Walk the Camino in
2023


Spring is a wonderful time to walk the Camino!
The wildflowers are spectacular and the weather can be perfect for walking. 

Our trip will cover your first night's lodging in Pamplona at the beginning of the trip and two nights in Santiago at the end.

Itinerary 2023 - May 8 through June 1

  1. Our group will meet in Pamplona.  Spend two nights in Pamplona. 
  2. Next morning, a private taxi will take us to St. Jean Pied de Port, France where we will spend the day getting to know each other, visiting the Pilgrim Office, picking up our Credentials, being tourists, and resting.  We will sleep in a French Gite here.
  3. We walk the steep road to either Orisson or BORDA. (9 kilometers) 
  4. Continue our walk over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles. (12 k) In Roncesvalles, we will gather for dinner together with other pilgrims, then attend a beautiful Pilgrim's Mass in the historical church there. Here, we sleep in quads and triples at La Posada.
  5. We walk to Zubiri, (22.2 k) We sleep here in a private house. 
  6. We walk from Zubiri back to Pamplona. 21.1 k) Apartment. We pick up new pilgrims.
  7. We walk through Pamplona, up and over Alto del Perdon.  We stop in Puente de la Reina (24 k) Private pilgrim rooms
  8. We walk through farmland and vinyards up through Ciraqui, and into Estella (21.9k) Private pilgrim rooms & apt
  9. We stop at Irache, the famous fountain, and fill our bottles with wine, then walk though holm oak and pines, up to Monjardin and into Los Arcos (21.1 k) where you can sit in the square, enjoy Sangria and watch the weary pilgrims walk through.  Private rooms/apt
  10. A  wonderful trek through farmland to Viana, where we meet up with José, our friendly landlord at the Iglesia Santa Maria in the square. That night you can grab a taxi into Logroño,  and enjoy wine and tapas on the famous Calle Laurel, or attend a Pilgrim's Mass back in the village. Apartment
  11. A private taxi will take us to Burgos, where you can visit the magnificent Burgos Cathedral or the World Class Museum of Evolution. Private hotel rooms
  12. We bus to Leon where another fantastic Cathedral awaits us. Private hotel rooms
  13. A short bus or train ride to Astorga where you can see the Gaudi Palace, eat authentic Maragato cuisine,  and visit a chocolate museum. Private hotel rooms
  14. From Astorga, we march on to Rabanal del Camino, (21.4 k). I have asked Cristina to prepare us a family style meal (my treat) in time to hear vespers sung at the Hermitage across the way.  We are now in the Irago Mountains,  the land of the Templars, and the next day can be a challenging one. Private hotel rooms
  15. We start early, grabbing breakfast along the way. We will stop to leave a stone at the Cruz de Ferro. The Camino winds through woods of confiers and broom,  hillsides covered in heather and poppies. We can stop at the beautiful village of Acebo, for lunch and a rest, before walking or grabbing a taxi  down the steep mountain into Molinaseca, (26.5 k)
  16. Today is an easier walk -  we can walk, or start by grabbing a bus into Ponferrada, that will shave 7 kilometers off the day! Then we walk through gorgeous vineyards, through Cacabelos (best hamburguesas on the Camino!) and into Villafranca del Bierzo (23 k) Private hostal rooms
  17. Day 18 begins with a taxi ride up to O Cebreiro, a beautiful stone village high in the clouds. We will spend about two hours here, having 2nd breakfast and visiting the pretty little stone church. Then the driver will carry us to Samos, where we begin our walk to Sarria. (about 15 k) The walk to Sarria passes through green fields with dry stone walls covered in brambles and moss, eucalyptus forest, streams and rivers.  From Sarria gets busy, as this is the last 100 kilometers before Santiago and this is required walking distance to earn the Compostela. Private hostal rooms. Some may share a quad or triple here.
  18. After a night in Sarria, we will join "the wave" of pilgrims on their way to Santiago. Be sure to get two stamps per day from this point forward if you want the Compostela. This day will take us into Portomarin. (22 k) Private rooms in albergue
  19. Today we skirt the reservoir, gently climbing up through woodland then dropping down into Palas de Rei. (24.8 k) Apartment
  20. Today is a shorter day through Melide, where you can stop for the famous PULPO (Octopus), then continue on to Castañeda, where we have leased a sweet little farmhouse with some newer apartments built in. (22.8 k) Casa Rural
  21. Today begins with the option to share the cost of a taxi ride into Arzúa, which shaves 6 kilometers off the day's distance, or you can just walk from the farmhouse if you wish. In Arzua, you can find breakfast, then continue on through eucalyptus to O Pedrouzo (aka Arca/O Piño) (18 k) Pension
  22. Today finds us walking to our destination, Santiago de Compostela. The first part of the stage is through shady eucalyptus groves,  but as you approach Santiago,  groups of pilgrims and asphalt roads take over, as Brierly explains. We sleep tonight in modest pilgrim rooms in the wonderful Hospederia San Martin Pinario.(20 k) Check in, shower, and try to make it to the Pilgrim's Mass in the Cathedral. Annie and Joe have told you where to sit so the huge Botafumero swings right over your head! Later, walk the streets, find dinner, listen to the bagpipes under the bridge. Maybe you can visit the folk museum, Museu Pobo Gallego, or just see the city.
  23. Next morning wake up early and head over to the Pilgrim Office to collect your well-earned Compostela. Arrive early - it's going to be buzzing!  Then perhaps visit the Cathedral museum. The rooftop tour is fantastic! Make your reservation online for the Cathedral museum; it is a Holy Year! Get together with some of the other pilgrims and book a round trip private taxi to Finisterra and Muxia, only about €35 each for 4 pilgrims. It's a beautiful drive - have seafood at the beach!  Your room is also booked for this second night in Santiago, so relax and bask in your accomplishment. Hopefully, you have booked an extra night or two in Santiago. Once you're there, you may as well enjoy it!  You might look on www.booking.com and make those reservation as soon as possible. Prices go UP and availability down each day!

That's it!
You walked the Camino de Santiago!
Congratulations!
​Annie