Intro to the Camino: St Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona

Small Group Adventure | Local Expert Guide – Life Changing Experience

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Cross the Pyrenees: A Challenging Introduction to the Camino de Santiago

A 4-Day, 3-Night Hiking Adventure from France into Spain

A short, serious challenge for hikers who want a real taste of the Camino Frances — without committing weeks to it.

Starting in the medieval French town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, this trip tackles one of the most demanding and celebrated stretches of the entire Camino de Santiago: the crossing of the Pyrenees via the legendary Napoleon Route. Over 3 days of guided hiking, you’ll climb from the valley floor to over 1,400 metres above sea level, cross the border from France into Spain on foot, descend into the historic mountain village of Roncesvalles, and follow the Río Arga through the Basque countryside toward Pamplona — the first major city on the Camino Frances. It’s tough, it’s beautiful, and it’s exactly the kind of short-format challenge that gives hikers a genuine sense of what makes the Camino legendary.

Every detail is handled so you can focus on the trail: a local English/Spanish-speaking guide walks with you each day, your luggage is transferred ahead to each hotel, and you’ll stay in private-bathroom accommodations throughout — including a well-earned finish at a 5-star boutique hotel in Pamplona, with a full rest day built in to recover and explore before heading home.

Group Hiking Camino De Santiago

PRIMARY AIRPORT

Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) - Porto

START / FINISH CITY

Porto, Portugal / Santiago, Spain

AVERAGE TEMPERATURE

Day: 15°C/59°F - Night: 28°C/84°F (Varies by season)

MAX ELEVATION

1150 ft (350 metres)

ACCOMMODATIONS

8 Nights Rural Hotels with Private Bathroom

TREKKING DISTANCE

5 Days - 100 Kilometres / 62 Miles

What People Are Saying...

  • Matt is an excellent, detailed and caring agent through Adventuredesk! He helped me out with planning a trip to Morocco through Intrepid Travel in April 2023. He provided great suggestions and advice regarding flights and how to be cost effective and save. I would definitely recommend Matt for my next vacation and trip!

    Husayn Hirji Avatar Husayn
    November 15, 2023

    The trip to Andalucia was great. Christina was a wonderful guide. Knowledgeable and calm, clear instructions. Knowledge of nice places to eat and visit. Good leader. Susan was a fabulous hike leader and took us to a good restaurant. Knowledge of floral and fauna and customs. Thanks to Matt for staying on top of things. Hotel rooms and recording flights etc. The hotels were great. One hotel has hard beds Seville I think. Otherwise comfortable. Good trip

    Laura Smales Avatar Laura
    November 15, 2023

    We had a great experience working with Adventuredesk to help plan our dream wedding trip to Tanzania. From the Mt. Kilimanjaro hike, going on safari, and having a small ceremony in Zanzibar - we cannot thank Adventuredesk enough for their planning, listening to what we wanted, putting together an itinerary that was both adventurous and relaxing, connecting us with guides who were knowledgable, kind, and have since become friends, always being willing to answer questions and very responsive. Special thanks to Matt Kinch who we worked with directly.

    Mackie McDonald Avatar Mackie
    August 15, 2024
  • Costa Rica was an amazing experience and it was all because Matt at Adventuredesk made sure everything was what it needed to be. From the Rio Pacuaro to La Fortuna and ending in Tamarindo we enjoyed the adventures, the food, the culture and the people. Matt was so nice and easy to work with, and I truly feel we left this trip as friends. thanks Matt for everything! It was, as I said, Mucho Mucho!!

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    Daniel Byrne Avatar Daniel
    December 15, 2023

    Overall a great trip, however there were some excursions that could have been omitted and the itinerary was too jam packed, there was no downtime for people to rest and do their own thing. Also there was some minsformation communicated before the trip. It was indicated that there would be banks/atms and places would accept credit/debit but it turned out 95% of the places only took cash and if you did not bring enough cash, it would've been difficult to buy food/tip and purchase other goods. Very few atm's took canadian debit cards. The spa was a waste of a day, more time could've been spent in Quito.

