Geographic Adventures, Tours & Travel
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A cultural connection of walkers to landscapes and local life.
EXCLUSIVE! Jo Ann Taylor, founder of The Walking Connection is your host and walking companion for this small group adventure.
May 21 - 31, 2023 BOOK NOW for 2022 pricing!
11- Days, 10 Nights
Two Paths - One of most popular, and one of the least traveled.
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$5998USD
per person, double occupancy
750 USD Deposit Due With Registration
WALKING
Since the Middle Ages, pilgrims have trekked to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain. Many routes have been traveled over the centuries and on this unique itinerary, you will have the opportunity to walk on two of them.
The Camino Frances (French Camino) and the Camino del Norte (Northern Camino) are the only paths recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites for their living memory of spiritual, cultural, artistic and economic importance of the historic pilgrimage routes as part of the European identity.
Explore the dramatically varied landscapes of northern Spain. As you switch between the more famous Camino Frances and the more dramatic and lesser-known Camino del Norte, the contrast between the dry central plateau and the lush green pastures of the Cantabrian coast are remarkable.
CONNECTION
Our selection of walks and visits balance the beauty of the natural landscape with the most interesting historical sites and charming, comfortable accommodation. What makes this journey so special is the people you meet along the way. From your guides and hosts to shepherds, villagers, pilgrims and your fellow walkers.
Hiking the Camino with Walking Connection means your journey was crafted in concert with local experts and curated by Jo Ann Taylor. With over 30 years of experience, Jo Ann is a pioneer in adventure travel and a leader in creating unique walking travel experiences in more than 30 countries around the world.
Our journey in Spain will be led by a knowledgeable, local hiking guide and a driver-guide to provide optional shorter hike distances for hikers of most abilities. To enjoy the most scenic portions of the Camino, there will be transfers each day to the start of our walks and at the end of the day to our next charming hotel. These transfers may be anywhere from 15 minutes to 2 hours depending on the day.
Camino Highlights
CREATE CONNECTIONS
We offer a unique opportunity to explore the two main routes followed from the early ninth century by pilgrims from all around Europe to reach the Holy town of Santiago de Compostela in Northwest Spain.
ONE IS GOOD. TWO IS BETTER
With dramatically varied landscapes of northern Spain, this guided small group trip switches between the more famous 'Camino Frances' and the more dramatic and lesser known 'Camino del Norte'. The contrast between the dry central plateau and the lush green pastures of the Cantabrian coast are amazing.
BETTER WALKS, BETTER LIFE
This journey consists of walking what we think are the most emblematic and beautiful stretches of the Camino Frances between the Pyrenees and Santiago de Compostela as well as some sections of the Camino Vadiniense, Lebaniego and Norte. The walks we have chosen convey the changing landscapes as you move along the different Caminos.
Your Experience
Level of Activity
You walk seven stages over the course of this trip, each varies somewhat in length, but on average you will be walking around 6 - 9 miles (10 - 15 km) a day with shorter walks also available on most days.
The nature of the walking depends on the region you are passing through, but by and large, it is on very good, wide paths and tracks. On one of the days the walk is almost entirely uphill as you cross into Galicia but the gradient is steady with an optional pick up point along the way.
LOCAL TRANSPORTATION ON DEMAND!
Our privately available minibus means that there is flexibility to shorten the walk, skip some of the walks or be picked up in middle points.
Level of Comfort
The sleeping accommodations on this journey are very comfortable, always en suite, and always with lots of personality. Although star ratings are not particularly helpful when it comes to small hotels in more rustic environments, you should expect European Standard 4-star+ along the way.
Please note that this is a journey in which you move hotels most every night with a two night stay midway. This provides a certain pace to the trip which you should be prepared for. After a day or so expect to hit a comfortable rhythm.
Since you are travelling essentially the width of northern Spain over the course of this trip, the weather will change from day to day. We expect the weather to be basically dry until you get into Galicia where rain is more likely.
Temperatures at the very start and very end of the trip should be around 10°- 20°c (50°- 60°f), as you travel across the plains of Castile, daytime highs are much warmer at 25°- 30°c (85°f).
