The Camino de Santiago in the Pyrenees
A network of historic pilgrimage routes taken by millions of Christians, beginning in the early 9th century, who traveled from throughout Europe and beyond to the resting place of St. James the Great, the apostle of Jesus Christ. They sojourned on old Roman roads and ancient trails used by pre-Christian pagan worshipers who followed the Milky Way and the path of the sun to its resting place at Land’s End – Finisterre in the northeastern corner of the Iberian Peninsula.
Most of those pilgrims had to traverse the mighty Pyrenees to enter Iberia. Many crossing points were used, including the famous Napoleon route over Ibaneta pass from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles, used by 90% of modern pilgrims. However, many other routes were used over the centuries, some of which use little-know mountain passes in the higher mountains of the Central Massif of the Pyrenees, the most spectacular terrain of all! It is these that we propose to explore with you!
The Pilgrimage Trails across the Pyrenees from France to Spain
Here are suggested examples of some of the most important Camino routes crossing the Pyrenees. We can create an itinerary focusing on the highlights of each route that is personally adapted to suit your available dates and preferences in terms of difficulty, type of accommodations etc. In all cases, we can also combine these routes with other hikes in nearby spectacular mountain terrain to make a unique and interesting trip of a lifetime.
Put yourselves in the hands of our expert guides, who’ve been leading trips on many different Camino routes since the earliest days of its resurgence in the 1990’s. We know the Camino inside and out, forwards and backwards.
Our guides introduce you to the highlights of each route, including:
-
Native, endemic and unusual flora and fauna
-
Inspiring scenery of mountains, valleys, canyons, forests and rivers
-
Impressive and characteristic geological and topographical features
-
Picturesque medieval villages and traditional architecture
-
Fascinating historic patrimony
-
Rich & diverse culture and art
-
Local customs and festivities
-
Excellent gastronomy and fine wines
El Camino de Roncesvalles
The most well-trodden route over the centuries
The main crossing trail on the Camino Frances, used by 90% of pilgrims today, following the famous Napoleon route over the Ibaneta Pass (1057 m) from St. Jean Pied de Port (France) to Roncesvalles.
(4 days 3 nights). Possible extension to Pamplona (+ 2 days).
El Camino de Somport
Once the most popular route to Spain!
At one time, this was the most widely used crossing point in the medieval pilgrimage. Crossing the Pyrenees over the Somport Pass (1632 m) from Olorón Sainte Marie (France) to Canfranc.
4 days/3 nights. Possible extension to Jaca (+ 1 day).
El Camino de Moins
Walking in the shadow of an extinct volcano
One of the most challenging and beautiful alternatives to the Somport pass route is the Col de Moins (The Monks’ Col) at 2196 meters elevation, from Gabás in the Ossau valley (France) to Canfranc in the Aragón Valley (Spain). En route you pass via the idyllic lakes Lacs d’Ayous in the shadow of an extinct volcano Pic de Midi d’Ossau.
4 days/3 nights. Possible extension to Jaca (+ 1 day).
El Camino de Ordesa
Spectacular terrain in 2 national parks
From the internationally famous pilgrimage site of Lourdes, trails lead through France’s Pyrenees National Park, over the Port de Boucharo/Puerto de Bujaruelo (2271 m) to Torla in Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park in Spain.
4 days/3 nights.