    Viren Parmar Avatar Viren
    September 15, 2024

    The team at Adventuredesk helped me to organise a trip to Qubec for a Spartan Race for myself and clients at the gym. Their service was quick and efficient, organising both accomodation and additional activities around the race such as whitewater rafting and a Scandinavian Spa day. Assistance was provided whenever needed also. Overall I cannot recommend Adventuredesk enough for any of your travel needs.

    Tom Richardson Avatar Tom
    July 15, 2024
  • I’ve had the pleasure of traveling with Tropos Gym through Adventure Desk twice now, and both experiences were nothing short of amazing! Adventure Desk truly knows how to turn a trip into an unforgettable adventure. From the seamless planning to the exciting activities, everything was handled with exceptional professionalism and a great sense of fun. The trips were packed with thrilling experiences and well-organized itineraries that kept us engaged and entertained from start to finish. The guides were knowledgeable, friendly, and always ready to go the extra mile to ensure we had the best time possible. What stood out the most was the attention to detail and the genuine passion for adventure that Adventure Desk brings to every trip. They took care of everything, allowing us to fully immerse ourselves in the journey and enjoy every moment. I can't recommend Adventure Desk enough for anyone looking to embark on a thrilling and well-organized adventure. I’m already looking forward to my next trip with them! ????????✨

    Katrina Leighton Avatar Katrina
    July 15, 2024

    Adventuredesk has been my go-to partner for all our adventure travel trips. They have helped us with two amazing trips and we have four more on the calendar for 2024. Matt has helped us from brainstorming and planning sessions, building out the trips to sales support to our community. One of the things I value most is his communication and quick response time. He is easy to get a hold of to answer questions and provide us with whatever we need. Matt and Adventuredesk will be planning all our trips moving forward!! Thank you, Matt!!

    Ann Chisholm Avatar Ann
    December 15, 2023

    I’ve had the best experience with AdventureDesk! Prior to working with them I was planning all the logistics for our trips and I’m glad to have this off my plate and in the capable hands of Matt and his team. Excellent service, follow through and communication. They went above and beyond to make sure my group had an unforgettable experience!

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    Kyle Depiesse Avatar Kyle
    April 15, 2024

Trip Highlights

  • Cross the Pyrenees on the Legendary Napoleon Route – Follow the same mountain pass used by pilgrims for over 1,000 years, climbing through spectacular alpine scenery on the border between France and Spain.
  • Walk in the Footsteps of Pilgrims – Experience the oldest and most iconic starting point on the Camino Frances, one of the most historic pilgrimage routes in the world.
  • Arrive at the Historic Roncesvalles Monastery – Reach this legendary mountain village at the end of the toughest stage of the entire Camino, steeped in Carolingian history and pilgrim tradition.
  • Follow the Río Arga Through the Basque Countryside – Wind through small Navarrese villages, including the birthplace of cyclist Miguel Induráin, on your final approach into Pamplona.
  • Finish in Style in Pamplona – Reward the challenge with a stay at a boutique hotel and a full rest day to explore the city famous for its Running of the Bulls.
  • Fully Supported, Every Step of the Way – A local guide, daily luggage transfers, private-bathroom accommodations, and included dinners with wine mean you can focus entirely on the trail.
  • The Perfect Short-Format Camino Challenge – Ideal for hikers who want to experience the most demanding and dramatic stage of the Camino Frances without committing to the full multi-week pilgrimage.

Ready for Your Own Camino Adventure?

Whether you’re bringing a group of friends, planning a corporate retreat, or simply want to be first in line for our next departure, we’d love to help you get there.

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Legendary Adventures Only

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 - Arrive Pamplona

Arrive in Pamplona anytime - get some rest and a good meal, tomorrow we cross the border into France for the beginning of our Camino Adventure.

