Guide to Walking the camino de santiago (the french way) TO Who are Macs Adventure? p.2 Getting to the start p.10 All about the Camino de Santiago (The French Way) p.3 Eating & Drinking on the Camino p.13 Which stage should I walk? p.4 How fit do I need to be? p.14 Full Camino p.4 What to pack for your Camino adventure? p.15 Stage 1: St Jean Pied de Port to Logroño p.5 FAQs p.16 Stage 2: Logroño to Burgos p.6 Phrases for walking in Spain p.17 Stage 3: Burgos to León p.7 What to expect? p.18 Stage 4: León to O´Cebreiro p.8 How to book your Camino de Santiago p.19 Stage 5: O´Cebreiro to Santiago p.9 Useful resources p.20 #MacsMoment p.21 macsadventure.com Who are Macs Adventure? Who are Macs Adventure? Convenience & Peace of Mind Hello and welcome to our guide to the Camino de Santiago (The French Way) We arrange everything for you Since 2003, we have specialised in arranging self guided walking holidays, cycling Quality, hand picked holidays and tailor made adventures in the UK, Europe and around the world. accommodation We are delighted to have helped thousands of travellers enjoy authentic Door to door baggage transfer experiences, rewarding challenges, active adventures and relaxing breaks since Relax while we take care of your trip we started out in 2003. 24/7 Emergency telephone support We are proud at Macs Adventure that the Camino continues to be on of our most popular walk, so with that in mind, we have put together this comprehensive guide just for you, our Camino customer. Tailor Made Service Our aim is to introduce the Camino de Santiago (or also known as The French Way) Knowleadgeable, personal advice and to provide useful information to help you prepare for your journey to Santiago Choose from our extensive de Compostela. range of tours To arrange a complete walking trip on the Camino de Santiago contact Start on any date our specialists at [email protected], or browse our Camino de Santiago or French Way itineraries on our website. Choose your ideal durations Book with confidence 98% would recommend to a friend Read 2400+ unbiased reviews Benefit from 100% financial View the Camino de Santiago protection Expert, first-hand knowledge on our website Each year thousands trust us. Self Guided Walking Trips & Cycling Trips - Call +44 (0)141 530 3639 UK Office or (720) 487-9898 US Office macsadventure.com 2 All about the Camino de Santiago What is the camino? but by the 12th century the Cathedral As well as Don Sampedro, pilgrim associations of Santiago had been rebuilt and was and local governments have also contributed attracting pilgrims from all over Europe. to the rebirth, of the Camino Francés which has In a nutshell, El Camino de Santiago, led to rediscovery of various routes through otherwise known as the Way of St In 1440 the Codex Calixtinus, the first France, Portugal and Spain. James, is a network of ancient guidebook of the Camino de Santiago, Christian Pilgrimage routes leading to was published. This guidebook detailed the tomb of St James in the Cathedral the routes and infrastructure leading to Why walk it? of Santiago de Compostela, Galicia Santiago de Compostela, and is widely (Northern Spain). interpreted as the first tourist guidebook. Because you can! HISTORY Throughout the Middle Ages the Camino Today, the Camino de Santiago is still very de Santiago remained as popular as popular with traditional Roman Catholic pilgrims The Camino de Santiago has existed pilgrimages to Jerusalem or Rome. Its who travel to Santiago as a demonstration of for over 1000 years and dates back popularity only began to decrease during their faith, however the Camino is not limited to to the 9th Century when the remains the 16th Century with the Protestant exclusively religion with many people walking of St James the Apostle were first Reformation in Northern Europe. Its the Camino for spiritual reasons. discovered in Northern Spain. popularity decreased further with European wars and revolutions in the 17th, 18th and Many others walk the Camino for a sense of It is believed that St James preached 19th centuries, which restricted travel and achievement or simply to escape their day to the Gospel in present day Galicia and cross-cultural integration. day lives and set themselves in a different path. on returning to Jerusalem he was beheaded by King Herod in 44AD. His For most of the 20th Century, the Camino Whatever your reason is, we are here every step followers are said to have transported de Santiago remained restricted to the of the way to help make your journey as hassle his remains to Nortern Galicia where Iberian Peninsula due to the