Camino Frances from Logrono to Burgos (1 week)
About this trip.
Comparing firms? Every Camino holiday on Mooch, route by route.
Before you book: Walking holidays vs cycling holidays — when each one is the right answer · Which Camino route is right for you — an honest opinion on each of the seven
Logroño is the capital of the La Rioja wine region, and this week on the Camino Francés starts there. It's worth taking time in the city before you set off, with tapas in the lively Calle del Laurel and plenty of artisan ice cream makers. The walk ends in Burgos, home of El Cid and seen by many as the Gothic capital of Spain. It suits anyone who has already walked the last 100km from Sarria to Santiago, and anyone who wants the Camino Francés on slightly easier ground than the earlier stages of the French Way. The towns along the way are good for fresh Spanish produce and home-grown wines. In September the Fiesta de la Vendimia Riojana, the Rioja grape harvest festival, takes place.
From Logroño to Santo Domingo de la Calzada
You leave Logroño through the old pilgrims' gate, the Puerta del Camino. The first day is long but shouldn't be too hard. After the city edges you're back among the vineyards of La Rioja. You pass through Navarrete, a 12th-century town built by the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, which has the Baroque church of La Ascensión. The day ends in Nájera, a medieval town with strong links to the Camino and wide views over the region.
The next day follows quiet country roads with the La Demanda mountain to the south. You pass Azofra, the start of the Monasteries route. That route is off the Camino, but with extra days it's worth the detour to the Yuso and Suso monasteries of San Millán de la Cogolla, thought of as the birthplace of the Spanish language. You arrive in Santo Domingo de la Calzada, whose medieval centre has been a key stop for pilgrims since the Middle Ages.
Belorado, Atapuerca and Burgos
From Santo Domingo you start on uneven ground through woodland, then cross crop fields. Part of the trail runs alongside busy main roads. Near Belorado you get your first sight of the Oca Mountains, the last range before the Meseta. Belorado's Santa María Church has images of St James.
The next day is mostly on earthen tracks and quiet trails. The route winds through oak and pine woods to Villafranca Montes de Oca, then passes San Juan de Ortega and its well-known mausoleum. It ends at Atapuerca, whose UNESCO World Heritage caves have produced fossils and stone tools of the earliest known hominins in Western Europe. If you'd like a gentler pace, you can split this long day into stages of 11km and 18km, with a night at a 3-star hotel in Villafranca Montes de Oca. The last stage takes you into Burgos. There you can see the cathedral, often counted among the finest Gothic buildings in Spain, walk the riverside promenade and eat tapas in the old town.
Where you stay
There are three types of accommodation. The standard collection uses hotels and guesthouses of up to 3 stars, chosen for their character and hospitality and usually in town centres close to the trail. Country Cottages, or casas rurales, are restored country homes and farmhouses in rural communities, known for their food. The Superior Collection includes 4- and 5-star hotels, boutique guesthouses and heritage Parador hotels. Where cottages or superior properties aren't available, standard hotels are used instead. All rooms are en-suite. On the rare occasions a hotel is a few kilometres from the trail, transport to and from it is arranged. You can walk or cycle the route, and you can start from Logroño or anywhere else along the Camino Francés.
The shape of the trip.
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.
Q7Can I shorten or extend it?
Usually yes. Many operators offer shorter versions of a route as a standalone, and most will add extra nights at the start or end at their own rates. Ask when you enquire — they'll tailor it before booking.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Three walking holidays, side-by-side.
The two closest walking holidays on Mooch, both on the Camino. Prices are the operators' own, per person.
