HORSEBACK ROUTE 25 STAGES
Horseback Route Roncesvalles – Santiago
Horseback Route from Roncesvalles – 25 stages
Traced over the centuries by the footprints of pilgrims and the hoofprints of their horses, the French Way forms the backbone of northern Spain from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Pyrenees to Santiago de Compostela. This is the Jacobean Way (Xacobeo in Galicia), the Pilgrim’s Way, which – as the Codex Calixtinus states since 1135 – has crossed Galicia century after century with Santiago de Compostela as its final destination.
Our horseback route from Roncesvalles to Santiago de Compostela covers 774.60 km in 25 stages.
The Camino de Santiago is a unique historical and cultural heritage thanks to all the monuments – especially Romanesque – built over the centuries as trade and pilgrims headed towards the tomb of the Apostle James. Ever since the discovery of his tomb at the beginning of the 9th century, Santiago de Compostela has become a pilgrimage destination for people from every continent.
Thousands of people of all ages and backgrounds continue to make the pilgrimage from the remotest corners of the Earth to the heart of Santiago de Compostela. The Camino de Santiago is a spiritual experience, the salvation of Christians, and one of the three great Christian pilgrimage routes alongside Rome and Jerusalem.
25 stages on horseback from Roncesvalles
Camino de Santiago on horseback from Roncesvalles
Welcome and transfer of participants in Roncesvalles to the accommodation where we will spend the night. Once settled, we will hold an information meeting before dinner to answer any questions about our horseback pilgrimage following the French Way to Santiago.
It is time to calm the soul and prepare for the hidden places and paths that await the pilgrim who wishes to cover the distance between Roncesvalles and Santiago de Compostela.
French Way from Roncesvalles
Roncesvalles is a small municipality in Navarre with only 34 inhabitants (2016). Located at 944 m altitude, it is declared a Site of National Historic Interest. Historically it has always been the main gateway into the Iberian Peninsula and a key point on the Jacobean route. It is believed that Emperor Charlemagne passed through here after the failed expedition to Zaragoza in 778.
Among its highlights are the Pilgrims’ Hospital (which in the 17th century distributed more than 25,000 rations a year), the Chapel of Sancti Spiritus (also known as Charlemagne’s Silo), the Church of Santiago, the Chapel of San Agustín and the magnificent Royal Collegiate Church of Santa María (12th century).
The gate is open to everyone, sick and healthy alike; not only Catholics but also pagans, Jews, heretics, idlers and vagabonds; and, in short, to good and bad alike.
Shortly after leaving Roncesvalles we reach the Alto de Mezkiritz.
The French Way via Roncesvalles (Orreaga) passes through Pamplona and joins the Aragonese Way at Puente la Reina (Navarre). From there the route continues via Larrasoaña, Cizur Menor, Estella, Viana, Nájera, Castidelgado, Atapuerca, Tardajos, Castrojeriz, Villacazar de Sirga, Calzadilla de la Cueza, Burgo Ranero, Valdelafuente, Villadangos del Páramo, Astorga, Ponferrada, Villafranca del Bierzo; entering Galicia via O Cebreiro, Samos, Portomarín, Palas de Rey, Arzúa and finally arriving at the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela.
Roncesvalles – Larrasoaña
We start early preparing saddlebags and backpacks after a hearty breakfast. We say goodbye to Roncesvalles and head towards the Pyrenean mountains, letting our horses show us the path that crosses the Comarca de Auñamendi.
Alternating descents and flat sections, we will pass through Burguete (Auritz) along San Nicolás street, heading to Espinal (Auritzberri). We will enjoy the shade of the Sorginaritzga forests – also known as the Witches’ Oak Grove – full of birch, beech, pine, holly and oak trees, until we reach the Pilgrims’ Cross, a Gothic crucifix moved here in 1880 by Prior Francisco Polite.
From the Alto de Mezkiritz we will see the carved image of the Virgin of Roncesvalles and descend towards Bizkarreta (Viscarret-Guerendiain), the end of the stage in the 12th century, and Lintzoain. We leave the village passing through Viscarret-Guerendiain before a steep climb among beech and oak woods to reach the magical Alto de Erro, featured in the Legend of Roland.
We stop for lunch in Zubiri, capital of the Esteríbar valley, to rest horses and riders. Zubiri is the most populated village on the Camino north of Pamplona. Its Basque name means “village of the bridge”.
After lunch we follow the River Arga towards Larrasoaña, crossing the Gothic Bridge of Rage, whose pillars are said to contain the relics of Santa Quiteria, now kept in the parish church of San Juan Bautista.
In Larrasoaña we spend the night and you can visit the 12th-century church of San Nicolás, which once had two pilgrim hospitals. Tomorrow we reach Pamplona, the first city on our horseback pilgrimage.
Larrasoaña – Pamplona
Today we ride into the capital of Navarre. We leave Larrasoaña crossing the medieval bridge and ride along the riverbank, passing through small villages such as Akerreta, Zuriain and Iroz, until we reach the famous Trinidad de Arre with its 12th-century monastery-hospital.
We enter Pamplona through the Portal de Francia and the impressive fortified wall. Lunch and free afternoon to visit the city: the Cathedral of Santa María la Real, the running of the bulls route, the Plaza del Castillo, the Citadel… Overnight in Pamplona.
Pamplona – Puente la Reina
We leave Pamplona through the Magdalena neighbourhood, cross the river and climb to the Alto del Perdón with its famous sculpture of pilgrims. Spectacular panoramic views. Descent to Uterga, Obanos and finally Puente la Reina, where the French and Aragonese Ways meet. Overnight in Puente la Reina.