First and free and rewarding as possible. they lay undiscovered until 813. Second World Wars, as well as the Spanish Civil War (1936-39). The discovery of his remains in the 9th Century led to the creation of It was only in the 1980s that the widespread a religious shrine which marks the rediscovery of the Camino de Santiago creation of Santiago the Compostela began thanks to the parish priest and and the Camino de Santiago. academic Don Elías Valiña Sampedro, who dedicated the last 10 years of his life In 997 the first shrine of St James was to way marking the Camino Francés. destroyed by the Moorish army of Al- Mansur, Self Guided Walking Trips & Cycling Trips - Call +44 (0)141 530 3639 UK Office or (720) 487-9898 US Office macsadventure.com 3 Which stage should I walk? The Camino de Santiago (or Camino WALKING THE FULL CAMINO Francés) is one of the world´s greatest Full Camino: St Jean pilgrim routes. It starts in France, crossing Walking the full Camino Francés takes you Pied de Port to Santiago the border high in the Pyrenees before from St Jean Pied de Port, in the foothills stretching right accross the north of Spain of the Pyrenees to the conclusion of your The highlights of the full Camino are until it reaches Santiago de Compostela in pilgrimage in Santiago de Compostela. the dramatic scenery when walking Galicia, north-west Spain. This is a journey for the spirit and soul that over the Pyrenees., the winding streets milions of travellers complete year after and Gothic architecture of Burgos The whole route takes over a month to year. and Santiago Cathedral, not just the walk, and while we would wholeheartedly building, but the emotion of arriving recommend walking the full way to get Meeting fellow pilgrims, passing through there. the very best experience, we know it is not varying landscapes such as the majestic possible for everyone to take this much Pyrenees Mountains, the lush green valleys time out of their lives. of Galicia and the immense plains of Sierra de Campos whilst walking into some The route is broken down in five different northern Spain´s most beguiling cities, are stages, so in the next sections of this guide just a few of the many highlights. we are going to detail the pros and cons of each stage. Grade Comfort Start/Finish St Jean/Santiago de Compostela Distance 753 km Check our website for Duration 40 Days & 39 Nights more info about the Availability March - Mid November Camino Self Guided Walking Trips & Cycling Trips -Call +44 (0)141 530 3639 UK Office or (720) 487-9898 US Office macsadventure.com 4 Stage 1: St-Jean-Pied de-Port to Logroño The first stretch of the Camino Francés Pamplona: It´s perfect for a is one of sheer beauty. Undoubtely the Hemmingway moveable feast, as you Stage 1: Jean-Pied-de- toughest stage of the whole Camino de wander around the city, exploring and Port to Logroño Santiago, but one filled with rewards. nibbling at a different pintxo in each bar. Walk the first stage of the Camino Walk through the the high mountains Logroño: It´s the capital of La Rioja, de Santiago, from St Jean which and deep valleys of the Pyrenees, but it´s so close to the border with the straddles the French and Spanish before crossing through undulating Basque Country that it retains much border, to Logroño in the famous wine plains and olive groves. The day is of the custom and culture. The Calle growing region of La Rioja. packed with wildlfe as you encounter Laurel (Laurel Street) is a thin, small wild horses and spot large birds of prey street running through the heart of every kilometre or so. You will get a the city which has nothing but pintxo great sense of achievement at reaching bars on it, each serving their delicious the summit and the even greater one speciality, which should be paired with as you arrive at your accommodation any of the fantastic wines on offer. in Roncesvalles, knowing you have conquered the toughest part of the trip. This section is perfect for: The rest of the week´s walking is gentler, Those looking for a stand-alone for much of it you follow old Roman experience on the Camino de Santiago. roads which wind through farmland Also, if you think you might one day the Grade and forest, always framed by the hills whole route, then it´s best to start at Comfort of the Navarra region. the beginning. Despite some tougher walking, it is an excellent insight into Start/Finish St Jean/Logroño All the towns you stay in are delightful, the culture of the Basque Country, there but but the highlight´s of this week´s are some great cities and delightful Distance 154 km walk are Pamplona and Logroño.