Level of Culture
We have selected our highlights of the Camino partly on the basis of the physical transitions from region to region but also very much on the basis that each day should reflect a cultural transition too as you move from region to region of Spain.
As well as the more obvious definition of culture, it's important to remember just how good the food and wine is along this journey. And besides, viticulture counts as culture. It is remarkable on this trip just how many different D.O. (denominated origin) regions you travel through. You will be able to sample wines which are rarely seen beyond the shores of Spain.
With the changes in wines, so too the food varies by region. From the splendid beef of Navarra through the lamb of the plains and the seafood of Galicia, each part of Spain has its own cuisine of which people are intensely protective and proud.
Day-By-Day
Please note that the details of this itinerary are subject to change. Many of the planned activities are organized according to availability, events or seasonal dates, appropriate weather conditions or the discretion of our guides. We make every effort to provide the experience described in the itinerary with the understanding that some things may change.
YOUR COMFORT IS DEFINED BY CHOICE
Local resident, English speaking guides and driver/guides will lead our small private group. Along with your Walking Connection host and escort, there will be options most days for a long hike, a shorter distance or the choice to take the day off. Your choice!
DAY 1
Pyrenees
Walk Options: For your first day's walk on the Camino, enjoy an introduction to the week ahead. With very little elevation change, you can start with an easy warm up for just a few miles or trek up to 7 miles (11.5 km). Your choice! With our own expert hiking guide leading the way, we will have access to our private vehicle along with a driver guide for flexibility.
Meals included: Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Pompaelo
Starting in Bilbao, we take a drive up into the foothills of the Spanish Pyrenees to Roncesvalles, the traditional start point of the Camino in Spain. The landscape is one of lovely small villages set in the rolling pastures and forests of the Basque Pyrenees. Over the course of the day, you gradually descend through villages and woodland towards the village of Zubiri where you end today's walk.
After a refreshment in the village bar, you are picked up for the short drive to your hotel in the heart of the old city of Pamplona. Take time this evening to stroll around the heart of the city with your guides, following the route of the encierro, also known as the running of the bulls, made so famous by Hemingway. Tonight enjoy a welcome dinner in a local restaurant.
DAY 2
La Rioja
Walk Options: Passing through various villages along the way, there will be several points at which you will have the option to finish your walk and enjoy the local life. For those that would like to walk the full distance, your total for the day will be 9.25 miles (14.8 km).
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Parador Bernardo de Fresneda - Santa Domingo
A short transfer from Pamplona brings you to the start point of today's walk. As you are now moving away from the mountains, the terrain changes to open, rolling landscapes punctuated by villages rich in history, including Puente de la Reina, one of the prettiest villages along the entire Camino. Cross Medieval and Roman bridges, passing olive groves and small vineyards as you continue your journey along the Camino towards the hill top village of Cirauqui.
At the end of today's walk, you transfer around an hour to the Rioja area where we visit one of the famous wineries before settling in the Parador of the historical town of Santo Domingo do la Calzada.
DAY 3
Burgos
Walk Options: Walk through varied terrain from bird-filled forests to more barren landscapes for a maximum distance of 6.2 miles (10 km). If you prefer a shorter walk, you have the option to go directly to Burgos after the hikers are taken to the start of their walk and explore the village.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Palacio de los Blasones
Start the day with a one hour transfer to the start point of today's walk in the Montes de Oca. In the olden days, the traverse of the Montes de Oca was one of the most feared stretches of the pilgrimage due to bandits. Follow a wide track through the forest until you reach the beautiful monastery that was built by San Juan de Ortega to offer support to pilgrims.
Today's route finishes near Atapuerca, which is arguably the most important archaeological site on earth. At the site, 1 million years of human presence are being excavated, the oldest evidence of humans in western Europe. Stay in the heart of Burgos, famous for its enormous gothic cathedral and its particularly good food. Enjoy an early evening city tour with our local guide before dinner. There is also a fantastic museum in Burgos which contains the world's largest hominid collection and an exhibit on Human Evolution.
