Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port → Roncesvalles
A stage of the Camino Francés
The Camino Francés begins with its most demanding single day: 23.1 km from the French Basque town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port up and over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles, with 1,223 m of climbing that makes this one of the steepest stages on any major Camino route. The classic route ascends exposed mountain terrain before descending 500 m into Spain, rewarding the effort with wide-open views across two countries. Arrive early in Roncesvalles, a small pilgrim settlement built around a historic monastery that has sheltered walkers for centuries.
- 23.1 kmDistance
- ↑1223 m ↓500 mElevation
- StrenuousDifficulty
- 0 kmfrom route start
Highlights
- Pyrenees ridge crossing
- Views into Spain and France
- Historic monastery at Roncesvalles
- First Camino stamp of the journey
Towns on this stage
Find accommodation in Roncesvalles →Distances and elevation come from real OpenStreetMap footpath geometry. In the planner you can split or merge any stage to match your pace.