Reset search
Camino Francés 2026
  • Robin Abroad
  • Robin Abroad

Camino Francés 2026

I’ll start from St Jean Pied de Port on April 11! I’m expecting to walk for around 5 weeks to cover 500 miles crossing Spain.
This will be my longest Camino so far! Read more
FollowInsightsInsightsCalendarCalendarPhotosPhotosShareShareBucket list
InsightsCalendarPhotos
  • Trip start
    April 9, 2026
    Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    Springtime in Galicia - beautiful!

    Muxía

    March 28 in Spain ⋅ 🌬 55 °F

    Today I did a training hike from my front door to Morquintián and back, about 16.5 km. I carried my backpack with 12 lbs (5.4 kg) and tried out my new Grisport hiking boots. All worked well! It was windy and cool much of the time, but a good first day out. 😁Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad

    Counting the days

    April 5 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 59 °F

    Four days until I depart for France and the Camino! In the meantime, I’m taking a quick excursion to Pontevedra, O Rosal, and northern Portugal. On this Easter Sunday, the weather is magnificent and the Spanish countryside is in its primavera splendor. 😊Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    1Camino!Cookies!

    Viana de Castelo, Portugal

    April 6 in Portugal ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    A quick side trip to Portugal with my friend Caroline today. This little town is so beautiful! It’s coastal with gorgeous Portuguese architecture and charm, and it’s on the Portuguese coastal Camino. The day was warm and sunny ☀️. It’s a nice primer for my upcoming travel.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    My friend Caroline gave me this card. I really like it. 💜

    Moving forward, around, and through

    April 9 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 46 °F

    It begins with roadblocks. Temporary barriers that make a pathway forward more arduous.

    “Obstacle/Hindrance: Hurdle, barrier, impediment, snag, drawback, stumbling block.”

    The idea of stumbling resonates with me and makes me smile. It’s the Camino in a word. We all stumble through life, navigating the uneven ground, the misdirections, and the unexpected.
    I begin (or actually continue) my Camino today as I get ready to board a plane to Madrid, and then another to Bilbao. I flew to Bilbao in June 2024 and began a two week solo walk on the Camino del Norte where there were many imposing obstacles to work through.
    This time, I’ll head in the opposite direction and bus to Bayonne, France to then hop on a train, on Friday, to Saint Jean Pied de Port at the foot of the Pyrenees Mountains.
    The plan is to begin walking Saturday morning and walk to Borda, a rather short distance with considerable elevation gain. It will be an “easy” first day. But the forecast is saying snow Saturday night, so the actual crossing of the mountains could be sketchy.
    My friend Alexander told me, “The level of trial is matched by the gift.” I love this and am ready to continue the path I’ve chosen, roadblocks and all.
    A day of travel!    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad

    Bilbao

    April 9 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F

    A short stop in beautiful Bilbao. I wish I had time to walk around the city. It’s one of my favorite cities in Spain! Another time… catching a bus soon to Bayonne.

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad

    Bayonne to Saint Jean

    April 10 in France ⋅ 🌙 68 °F

    Yesterday was an eternally long travel day, but I finally made it to Bayonne by 7pm. Rested and looked around the quaint old city this morning. Then took the train to Saint Jean Pied de Port midday and met up with Lee here. She has been working at an albergue the last two weeks, and we’ll begin together tomorrow.
    This town is so lovely! It’s an old walled city with the quintessential shuttered windows and stone streets.
    The weather has been warm and wonderful, but rain and snow move in tomorrow. Sunday looks to be a cold and mushy day to Roncesvalles. It might beat hot burning sun, though. Either way, the Camino awaits!    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad

    The most difficult climb…

    April 11 in France ⋅ 🌧 46 °F

    …is behind us! The walk out of St Jean climbs 600 meters in just 9 km to Orrison and Borda. It was cloudy and foggy as we climbed up the Pyrenees mountains. Tonight, it’s raining hard and the temperature has dropped to 5 degrees C. Tomorrow will be a bit brutal, continuing up another 600 meters over a less steep rise in cold and rain/snow. It should take about 5 hours to get to Roncesvalles. We’ll stay at the Monastery there, along with about 100 other pilgrims.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad

    Roncesvalles

    April 12 in Spain ⋅ 🌫 39 °F

    Up and over the Pyrenees today! It was cold and snowy, as promised, but not too bad. Mostly we walked inside a cloud!
    Now I’m in my bunk at the municipal albergue, a large old monastery with 100 beds. It was a tiring day, but all is well after a little food and rest.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    A windy and rainy morning!
    Roncesvalles municipal albergue

    Day Three - Roncesvalles to Urdaniz

    April 13 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 43 °F

    We were woken at 6:00 at the Monastery albergue with Gregorian chants played softly over the speakers. The lights went on and people were instantly rattling around gathering their gear and packing their backpacks. The pilgrim exodus began. It’s an interesting part of staying in a municipal albergue…. Many people are eager to get up and get going very early.
    I, on the other hand, am the “wait until everyone has left and then calmly pack my stuff” kind of pilgrim.
    We started off past 7:30, to Lee’s disapproval, but it was raining and cold so why rush?

