CF01 - Saint Jean de Pied de Port - Roncesvalles - 21 km

The stage 1 of the Camino de Santiago starts at the Church of Our Lady, located in the old town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. From here, the pilgrim crosses the bridge over the Nive river and continues along rue d'Espagne, one of the main commercial arteries, until reaching the old walled enclosure at the Port d'Espagne.

Route Option: Napoleon vs. Valcarlos Route

At this point, the pilgrim faces an important decision: take the Napoleon Route or follow the Valcarlos route. Both routes have their characteristics, but the Valcarlos route is more accessible, as it follows the N-133 road and crosses the narrow Valcarlos valley, running alongside the river.

Path to Arneguy

From Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the N-133 road is abandoned to cross the Petite Nive, always staying close to the river with the road visible in the distance. The path continues south, crossing the border at Las Ventas and reaching Arneguy after approximately 8 km. Here, the C-135 road is taken to continue towards Valcarlos, a small village located just 2 km from Arneguy.

Ascent to Ibañeta: A Challenge for the Pilgrim

The route continues along the C-135 road for about 8 km, before leaving the asphalt to the left, towards the Ortiga gorge. From here, a steep ascent begins along the Zabaleta path, crossing a small stream before entering a dense forest of hazel trees, beeches, and chestnuts, always under a high-voltage power line.

The Alto de Ibañeta

After more than 2 km of ascent, the pilgrim reaches the road again, passing the Guardian's House. Shortly after, the road is abandoned again to take the Ferrán path, which in just over 1 km leads to the Alto de Ibañeta. From there, a descent begins along the C-135 road, leading to Roncesvalles, the endpoint of this stage of the Camino de Santiago.