French Way from Logroño to Burgos

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the French Way of Santiago difficult?

  The French Way of Santiago is the most popular and traveled route of the Camino, but its difficulty level can vary depending on the section and the pilgrim's preparation. While the total route covers approximately 768 kilometers from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France to Santiago de Compostela, it is divided into stages that allow the journey to be adapted to each person's abilities. Here are the main factors that determine its difficulty:

  Elevations and terrain: The early stages, particularly the crossing of the Pyrenees from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles, are among the most challenging, with significant elevation changes and mountainous terrain. However, other sections, such as the Meseta of Castile, are much flatter and more accessible.

  Climate: The weather can greatly impact the difficulty. In summer, the heat in the Meseta can be exhausting, while in spring and autumn, rain and mud can complicate the journey. In winter, some mountainous stages can be tougher due to snow.

  Duration: The duration of the Camino is another factor. Completing the full route can take between 30 and 35 days, requiring good physical stamina. However, many pilgrims choose to walk only the final stages, especially from Sarria, covering the last 100 kilometers in about 5 days.

  Based on the pilgrim's experience, we can recommend the following sections:

  • For experienced pilgrims: They will find a challenge in mountainous stages like the Pyrenees or the ascent to O Cebreiro, but will be rewarded with breathtaking scenery.
  • For beginners: While the full Camino may be demanding, it's possible to walk only more accessible sections, such as the last 100 kilometers from Sarria, without facing major difficulties.

• Does the French Way from Logroño to Burgos qualify for the Compostela?

  Not on its own. The Pilgrim's Office requires you to walk the last 100 km to Santiago, and this trip ends in Burgos. Get your pilgrim passport stamped at every stage anyway: you can use it to carry on another year from Burgos, linking our French Way sections all the way to Santiago, where you will receive the Compostela.

• What can I do in Logroño the evening before starting the Camino?

  Go for pinchos along the Calle del Laurel: each bar has its speciality (mushrooms, patatas bravas, ham "zapatillas") and always with a glass of Rioja. Before that, stroll through the old town: the co-cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda holds the only painting by Michelangelo in Spain, and the church of Santiago el Real is close by. Don't stay out late, because the first stage, to Nájera, is 29 km.

• Is it worth detouring to San Millán de la Cogolla?

  If you are interested in history, yes. On the Nájera–Santo Domingo de la Calzada stage you can detour to the monasteries of Suso and Yuso in San Millán de la Cogolla, the cradle of the Spanish language and a World Heritage Site. Bear in mind that the detour makes the day longer and that after Azofra there are several kilometres without services: stock up before leaving the village.

• Why is there a rooster and a hen in the cathedral of Santo Domingo de la Calzada?

  They commemorate the miracle of the hanged pilgrim, one of the most famous legends of the French Way. Inside the cathedral there is a henhouse where a rooster and a hen live, and seeing it is a must when you finish the stage from Nájera. The town dates back to the 12th century and keeps remains of its 12th- and 14th-century walls: take your time exploring its historic centre.

• Are the Montes de Oca dangerous?

  No. Although centuries ago they were a hideout for bandits, today the crossing of the Montes de Oca is a lovely stretch of oak woods, pines and heather, and the most demanding part of the trip. It starts in Villafranca Montes de Oca, climbs to the Alto de la Pedraja and ends with a long descent to San Juan de Ortega. The stage from Belorado is about 24 km: take water and something to eat, as it is a lonely stretch.

• What is the Miracle of Light in San Juan de Ortega?

  It is a phenomenon that happens two days a year, at the equinoxes: for about ten minutes the sun lights up the capital depicting the Annunciation inside the monastery church. San Juan de Ortega, the end of the stage across the Montes de Oca, is a tiny village of barely twenty inhabitants that keeps the pilgrim spirit like few others.

• Can I visit the Atapuerca archaeological sites while walking the Camino?

  Yes, if you have time. The last stage, from San Juan de Ortega to Burgos, passes through the Sierra de Atapuerca area, whose sites are among the most important in the world and have been a World Heritage Site since 1997. In Burgos you can round off the visit at the Museum of Human Evolution, which displays the Atapuerca finds. Set off early, as the approach into Burgos is long, with asphalt and industrial buildings.