Day 2 - St. Jean Pied de Port – Roncesvalles (24KM)

You will begin your Camino de Santiago driving from Pamplona to Saint Jean Pied de Port, known as the unofficial start point of the French Way taking the so-called Route of Napoleon. The spectacular valleys and mountains of the Pyrenees will be your companions during this stage. After crossing the natural border between France and Spain you will arrive at your destination, the picturesque and historic Roncesvalles.

Day 3 – Stage Roncesvalles – Akerreta 28KM

Today you will travel from Malaga to Seville by train. Arrive to the enchanting city of Seville. Your tour leader will organize taxis from the train station to your hotel. Check in, freshen up and get to know the city’s sights on an orientation walk with your trip leader. On day 3 visit the Metropol Parasol for amazing views, climb the Giralda Tower, part of the Cathedral in Seville or visit the Alcázar. At night, join the included Flamenco show excursion for vibrant Spanish culture show!

Day 4 – Stage Akerreta – Pamplona 15KM

From Akerreta, in the incredible Esteribar Valley, you will start today ́s stage. you will once again follow the course of the Arga River to pass through small population centers such as Irotz where the 16th century Church of San Pedro is located. You will continue your Camino through Villalba, birthplace of the cyclist Miguel Indurain, and Burlada. The latter announces the early arrival in Pamplona, the first city on the Camino Frances from Saint Jean Pied de Port.

Day 6: Pamplona Explorations

Today we enjoy Pamplona and sleep in, enjoy an amazing breakfast, and take advantage of the amenities of the hotel. Afterwards, we head to the city centre for some time to explore the narrow streets, eat amazing Pinxos and of course some refreshments.

Day 7: Depart Pamplona

After breakfast, make your way back to the airport for your flight home.

What's Included

  • Accommodation in Boutique Rural Hotels – Stay 6 nights/7 days in carefully selected hotels. No bunks or dorm rooms here. Enjoy charming countryside inns, each offering private bathrooms, local character, and peaceful rest after each day’s hike.
  • Delicious Daily Breakfasts & Dinners Included – Start each morning with a nourishing breakfast and unwind in the evenings with specially curated group dinners, featuring regional Portuguese and Galician dishes that celebrate local flavors and culture.
  • Fully Supported Camino Hike with Local Guides – Walk the first and some of the hardest terrain on the camino with an experienced local guides who provide cultural insight, trail support, and encouragement every step of the way.
  • Luggage Transfers & On-the-Ground Assistance – Enjoy the ease of hiking with just your daypack, as your luggage is transferred daily and our team ensures smooth logistics and support throughout the journey.
  • Pre-Trip Zoom Calls & Tailored Training Plan – Prepare with confidence through guided virtual sessions, personalized training plans, and connection with your Camino community before departure.

not Included

  • International and Domestic Airfare
  • Tipping and Alcoholic Drinks
  • Souvenirs
  • Transfers from airport to hotel and vice versa (see add-on options for transfer package)

Meet Your Host

The Camino de Santiago is a legendary Trail and our clients love it - so much so that it keeps us coming back every year. This trip is the perfect Introduction to the Camino and will have you coming back for more.

Matt Kinch - Adventuredesk Founder

Hiking the Camino Group Adventure
Adventuredesk Founder Matt Kinch (right) on the Camino Frances 2024

Trip Extensions and Add-Ons

Transfer Package

Airport transfers in Peru

Avoid the hassle of negotiating with a taxi and have our drivers pick you up on arrival and drop you off at the end of your adventure.

Upgraded Accommodation

Accommodation Upgrade in Cusco Peru

Make your adventure a little bit more comfortable with handpicked Boutique Accommodation Upgrades, allowing you to rest your head in comfort each day.

Madrid

Extend your travels and enjoy some time in the city of Madrid – enjoy tapas, culture and some down time before you head home.

Group Hiking in Southern Spain

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