Camino Francés – Stage 1 (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Logroño)
~9 days · 101.8 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Camino Francés – Stage 1 (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Logroño) is known for
This is the opening stretch of the Camino Francés, the most-traveled route of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. As a point-to-point walk it crosses the Pyrenees from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in France over the Route de Napoléon into Spain at Roncesvalles, then continues through Pamplona and the vineyards of Navarra to Logroño in La Rioja. The first day's climb over the Pyrenees is the most demanding of the stage. It is known as a cultural and historic pilgrimage route with a well-developed network of albergues and villages.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 531 ft to 4,301 ft over 101.8 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 25.2 mi · 25%
- Downhill 17.1 mi · 17%
- Flat 59.0 mi · 58%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Camino Francés – Stage 1 (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Logroño)?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Camino Francés – Stage 1 (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Logroño) scores 40/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Best season & permits
Season: Late spring through early autumn (roughly May to September) is the main season; the high Pyrenees crossing on the first day can hold snow and see closures in winter and early spring.
Permits: No permit is needed to walk the Camino, though pilgrims typically carry a credential (pilgrim passport) to stay in albergues and earn the Compostela in Santiago; beds are first-come or booked ahead in busy months.
Official trail & permit info
Always confirm current conditions, closures, and permit rules with the managing authority before your trip.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Camino Francés – Stage 1 (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Logroño) take?
Most backpackers hike the Camino Francés – Stage 1 (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Logroño) in about 9 days (8 nights out) over its 101.8 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Camino Francés – Stage 1 (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Logroño)?
The Camino Francés – Stage 1 (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Logroño) climbs roughly 13,222 ft total — about 130 ft per mile, topping out near 4,698 ft.
When is the best time to hike the Camino Francés – Stage 1 (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Logroño)?
Late spring through early autumn (roughly May to September) is the main season; the high Pyrenees crossing on the first day can hold snow and see closures in winter and early spring.
Do you need a permit for the Camino Francés – Stage 1 (Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Logroño)?
No permit is needed to walk the Camino, though pilgrims typically carry a credential (pilgrim passport) to stay in albergues and earn the Compostela in Santiago; beds are first-come or booked ahead in busy months.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.