Full Description
Begin an unforgettable journey along the Camino de Santiago: Camino Francés, one of the classic routes of the Way of St James, crossing northern Spain from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the French Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela in Galicia. Covering 784km (487 miles) and typically completed in 4-5 weeks, this iconic pilgrimage is suitable for any reasonably fit walker and culminates at the tomb of St James the Apostle in Santiago's UNESCO-listed old town.
Expertly authored by well-known pilgrim The Reverend Sandy Brown, this comprehensive guidebook is the definitive companion for planning and walking the Camino Francés. Detailed route descriptions are supported by a separate map book featuring clear 1:100,000 mapping and the full route line marked, allowing pilgrims to immerse themselves in the history and landscapes of northern Spain, confident they have a reliable navigation guide in their pocket.
The long-distance trail is broken down into 36 stages, each between 17km and 36km (12-22 miles) in length, making it easy to tailor your walk to your fitness level and available time
An optional extension on the Camino Finisterre from Santiago de Compostela to Finisterre and Muxía on the Galician coast is also described, so you can continue on to the legendary "end of the earth"
Each stage includes clear stage-by-stage guidance, planning tables and pilgrim lodging listings, including albergues and other types of accommodation, giving you all the details you need to shape daily distances, start and finish points, and rest days
Downloadable GPX files add a digital navigation option for the entire Camino Frances, allowing you to follow the route on a smartphone or GPS device
Details on how to obtain your Compostela and pilgrim passport are included, with expert advice on where to begin the trail to meet the minimum requirement of walking 100km
Plan your Camino de Santiago with confidence using full route descriptions, downloadable navigation files and comprehensive maps — then let yourself be carried through the landscapes, heritage and unmistakable spirit of the Camino Francés. As the most popular Way of St James and one of the world's great long-distance pilgrimage routes, it invites you into a journey shaped by centuries of history, vibrant local culture and the experience of walking in the footsteps of pilgrims.
Contents
Contents
Map key
Map of the Spanish caminos
Overview map and profile
Route summary table
General introduction
What makes the Camino Franc&##xe9;s special?
History of the Camino de Santiago
Do I have to be religious to walk the Camino?
Planning your walk
Where to begin?
Where to end?
When to walk?
Where to stay?
What to eat?
How many days should I allow for the walk?
How do I plan my daily stages?
Should I make reservations ahead?
How much money should I budget?
How do I get to and from the Camino?
How do I secure my credencial and compostela?
Tips for making the most of your walk
Topography of the Camino
Preparing for the climates of northern Spain
Understanding local cultures
Training for your walk
What and how to pack
Baggage and storage services
Walking sticks and trekking poles
Health and well-being
Pilgrim etiquette
How to use this guide
GPX tracks
Section 1: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Pamplona
Stage 1 Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles
Stage 2 Roncesvalles to Zubiri
Stage 3 Zubiri to Pamplona
Section 2: Pamplona to Burgos
Stage 4 Pamplona to Puente la Reina
Stage 5 Puente la Reina to Estella
Stage 6 Estella to Los Arcos
Stage 7 Los Arcos to Logroño
Stage 8 Logroño to N&##xe1;jera
Stage 9 N&##xe1;jera to Santo Domingo de la Calzada
Stage 10 Santo Domingo de la Calzada to Belorado
Stage 11 Belorado to San Juan de Ortega
Stage 12 San Juan de Ortega to Burgos
Section 3: Burgos to León
Stage 13 Burgos to Hontanas
Stage 14 Hontanas to Boadilla del Camino
Stage 15 Boadilla del Camino to Carrión de los Condes
Stage 16 Carrión de los Condes to Terradillos de los Templarios
Stage 17A Terradillos de los Templarios to Bercianos del Real Camino
Stage 17B Terradillos de los Templarios to Calzadilla de los Hermanillos
Stage 18A Bercianos del Real Camino to Mansilla de las Mulas
Stage 18B Calzadilla de los Hermanillos to Mansilla de las Mulas
Stage 19 Mansilla de las Mulas to León
Section 4: León to Sarria
Stage 20 León to Hospital de Órbigo
Stage 21 Hospital de Órbigo to Astorga
Stage 22 Astorga to Foncebadón
Stage 23 Foncebadón to Ponferrada
Stage 24 Ponferrada to Villafranca del Bierzo
Stage 25 Villafranca del Bierzo to La Faba
Stage 26 La Faba to Triacastela
Stage 27 Triacastela to Sarria
Section 5: Sarria to Santiago de Compostela
Stage 28 Sarria to Portomarín
Stage 29 Portomarín to Palas de Rei
Stage 30 Palas de Rei to Arzúa
Stage 31 Arzúa to O Pedrouzo
Stage 32 O Pedrouzo to Santiago de Compostela
Section 6: Camino Finisterre/Muxía
Stage 33 Santiago de Compostela to Negreira
Stage 34 Negreira to Olveiroa
Stage 35A Olveiroa to Finisterre
Stage 35B Olveiroa to Muxía
Stage 36 Finisterre to Muxía
Appendix A Stage planning tables
Appendix B Major local festivals
Appendix C Useful contacts, links and apps
Appendix D Bibliography and further reading
