{"id":14848,"date":"2025-04-24T22:58:12","date_gmt":"2025-04-24T20:58:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/?page_id=14848"},"modified":"2026-09-17T15:22:22","modified_gmt":"2026-09-17T13:22:22","slug":"where-to-start","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/where-to-start\/","title":{"rendered":"Where to Start the Camino Frances"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Where to Start the Camino de Santiago Frances?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Where to Start the Camino Frances? A Complete Guide to Choosing Your Ideal Starting Point<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The Camino de Santiago Frances<\/a><\/strong> is the most iconic and heavily walked Jacobean route, running from Saint Jean Pied de Port, in France, to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela<\/a><\/strong> in the city of Santiago de Compostela<\/a><\/strong>. Choosing the right starting point is crucial to tailoring the experience to your goals, available time and physical condition. Below, we explore the main options for beginning this thousand-year-old adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Saint Jean Pied de Port: The Pyrenean Challenge<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Located in south-western France, Saint Jean Pied de Port is the traditional starting point of the Camino de Santiago Frances. From here, the first stage to Roncesvalles<\/a><\/strong> involves crossing the Pyrenees, with a total ascent of around 1,250 metres and a descent of 485 metres, over a distance of about 25 km. This stage is demanding, but offers stunning scenery and the satisfaction of conquering one of the Camino’s most challenging sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Roncesvalles: Starting in Navarra<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just 24 km from Saint Jean Pied de Port, Roncesvalles<\/a><\/strong> is a popular choice for those who prefer to avoid the demanding Pyrenean crossing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This small town, steeped in history and spirituality, marks the start of the Camino on Spanish soil. From here, the route continues through varied landscapes and towns with a rich Jacobean tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Logrono: Amid Vineyards and Rioja Culture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Starting the Camino in Logrono<\/a><\/strong> means walking around 600 km to Santiago, over about 27 stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This stretch runs through the wine-growing region of La Rioja<\/a><\/strong>, with landscapes of vineyards and farmland, and cities with a notable cultural heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Burgos: Across the Castilian Meseta<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From Burgos<\/a><\/strong>, the Camino stretches for about 485 km, usually completed in 21 stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This stretch offers the experience of walking across the Castilian meseta, with its vast cereal fields and villages that preserve the essence of the Camino.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Leon: Ideal for Two Weeks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Leon<\/a><\/strong> is a perfect starting point if you have around 15 days.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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From here, you will walk approximately 307 km to Santiago, crossing landscapes such as the Montes de Leon and the Bierzo valley, and discovering architectural and cultural gems along the way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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O Cebreiro: Entering Galicia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

O Cebreiro<\/a><\/strong>, on the border between Castile and Leon (Leon Province<\/a><\/strong>) and Galicia (Lugo Province<\/a><\/strong>), is a popular starting point for those wishing to walk the final 150 km of the Camino.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This stretch is known for its green Galician landscapes, charming villages and a rich cultural tradition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sarria: The Most Popular Option<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sarria<\/a><\/strong> is the busiest starting point, since from here you walk the last 100 km required to obtain the Compostela<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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This stretch, usually completed in 5 stages, offers an accessible experience and the chance to share the Camino de Santiago with many pilgrims<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where to Start the Camino de Santiago Frances?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Choosing where to start the Camino de Santiago Frances<\/a><\/strong> should be based on your personal goals, available time and level of physical preparation. Whether you’re looking for a physical challenge, a cultural or spiritual experience, or simply to enjoy nature and the company of other pilgrims, there’s an ideal starting point for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Ready to start your Camino?<\/strong> Plan your route, pack your backpack and set off on an unforgettable journey to Santiago de Compostela.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Where to Start the Camino de Santiago Frances? Where to Start the Camino Frances? A Complete Guide to Choosing Your Ideal Starting Point The Camino de Santiago Frances is the most iconic and heavily walked Jacobean route, running from Saint Jean Pied de Port, in France, to the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-14848","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14848","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=14848"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/14848\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/caminodesantiagofrances.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=14848"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}