The Camino Francés: Stretch 1 from Somport to Puente La Reina – Camino Aragonés

1 pax min.

Stretch 1 from Somport to Puente La Reina across the Pyrenees

When we speak about the St. James’s Way it is often associated with the so-called “French Way” without considering that only in Spain there are several routes to Santiago coming from different points of the Peninsula. This way, compared to others, is the busiest and the one which has the best facilities.

It dates back to the discovery of the tomb of the Apostle and the first pilgrimages to Santiago from France. It partly runs along old Roman roads that were used by the pilgrims.

There are three routes of the Camino Francés that cross the Pyrenees, the one across Saint Jean Pied de Port which is the busiest, the one across Somport also known as the Camino Aragonés even if  it´s part of the French Way and the Baztán route which comes from Bayona and joins the Camino Francés in Pamplona. The route coming from Somport joins the Camino Francés in Puente La Reina.

Program

Day 1: Transfer to Canfranc – Estación

Transfer from Pamplona airport or journey by train to Canfranc. Free time to have a walk around the Pyrenees

Day 2: From Canfranc – Estación to Jaca, 24 km approx. (Somport – Jaca, 31 km approx.)

Today we’ll be going downhill and we can enjoy the wonderful landscapes as we walk through small towns like Canfranc or Castiello de Jaca. We will drop from 1.200 to 800m so apart from being a descent it is a hard stage. Free time in the afternoon to enjoy the city of Jaca.

* It is also possible to start the stage in Somport. A transfer will be arranged from Canfranc – Estación to Somport in the morning as Somport doesn’t offer good accomodation. If you are interested in walking from Somport, please contact Viajes Orbis.

Day 2: From Jaca to Arrés, 25 km approx.

We leave Jaca and continue descending slowly the Pyrenees until we reach Santa Cilia de Jaca. Arrés is located in a small hill which we’ll have to climb before reaching our today’s destination.

* There is a variant which goes through San Juan de la Peña but we must know that it will add 15 km to the original route. In that case, it will be better to arrange a one more overnight stay in Santa Cilia de Jaca. If you are interested, please contact us.

Day 3: From Arrés to Ruesta, 28 km approx.

We start leaving behind the Pyrenees to get into the region of Aragon.

The camino lead us along the villages of Mianos and Artieda before reaching Ruesta, where we’ll see the ruins of a former castle.

Day 4: From Ruesta to Sangüesa, 22 km approx

Today we’ll have our last stage in Aragón and we continue going through small and beautiful villages. In the afternoon we can visit Sangüesa, dated to the 13th century which has its origin in the Camino the Santiago. It is possible to visit the church Santa Maria La Real in Romanesque style.

Day 5: From Sangüesa to Monreal, 27 km approx.

Today’s stage is quite hard as we’ll go uphill to the village of Izco to descend later gradually to Monreal, a small village which we will have the opportunity to visit. Today we leave Aragon to enter Navarra.

Day 6: From Monreal to Puente La Reina, 30 km approx.

We approach Puente La Reina, the place where both routes of the Camino Francés meet. We have a very nice stage before us. We will go through several villages before reaching Eunate where we can visit its beautiful octagonal church in Romanesque style.

Day 7: Puente La Reina

Free day to visit this small village in the heart of Navarra. We can cross the bridge that gives the town its name.

Transfer to Pamplona or Bilbao airport.

* It is possible to extend the stay in Puente la Reina or to arrange a transfer and to extend the stay in Pamplona, if you are interested please contact Viajes Orbis. When extending your stay, apart from enjoying the city, we can arrange some excursions.

*It is also posible to combine various trips, e.g. follow the Way of Saint James to Burgos, Astorga or until Santiago.

 

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