Stages of the Camino de Santiago in Navarre

Diverse routes to discover Navarre through its history, landscapes, and Jacobean tradition.

The pulse of the trail, step by step

Here, where the ashlar of my ancient monasteries guards the traveller’s weariness and the dust of the path blends with the greenery of the valleys, time simply unfolds. In its atmosphere, one can sense the pulse of the centuries etched into the stone, allowing the identity of each path and the trail of the scallop shell to guide one’s unhurried steps. It is a land of welcome and passage, where the solidity of the monuments and the daily life of the valleys coexist in a mineral harmony that reveals itself to those who choose to traverse its landscape step by step. 

What are the stages of the Way of St James in Navarre?

The Way of St James in Navarre does not follow a single route, but rather extends across various routes connecting valleys, villages and cultures. Each offers a different way of discovering Navarre’s landscape and heritage:

  • The French Way via Roncesvalles: This is the best-known pilgrimage route and is recognised as a European Cultural Route. It crosses the Pyrenees from Luzaide/Valcarlos or Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and continues towards the Central Region and the vineyards near La Rioja. Its six or seven stages pass through places such as Orreaga/Roncesvalles, Pamplona, Puente la Reina, Estella-Lizarra, Los Arcos and Viana.
  • The Aragonese Way: Originating from the historic Via Tolosana, it enters Navarre via the Somport Pass and Sangüesa. The route passes through cereal fields, pine forests, mills and gorges, passing through towns such as Monreal until it meets the Roncesvalles branch at Puente la Reina.
  • The Baztan Way: This ancient trade route between Bayonne and Pamplona is usually completed in five or six days. The route combines pastures, beech and chestnut woods, and small villages with traditional architecture, including Urdazubi/Urdax, Amaiur/Maya, Elizondo and Lantz, before reaching the outskirts of Pamplona.
  • The Sakana Route: Also known as the ‘Forgotten Way’ or the ‘Asturias Route’, it follows part of the route of the ancient Roman road Iter XXXIV. Its 45 kilometres can be covered in two or three stages and pass through the valley between Irurtzun and Ziordia, with the Urbasa and Aralar mountain ranges as a backdrop. The route also offers the chance to discover sites such as the Zamartze Monastery and the Sanctuary of San Miguel de Aralar. 

Frequently Asked Questions

The Navarrese section of the French Way is usually divided into seven days’ walking: Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port–Orreaga/Roncesvalles, Orreaga/Roncesvalles–Zubiri, Zubiri–Pamplona, Pamplona–Puente la Reina, Puente la Reina–Estella-Lizarra, Estella-Lizarra–Los Arcos and Los Arcos–Viana. The first stage can also be completed via the Luzaide/Valcarlos route. 

The time varies depending on the route and each pilgrim’s pace. Walking the French Way through Navarre usually takes six or seven days. The Navarran section of the Aragonese Way is usually covered in two days. Meanwhile, the Baztan Way can be completed in five or six days and the Sakana Way in around three days. 

Yes. Navarre also offers numerous opportunities to explore the pilgrimage routes on two wheels. In addition to these routes, there are major cycle tourism routes such as EuroVelo 1, which runs along the Atlantic coast, and EuroVelo 3, the Pilgrimage Route, which crosses the Navarrese Pyrenees and the Sangüesa region. This offers an alternative way to combine cycle tourism with cultural and religious heritage. 

The challenging Pyrenean section can be tough for those just starting out, so the Luzaide/Valcarlos route offers a more accessible alternative. Other good options include the Baztan Way, which is generally gentle, and the Sakana Way, whose 45 kilometres can be divided into three short stages.