What are the stages of the French Way?
Along its approximately 768 kilometers, the French Way is divided into the following 33 stages:
- Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port – Roncesvalles (24 km)
- Roncesvalles – Zubiri (21.4 km)
- Zubiri – Pamplona (20.4 km)
- Pamplona – Puente la Reina (23.9 km)
- Puente la Reina – Estella (21.6 km)
- Estella – Los Arcos (21.3 km)
- Los Arcos – Logroño (27.6 km)
- Logroño – Nájera (29 km)
- Nájera – Santo Domingo de la Calzada (20.7 km)
- Santo Domingo de la Calzada – Belorado (22 km)
- Belorado – San Juan de Ortega (23.9 km)
- San Juan de Ortega – Burgos (25.8 km)
- Burgos – Hornillos del Camino (21 km)
- Hornillos del Camino – Castrojeriz (19.9 km)
- Castrojeriz – Frómista (24.7 km)
- Frómista – Carrión de los Condes (18.8 km)
- Carrión de los Condes – Terradillos de los Templarios (26.3 km)
- Terradillos de los Templarios – Bercianos del Real Camino (23.2 km)
- Bercianos del Real Camino – Mansilla de las Mulas (26.3 km)
- Mansilla de las Mulas – León (18.5 km)
- León – Villadangos de Páramo (20.4 km)
- Villadangos de Páramo – Astorga (27.9 km)
- Astorga – Rabanal del Camino (20.2 km)
- Rabanal del Camino – Molinaseca (24.7 km)
- Molinaseca – Villafranca del Bierzo (31.9 km)
- Villafranca del Bierzo – O Cebreiro (27.8 km)
- O Cebreiro – Triacastela (20.8 km)
- Triacastela – Sarria (17.9 km / 25 km via Samos)
- Sarria – Portomarín (22 km)
- Portomarín – Palas de Rei (25 km)
- Palas de Rei – Arzúa (29 km)
- Arzúa – Pedrouzo (19 km)
- Pedrouzo – Santiago de Compostela (19 km)
This division can be adjusted according to individual preferences and possibilities, always keeping in mind the need for a place to stay overnight.
Among these stages, the main or most notable ones for pilgrims are:
- Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles (24 km): This is the initial stage, crossing the impressive Pyrenees and marking the beginning of the journey in Spanish lands.
- Pamplona to Puente la Reina (23.9 km): Known for the famous city of Pamplona, this stage offers a route rich in history and the opportunity to visit the Crucifix Church in Puente la Reina.
- Logroño to Nájera (29 km): This stage enters the wine region of La Rioja, with vineyards accompanying the pilgrim for much of the way.
- Burgos to Hornillos del Camino (21 km): This stage is notable for passing by the Burgos Cathedral, a gem of Spanish Gothic architecture.
- León to Hospital de Órbigo (32 km): León is one of the largest and most significant cities on the French Way, with its Gothic cathedral and the historic Parador of San Marcos.
- O Cebreiro to Triacastela (17.8 km via San Xil or 25 km via Samos): After the ascent to O Cebreiro, one of the most challenging and rewarding points, with panoramic views and the famous village with its pallozas a beautiful stage with two alternatives presents itself.
- Sarria to Portomarín (22 km): Sarria is the most popular starting point for those looking to cover the last 100 km and obtain the Compostela.
- Palas de Rei to Arzúa (29 km): In this stage, the Camino crosses typical rural landscapes of Galicia, with forests, rivers, and picturesque villages. Halfway through, you reach Melide, where you can taste some of the best octopus in Galicia.
- Arzúa to Santiago de Compostela (40 km): The final stretch of the French Way culminates in reaching Monte do Gozo and then arriving at the Plaza del Obradoiro and the iconic Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, the ultimate goal for all pilgrims.
