Camino route
Camino Francés
The route most people mean when they say "the Camino". It crosses the Pyrenees from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, runs the length of northern Spain through Pamplona, Burgos and León, and finishes in Santiago. It carries the majority of all pilgrims each year, which is why it also has the densest network of albergues, bars and pharmacies of any route.
Distance
764 km
Long enough for a Compostela
Typical walk
33 days
At an unhurried pace
Average stage
23.2 km
Distance ÷ days
Starts at
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Finishes in Santiago de Compostela
Things worth knowing
It is a World Heritage Site
UNESCO inscribed the Spanish stretch of the Camino Francés in 1993, and extended the listing to the northern routes in 2015. The French sections had been listed separately, in 1998.
Two ways over the Pyrenees
From Saint-Jean the Napoleon route climbs high and open over the Col de Lepoeder; the Valcarlos variant follows the valley road. In snow or fog the valley is the one that stays walkable.
The Meseta is the real test
Between Burgos and León the trail crosses the high plain: long, flat, shadeless stages with villages far apart. Plenty of walkers skip it by bus, and plenty of others say it is the best part.
Cruz de Ferro
At around 1,500 m, past Foncebadón, an iron cross on a pole stands in a mound of stones left by pilgrims. Carrying one from home and leaving it there is the most widely kept tradition on the route.
Staying connected on the Camino Francés
Because it runs through France and Spain, a plan bought for only one of them goes dark the day you cross. Walked at an ordinary pace it takes about 33 days, so a plan needs to be valid for at least that long — the days start counting when the eSIM first connects on the trail, not when you buy it.
Coverage on the trail itself is good in towns and along the main valleys and thin in between — that is true of every network, and it is why the useful habit is downloading tomorrow's stage tonight rather than buying a bigger bundle.
Jump to the plans ↓eSIMs that cover the Camino Francés
Camino Francés · 33 days · crosses Spain and France
Showing 86 of 86 plans
for 30 days
Works in France
You will also need an eSIM for Spain.
Covers 30 of your 33 walking days.
for 30 days
Works in Spain, France, Turkey + 36 more countries
Covers your whole route on its own.
Covers 30 of your 33 walking days.
for 30 days
Works in France
You will also need an eSIM for Spain.
Covers 30 of your 33 walking days.
for 30 days
Works in Spain, France, Turkey + 36 more countries
Covers your whole route on its own.
Covers 30 of your 33 walking days.
for 30 days
Works in France
You will also need an eSIM for Spain.
Covers 30 of your 33 walking days.
for 30 days
Works in Spain, France, Turkey + 36 more countries
Covers your whole route on its own.
Covers 30 of your 33 walking days.