Distance
24.1km
Ascent
1373m
Walking time
8 h 30 min
Stage 1 / 33 · Camino Francés
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port Roncesvalles
From November to March the Napoleon route (Lepoeder) is closed: take the Valcarlos route.
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles: 24.1 km, 1373 m of ascent and 593 m of descent, about 8 h 30 min on foot. Stage 1 of 33 on the Camino Francés. All stages · Camino Francés · Where to stay in Roncesvalles
km
24.1Ascent
1373mDescent
593mWalking time
8 h 30 minDifficulty
Demandinghighest point
1437mYour Camino, with nothing to worry about
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Elevation profile24.1 km · ↑1373 m · ↓593 m · max 1437 m
Real route and elevations (OpenStreetMap and digital terrain model). · Updated September 2026
Map
History and what to see
The founding stage: the Napoleon route climbs from the walled town of Saint-Jean, with its Porte Saint-Jacques and Vauban citadel, to the Lepoeder pass (1,430 m) along the crossing used by Charlemagne and medieval pilgrims. In Roncesvalles, the 13th-century Gothic collegiate church, the Silo of Charlemagne and the pilgrim mass at 20:00 close the day. In winter the pass closes and the route goes via Valcarlos.
Villages along the way
| Village | km | Altitude | Services |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port | 0 | 170 m | BarShopPharmacyATMAlbergueDoctor |
| Huntto | 5.5 | 500 m | BarAlbergue |
| Orisson | 7.8 | 720 m | BarAlbergue |
| Collado de Lepoeder | 20 | 1430 m | — |
| Roncesvalles · Places to stay | 24.2 | 950 m | BarShopAlbergue |
Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Portkm 0 · 10
Central Hotel
Hotel
Hôtel des Pyrénées
HotelWhere to stay in Roncesvalles
Casa de los Beneficiados
Hotel · 52 beds
Hotel Roncesvalles
Hotel · 32 bedsOrreagako ostatua
HotelErromesen aterpetxea
Hotel · 183 bedsFAQ
How long from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles?
About 8 h 30 min at a normal pace, over 24.2 km with 1260 m of ascent.
Where to stay in Roncesvalles?
Our guide lists 10 places, from €999 a night.
Is it a hard stage?
Difficulty demanding: 1260 m up and 480 m down; the highest point is 1437 m.
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