfer service know so they can take extra care.

Unfortunately, walkers cannot travel with the luggage. The information you are provided with has details for local taxi numbers, bus and train timetables should you wish to not walk on any day. Your accommodation hosts will also have up to date information and advice should you wish to travel to the next destination by local transport. As always, you can call us in the office should you need help during your walk.

Of course, please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to extend your time.

We don't allow children under the age of 16 to do this walk.

Absolutely. Many people choose to complete stages of the Camino as a solo walker. There are many people walking the route, and many of the overnight stays welcome hordes of walkers, which means you can choose to walk your own journey or join in the camaraderie of walking with others.

Subject to a single occupancy payment, single rooms are available. However, due to the limited accommodation single rooms might not always be available for every night of the tour, but we will let you know your options throughout the booking process.

Lugrono and Burgos are vibrant towns, which has been welcoming Camino walkers for centuries! Both Burgos and Legrono are great plalces to add a rest day.

Coverage is generally good in towns and populated areas along the route, though more remote and mountainous stretches can be patchy. Stroll provides GPX files that can be downloaded and viewed offline, making navigation straightforward even without reception. Always follow the Camino scallop shell waymarkers — the route is exceptionally well signed throughout.

Breakfast is included in your package each day. For lunch, dinner and personal expenses, a budget of approximately €35 to €50 per day is a reasonable guide. Pilgrim menus at local restaurants are a budget-friendly option and a genuine part of the Camino experience. Your budget should also account for snacks, drinks and any optional activities along the way.

Yes. While credit cards are widely accepted in larger towns, smaller villages, cafes and rural establishments often prefer or only accept cash. Carry a mix of both and withdraw cash in larger towns where ATMs are more readily available. The currency in both France and Spain is the Euro.

Shops, cafes and most services close during the afternoon siesta, typically from around 2pm to 5pm or later. Plan your lunch stops and any shopping around these hours to avoid being caught out.

Yes. As only breakfast is provided as part of your package, lunch and dinner are your own to arrange, giving you full flexibility along the route. Please advise us of any dietary requirements at the time of booking so we can inform your accommodation hosts. On check-in, reconfirm your requirements directly with reception. Pilgrim menus at local restaurants typically offer good variety and can usually accommodate common dietary needs.

The Camino passes through many significant religious sites, including cathedrals in Pamplona, León and Santiago de Compostela. Dress respectfully when visiting. Covering shoulders and knees is customary at most churches and cathedrals along the route.

Key items include comfortable and well broken-in hiking shoes or boots, a lightweight waterproof jacket, a hat, sunscreen and a 25 to 30 litre daypack. Walking poles are useful in the earlier mountainous stages but less necessary on the flatter terrain closer to Santiago. A basic first aid kit, including blister treatment, is strongly recommended. A full packing list will be provided after your booking is confirmed.

The Camino is a deeply personal journey and there is no single right way to walk it. Whether you take a taxi on a tough day, stay in a private hotel or simply walk at your own pace, what matters most is what you bring to the journey. Stroll is here to make your Camino as comfortable and memorable as possible, however you choose to walk it.

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The Camino Frances Experience

Wonder
Cross the Pyrenees from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles on the Napoleonic route
Admire León’s cathedral, Gaudí’s Casa Botines and Astorga’s Episcopal Palace
Stroll into Plaza de Obradoiro and Santiago’s majestic cathedral for your Compostela
Wellness
Camaraderie on the Camino - Strangers become family, silence becomes prayer, every step a pilgrimage of the soul.
Spend two nights in Santiago rest your tired legs and soak up the pilgrim atmosphere
Unwind in Santo Domingo’s former pilgrim hospital, now a luxury Parador
Nature
Panoramic valleys from Alto del Perdon and oak-beech woods beyond Roncesvalles
Heather, oak and far-reaching views on the climb to Cruz Ferro
Galicia’s green hills, eucalyptus woods and O Cebreiro’s stone houses