    It was a good day, more rain than I expected. Once in a while the sun would come out and I would think our day was about to get warm and sunny! But no, within a few minutes the clouds covered the sun again and more raindrops pelted us. This made for some very muddy conditions! Luckily when we reached Zubiri there was a bike washing station that doubled beautifully as a boot wash!

    I’m coming down with something, signaled by a sore throat. Ugh.
    Tomorrow we make our way to Pamplona. The forecast looks dry, and I’ll be glad for an opportunity to do some washing once we get to a bigger city.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad

    Pamplona

    April 15 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    We decided to take a rest day in Pamplona, so are on night two here. It’s a pretty big city with an old town inside massive stone fortress walls. We have met so many pilgrims in the last few days, and running into people we know has become common. It’s fun to join folks for coffee, pinxos, maybe a tortilla. I’ve been meeting a lot of Americans. Florida, California, Tennessee, North Carolina, Idaho, Alaska, Virginia, Chicago… quite a few people from the Netherlands too.
    The weather has changed to warm, thankfully! I can pack away my rain gear for a few days and will use sunscreen on the walk to Puenta la Reina tomorrow. It could be a long day, but I hear it’s pretty.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad

    Pamplona to Puente la Reina

    April 16 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 61 °F

    Made it through a long day, 24 km with a climb up to Alto de Padron, the famous hill with the iron statue of pilgrims. The countryside is just gorgeous! The rape seed fields (canola) are brilliant yellow amongst rolling hills of barley and peas. The weather has turned warm and sunny. Hot, actually, ready to burn unprotected skin.
    Yesterday, my voice was gone and I wasn’t feeling so great, so we took a rest day and stayed another night in Pamplona. Today, I can croak out a few sentences, but talking is minimal. Still, we are meeting so many cool people! I love the community that we weave in and out of. There is a large group of Koreans in our albergue tonight and they have taken over the kitchen! If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em as they say. So we were offered dinner. 😊 rice and a saucy pork and onion dish. It was nice to be served!    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    Lee on the Roman bridge (one of many! This one is near our albergue)
    VillatuertaAlbergue Etxuerdina2

    Villatuerta

    April 17 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 77 °F

    Today was sunny and hot again as we walked to Villatuerta, a smaller town just this side of Estrella. We wanted to cut down on distance today because 20+ km is just painful. I’m at an age where I don’t feel I have anything to prove, so the next few days will be off-stage at lower distances than the standard 22-26 km per day. My voice is returning and I’m feeling better, but I’m still quite tired. A few shorter days will be very welcome!
    I had some great conversations today. Now I’m spent, sitting beside the river next to the Roman bridge that leads over to our small, quaint albergue. There are only eight beds in one large room. We will prepare our own dinner in the kitchen.
    Tomorrow is thankfully short, just 13 km to the town of Villamayor de Monjardín.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    1

    Villamayor de Monjardín

    April 18 in Spain ⋅ 🌙 57 °F

    This has been the most stunning Camino day! The greens and yellows are spectacular, and we passed the wine fountain and the Camino blacksmith along the way. The end of day walk up to Villamayor de Monjardín was a hot, sweaty slog and the albergue is a bit quirky, but it’s fine and there are good people here. We pitched in to make dinner and had a delicious pilgrims meal.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad

    Sansol

    April 19 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 68 °F

    What a pretty little town. Like a lot of the old villages in this area, it’s built on a hill with a church st the top. It’s quite a sight to see as we approach.
    The albergue Sansol is awesome! There’s a lovely garden with tables and umbrellas, and a foot pool! Ivan runs it and he loves music , so there is a happy musical vibe. He is preparing chicken paella for dinner. We met a couple from New Jersey who loaned me some arnica for my sore shoulder. I took a spill earlier today when my boot laces got caught in the metal grommets. Fell right to the gravel road we were walking on. I was really lucky not to be injured more than a few scrapes and sore spots.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    1

    Lagroño!

