Route – Camino Francés 2013

Beginning in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side of the Pyrenees, through Roncesvalles on the Spanish side and then another 780km on to Santiago de Compostela through the major cities of Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos and León, the “French Way” (Camino Francés) is the most popular, and longest, route of the Camino de Santiago.

I started from Roncesvalles, and it took me 31 days.

I flew in and out of Madrid, took a five-hour bus ride to Pamplona, then a terrifying taxi to Roncesvalles. Then a lot of walking.

On day 18, I met my lovely bride Francine in León, and we walked the last two weeks together.

From Santiago, it was a bone-jarringly horrible, horrible bus ride back to Madrid and then a flight home.

Next time, I think, there will planes and trains rather than buses.