The Toughest Hills and Ascents on the Camino de Santiago

Information about the steepest slopes of the Camino de Santiago, with descriptions of demanding sections, tips for tackling them, how to distribute effort, and recommendations on pace, footwear, and rest to enhance your performance and arrive at the end of the day without injuries or unnecessary fatigue.

One of the most typical conversations among pilgrims to Santiago is the difficulty of certain stages. The high number of kilometers, the lack of services and shade in some of them, or adverse weather conditions are some of the most discussed topics. However, without a doubt, the steep ascents and tough climbs of the Camino de Santiago are the queens of conversations among the pilgrim community.

What is the hardest stage of the Camino de Santiago? In which stages is greater physical preparation required? Which are the toughest climbs? Which sections are more challenging? We will answer all these questions in this article, based on our experience and that of our pilgrims.

Female pilgrims climbing a slope on the French Way

What is the hardest stage of the Camino de Santiago? The 10 most discussed

In all the routes and stages of the Camino de Santiago, there is much beauty, nature, and heritage. However, all of this is spread over dozens of kilometers, with some sections and stages being easier to traverse and others more complicated. The latter are characterized, above all, by having significant elevation changes and sometimes accumulating many kilometers of ascent.

Nevertheless, with adequate physical and mental preparation, these challenges can be overcome, in addition to having the best advice. Therefore, we would like to inform you about the 10 sections and climbs most discussed for their physical demands among all the Jacobean routes. For many, some of them are part of the hardest stage of the Camino de Santiago.

Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port – Collado Lepoeder

We begin with the French Way at the border of France and Spain, featuring one of the most talked-about ascents among pilgrims. The stage between Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and Roncesvalles has a turning point, the legendary Collado Lepoeder. Over a distance of about 20 km, one ascends from 150 m. to about 1450 m., one of the famous tough climbs for those who undertake the entire Camino from here.

This official section, known as the "Napoleon Route," is a tough but beautiful stretch that has a variant through Valcarlos, which is shorter and less strenuous. Every pilgrim who undertakes this stage must take this variant if they are walking between November and March, due to the extreme snow weather conditions. You have been warned, and there is also a fine.

Cizur Menor – Alto del Perdón

We advance along the French Way and in the fourth stage we encounter one of the most talked-about climbs among the pilgrim community: the ascent to Alto del Perdón. Between Cizur Menor and this mythical point, with its famous Jacobean sculptural ensemble, there are about 8.5 km where an ascent of approximately 300 m takes place.

Pilgrims resting and taking photos after climbing Alto del Perdón

Hospital – O Cebreiro

Entering Galicia via this straightforward route, one arrives, perhaps, at the most mythical place of this journey: the mountain of O Cebreiro. This point would mark the end of the 27th stage of the French Way from its start in Spain: for some, the most demanding stage and one of the steep climbs of the Way. In fact, it is considered the Queen Stage, as it features the greatest ascent of the French route.

After covering 27.8 km, a considerable distance, one must face a final uphill stretch: about 600 m over 8 km, not too much! However, the sublime landscapes, the entrance to Galicia, and its "hyper-photographed" monument make the ascent worthwhile. Moreover, the final arrival at the bucolic and mythical village of O Cebreiro will be the best reward, with its church of Santa María la Real and its historic pallozas.

Boente – Arzúa, the famous "leg-breaker"

And to conclude the French Way, we cannot forget the widely known "leg-breaker," that is, the final stretch between Melide and Arzúa. From the church of Santiago de Boente, pilgrims face a combination of three pairs of descents and steep climbs. As if it were a roller coaster, in this section of the last 100 km of the French Way, one must pay attention to the legs, ankles, and knees. The slopes are not very steep, but they are the final 8 km that those starting from Palas de Rei will need a massage in Arzúa.

Pilgrims climbing the "leg breaker" of Arzúa on the French Way, one of the tough slopes of the Jacobean route

Codesal – Alto da Portela Grande de Labruja

If the Portuguese Way is quite flat and accessible for any pilgrim, it is not without some ascents. In Portugal, on stage number 20 between Ponte de Lima and Rubiaes, walkers face the Alto de A Portela Grande in Labruja. Over a distance of 4.2 km, an ascent of about 300 m takes place through forests and beautiful landscapes in a short but demanding stage.

Combarro – Armenteira

Continuing on the Portuguese Way, but taking the Spiritual Variant in its first stage between Pontevedra and Armenteira, pilgrims encounter another tough slope. The Way reaches Combarro, a beautiful village at sea level dotted with hórreos, to ascend about 400 m over 7 km.

Pola de Allande – Puerto del Palo

On the Primitive Way, in the fifth stage between Pola de Allande and La Mesa, there is another demanding ascent. The stage begins with a gradual climb, rising from 525 m to nearly 1200 m at Puerto del Palo over 8.4 km.

Augapesada – Trasmonte

On the Way to Finisterre and Muxía, in the first stage between Santiago de Compostela and Negreira, there is an interesting ascent. Starting at the place of Augapesada, the pilgrim indeed faces a somewhat heavy climb: about 200 m over approximately 2 km. Halfway up, the pilgrim can refresh at a fountain and finally descend to Pontemaceira, the reward after this challenge on the Way to Finisterre.

Pilgrim with his dogs climbing one of the tough slopes on the Way to Finisterre

Vao – As Travesas

We move to the English Way from Ferrol, which offers a brief but steep ascent between Vao and As Travesas in the stage between Betanzos and Bruma. In approximately 1.5 km, an ascent of about 125 m is made to reach the highest point of the last 100 km of this English route.

Oseira – Villarero

And finally, on the Sanabrés Way we can highlight the stage between Cea and A Laxe-Lalín, on the last 100 km from Ourense. This is a long variant of the 11th stage that offers an interesting ascent starting from the monastery of Oseira, whose visit is worth the effort. After visiting the monastery, the pilgrim faces a climb of 180 m. to be completed over 2 km.

Message of encouragement from one pilgrim to another on the Way

"No pain, no glory"

So says the pilgrim's proverb. No one said that walking the Way is easy, and at times you will encounter steep slopes that will require physical effort. However, the physical, mental, and psychological benefits that the Way can bring you are well known. With good physical and mental preparation, you will be able to overcome all these challenges, but if you want something lighter, contact us and we will recommend accessible routes. That said, we won't let you skip the final climb: ascending the stairs to give the embrace to the Apostle in the Cathedral of Santiago.