    April 21 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F

    Made it to Lagroño. This is a marvelous city! Every street is a walking street and there is a district where you walk down the cobblestones and choose tapas from small bars along the way.
    Reality check; my body feels battered and my backpack is ridiculously heavy. I bought new, lightweight shoes and am sending my boots and half my stuff home today! The days are now hot and long, I’m honestly worn out, but trudging ahead. This is the physical challenge!Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    New shoes!!!
    In LagroñoSt James

    Navarette

    April 21 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    Toddy was such a good day. I felt better, finally, and have lightened my pack by sending a bunch of my things home to Muxia. One of the big things I shipped ahead was my boots! They were annoying me and were too heavy for the now hot weather, so I went to a shoe store in Lagroño where I had excellent service! The guy told me I needed lightweight shoes for the coming Camino segments and threw in a free pair of light socks. Now I’m sporting Mammut shoes that feel really good on my feet.
    It was a short trek today, just 12 km, and I’m sure that added to my happiness today.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    1Our albergue in Navarette
    1Crossing the river in NájeraNájera red cliffsOur Nájera hostel

    Nájera

    April 22 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 75 °F

    We have entered Rioja, the wine country! Today was about 16 km through endless vineyards. The countryside is arid and red, so different from the verdant green fields a few days ago.
    Lee found an albergue with availability here in Nájera, thankfully. The place we originally had in mind is booked, as were many of the places I checked. It’s a nice place on the further side of town so our distance walking out will be slightly shorter tomorrow.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    Wine countryA Western Yellow WagtailMy friend Lisa painted this! 😊Santo Domingo de la Calzada

    Santo Domingo de la Calzada

    April 23 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 70 °F
  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    Coffee stop
    Panadería Jesus - delicious!FountainWalking into BeloradoOur albergue, punto BBubble joyBeautiful plaza in Belorado

    Belorado

    April 24 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 57 °F

    We have left Rioja and entered Castillo - Leon. It was a 22 km day through pretty green fields. Then we hit a stretch on a gravel road that ran along a highway, so it wasn’t as pleasant, but a good day overall.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad

    Santovenia

    April 25 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 64 °F

    We knew today would be a bed race because there were no reservations available between Belorado and Burgos. Two albergues said “first come, first served” so we figured if we left early enough we could get a bed. Up before 6 and out by 6:30. It was a gorgeous morning and the temperatures today were perfect, almost cool. Made it to our hopeful destination, San Juan de Ortega, by noon but the albergue sign said it didn’t open until 1:00. So we rested, had a cool drink at the bar next door, and put our packs in the line. Number 13 and 14 for a hostal with 22 beds. We figured we were in! But after standing in line after they opened, we were told the place was full. Some had managed to get reservations before their online system went down. Rats!
    Luckily, the barman next door was very kind and called an albergue just a couple of km off the route, so we have a place to sleep! 27 km today. My feet are throbbing.    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    1111

    Burgos!

    April 26 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 70 °F

    I’m in the city! Burgos is a beautiful old Spanish city with a spectacular cathedral that I’ll tour tomorrow. Taking a rest day tomorrow, and we have a wonderful apartment in the old town. Today was another long day - 27 km. I am achy and my feet are throbbing, but overall I feel good. By Tuesday morning, I’ll be ready to roll again, onward to the Meseta.
    Last night I met three new women from the Netherlands, Switzerland, and Germany/Italy. Yvonne, Nicole and Carolina, each traveling solo. Then today around lunchtime , I was very happy to see old friends Margaret and Andi at a coffee stop. We all walked from there to Burgos together. We met Andi (from Idaho/Costa Rica) the first night in Borda and Margaret (from Kansas City, MO) a few days later. Funny story, Andi didn’t have a booking for Borda but she called that afternoon and Laurent told her there was a bed available due to a cancellation. Turns out the cancellation was Margaret because the fog was so thick she passed Borda without seeing it and walked on to Roncesvalles! Now we’re all friends. This crazy Camino!    Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad

    Burgos Cathedral ⛪️

    April 28 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 50 °F

    Took the tour of the ages-old Cathedral here in Burgos yesterday. I will need to do a lot of googling and research to understand the complexity of this magnificent building. There are so many parts and sections built in different time periods. It was immense and powerful.Read more

  • Robin AbroadCamino Francés 2026Robin Abroad
    1
    1Camino husky!1Nice muralStopping to smell the roses... and it smelled so sweet!Under 500 km to go!!!Entering HornillosLicorice kittenCamino conversationView from up topKorean restaurant - surprise!Delicious salmon with miso, rice, and pickled peppers1Rain is coming!

    Hornillos del Camino

    April 28 in Spain

    It’s Day 18.
    We have entered the Meseta! I thought it was supposed to be brown and arid, but so far it’s green and beautiful. The heat wasn’t too bad today and there was some cloud cover and a breeze. Very nice! I think it was 21 km from Burgos. The feet were tired after their lovely rest yesterday, but they complied and here I am. Late coming into town meant an upper bunk bed 😕. But a bed is a bed as everything in town is booked out. Now making reservations a couple of days in advance.

    Just had the best Korean dinner! Who would have thought in the middle of nowhere there would be authentic Korean food? The owner did it all himself. Sweet guy.

    Then…. A rainbow! Nature’s way of warning us about deluge we expect tomorrow.    Read more