DAY 4
Leon
Walk Options: With endless grain filled hills stretching out before you, set out across the vast plains for a 7 mile (11 km) walk. A shorter 3 mile walk is available for those that choose, or enjoy free time in nearby San Martin de Fromista, a village with a number of interesting churches.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Parador León
From the old town of Castrojeriz, set off across the Tierra de Campos with its huge grain fields and enormous skies. The landscape is dotted with small villages and impressive churches with nesting storks. This is deep Spain and leaves you with a fantastic sense of the vast emptiness of central Spain.
Spend the night in the town of Leon, where you can enjoy the famous stained glass windows of its gothic Cathedral and the lively bars and restaurants of El Humedo quarter.
DAY 5
Picos de Europa
Walk Options: Walk 7.15 miles (11.5 km) along the Camino Vadiniense into the Picos de Europa National Park. For anyone that prefers not to walk today, you will be transferred by our driver/guide to the next hotel and enjoy an optional free day.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
Accommodation: Hotel Del Oso
From Leon, transfer north into the Cantabrian range to hike down into the Liebana valley, admiring the high vertical peaks of the Picos de Europa as you follow the Camino Vadiniense. This route was historically used to visit the important relics that were hidden in the Liebana Valley in the 8th century, to keep them from the Muslims conquering the Peninsula from the South.
The Picos de Europa is the first National Park established in Spain in 1918 and a unique reserve of wildlife and traditional farming culture. Walk past mountain pastures and beech forests to arrive in Fuente De,a remote setting deep in the mountains. From here, a short transfer will deliver you to your cozy, family-run hotel.
DAY 6
Three Caminos!
Walk Options: Our hike will take us along the Deva Valley and past Santo Toribio Monastery on your way to Potes. If you opt for the full distance, you will cover 7 miles (11 km) or for a shorter walk of several miles, you will be picked up along the way. Enjoy the walk your way!
Meals included: Breakfast
Accommodation: Hotel Don Paco
Walk on three different Caminos in one day. Start the day walking along the Camino Vadiniense, traversing forests, pastures and villages under the towering Picos de Europa. Close to the town of Potes, you reach the Monastery of Santo Toribio de Liebana, where the famous relics of the Lignum Crucis have been kept since the 8th century. From this point you join the Camino Lebaniego to finish your walk in the historic town of Potes.
Enjoy a walk around its cobbled streets and bridges and refresh yourself before your transfer to the Cantabrian Coast. Settle for the night in the picturesque fishing town of Llanes, one of the loveliest villages along the Camino del Norte and an excellent place to dine on seafood at one of numerous restaurants.
DAY 7
LLanes
Walk Options: We will be staying in Llanes for two nights, so that you can have two options. Walk along the Camino del Norte and the rugged Cantabrian coast for a complete day's walk of 10 miles (16 km) or take a free day and enjoy Llanes on your own.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Don Paco
Enjoy a relaxed morning in Llanes with time for an early morning stroll along the Medieval town and port before taking the local narrow gauge train for 10 km to the village of Pendueles. From here, walk back to Llanes along the Northern Camino de Santiago, past small villages and enjoying great views of the roughed Cantabrian coastline, following the path along high cliffs and past coves of white sand ideal for a quick dip! In the evening, explore the great dining options in town, ranging from local fish and seafood places to Michelin-starred restaurants.
DAY 8
Astorga
Walk Options: Walking the Camino Frances, we will follow the way to the old Roman town of Astorga with a choice of a 3.7 mile (6 km) OR a 6.2 mile (10 km) walk.
Meals included: Breakfast, Lunch
Accommodation: Hotel Via de la Plata
Today we travel south across the Cantabrian range towards Leon to start hiking to the town of Astorga. Your starting point is the village of Orbigo, you traverse holm oak forests and open fields.
In Astorga, you meet another historic path of Iberia as you reach the Via de la Plata, a branch of the pilgrimage which comes up from Seville following an old Roman road. In Roman times, Astorga was the administrative center of a region rich with gold deposits. As early as the 3rd century, the town was a bishopric and this rich history is evidenced today by the sheer number of important religious buildings built here through the ages. Of particular note is the Episcopal Palace, designed by Anton Gaudi.