Puente la Reina – Estella
We cross the famous 11-arched Romanesque bridge and ride through Cirauqui, Lorca and Villatuerta. We arrive in Estella, the “Toledo of the North”, with its beautiful Palace of the Kings of Navarre and the church of San Pedro de la Rúa. Overnight in Estella.
Estella – Los Arcos
We pass by the famous Irache wine fountain and the monastery of Irache. We continue through Ayegui, Azqueta and finally Los Arcos, with its impressive church of Santa María. Overnight in Los Arcos.
Los Arcos – Logroño
We leave Navarre and enter La Rioja. We pass through Torres del Río and its spectacular octagonal Holy Sepulchre, Viana (last town in Navarre) and finally Logroño, capital of La Rioja. Overnight in Logroño.
Logroño – Nájera
We ride through vineyards and the Navaridas reservoir, passing through Navarrete and Ventosa until we reach Nájera, former capital of the Kingdom of Navarre, with the monastery of Santa María la Real. Overnight in Nájera.
Nájera – Santo Domingo de la Calzada
We pass through Azofra and Cirueña and arrive at Santo Domingo de la Calzada, famous for the legend of the rooster and the hen. Visit the cathedral with its live rooster and hen. Overnight in Santo Domingo.
Santo Domingo de la Calzada – Belorado
We enter the province of Burgos. We pass through Grañón, Redecilla del Camino, Castildelgado, Viloria de Rioja and finally Belorado. Overnight in Belorado.
Belorado – San Juan de Ortega
We ride through Villafranca Montes de Oca and its beautiful church of Santiago. We climb the Montes de Oca and arrive at San Juan de Ortega with its Romanesque monastery and the tomb of the saint. Overnight in San Juan de Ortega.
San Juan de Ortega – Burgos
We pass through Atapuerca (World Heritage Site), Cardeñuela Riopico and finally arrive in Burgos, with its spectacular Gothic cathedral. Free afternoon to visit the city. Overnight in Burgos.
Burgos – Hornillos del Camino
We leave Burgos through the neighbourhood of Villalbilla and ride through Tardajos, Rabé de las Calzadas and finally Hornillos del Camino. Overnight in Hornillos.
Hornillos del Camino – Castrojeriz
Flat stage through the Castilian plateau. We pass through San Bol and arrive at Castrojeriz, with its castle ruins and collegiate church of Santa María del Manzano. Overnight in Castrojeriz.
Castrojeriz – Frómista
We pass through Itero de la Vega and Boadilla del Camino and arrive at Frómista, famous for the Romanesque church of San Martín. Overnight in Frómista.
Frómista – Carrión de los Condes
We ride along the Canal de Castilla and pass through Población de Campos, Villalcázar de Sirga (with its beautiful church of Santa María la Blanca) and arrive at Carrión de los Condes. Overnight in Carrión.
Carrión de los Condes – Calzadilla de la Cueza
Long and flat stage through the Tierra de Campos. Very few villages. We pass through Calzadilla de la Cueza. Overnight in Calzadilla.
Calzadilla de la Cueza – Sahagún
We continue through the Tierra de Campos and arrive at Sahagún, an important medieval town with numerous Romanesque churches. Overnight in Sahagún.
Sahagún – Mansilla de las Mulas
Another long stage through León’s plain. We pass through Bercianos del Real Camino, El Burgo Ranero and finally Mansilla de las Mulas. Overnight in Mansilla.
Mansilla de las Mulas – León
We arrive in León, with its spectacular Gothic cathedral with incredible stained glass windows and the Basilica of San Isidoro. Free afternoon to visit the city. Overnight in León.
León – Astorga
We pass through the Paramo Leonés, Hospital de Órbigo with its famous jousting bridge and finally Astorga, with its Episcopal Palace by Gaudí and Romanesque-Moorish cathedral. Overnight in Astorga.
Astorga – Ponferrada
We begin the ascent to the Cruz de Ferro. We pass through Rabanal del Camino, Foncebadón and finally Ponferrada, capital of El Bierzo, with its impressive Templar castle. Overnight in Ponferrada.
Ponferrada – Villafranca del Bierzo
We pass through Cacabelos and Pieros and arrive at Villafranca del Bierzo, known as “Little Compostela” for its Door of Forgiveness. Overnight in Villafranca.
Villafranca del Bierzo – O Cebreiro
We enter Galicia! Hard climb to O Cebreiro, the first Galician village, with its pre-Romanesque church and beautiful pallozas (traditional round houses). Overnight in O Cebreiro.
O Cebreiro – Triacastela – Samos – Sarria
We pass through Liñares, Hospital da Condesa, Padornelo, Alto do Poio (the highest point of the French Way), Triacastela and detour to visit the monastery of Samos (one of the oldest in Spain). Finally we arrive in Sarria. Overnight in Sarria.
Sarria – Portomarín – Palas de Rei – Arzúa – Amenal
Last riding day. We pass through Ferreiros, Portomarín (with its church-fortress moved stone by stone), Palas de Rei, Melide (famous for its octopus), Arzúa (capital of Galician cheese) and finally Amenal. Farewell dinner and overnight.
Amenal – Santiago de Compostela
Short final stage to Santiago (18 km). We enter the city through Monte do Gozo and arrive at the Cathedral. Delivery of the Compostela certificate and emotional Pilgrim’s Mass at 12:00. Farewell lunch and end of our services.
¡Buen Camino and Ultreia!
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