Camino Francés Stage 7: Estella to Los Arcos or Sansol

Camino Frances Trail through Rioja

Camino Frances Castilla de Monjardin Vinyard

Camino Frances Trail to Los Arcos

Camino Frances Villamayor de Monjardin

Trail Notes

Camino Francés Elevation

This elevation shows this stage ending in Los Arcos. The albergues were full, so I went to the next town, Sansol, and stayed the night in a beautiful old palace.

• Quick Snapshot

  • Distance:  21–22 km (13.6 miles)

  • Difficulty: moderate to hard

  • Time: 4-5 hours

  • Terrain: A mix of rural, wooded paths and vineyard tracks with a few steep, short climbs and descents, particularly after the Irache Winery.

  • Alternative Transportation: For those not walking, local buses and taxis connect to the next stages.

• Food, Water & Stops

  • Monastery of Irache & Wine Fountain : A famous stop with a free water and wine fountain (open 8am–8pm).

  • Ázqueta: A small village with a café/bar

  • Villamayor de Monjardín: FINAL STOP. The last village with services (shop, bar, albergue).

  • Food Truck/Oasis Often found in the middle of nowhere between Villamayor and Los Arcos, usually run by volunteers offering snacks, drinks, and soup.

  • Los Arcos (End): Several restaurants, shops, and banks.

• Where to Stay

  I stayed in Sansol, a little town past Los Arcos It's a personal choice to stay in the officially staged towns or in the smaller towns outside of the stages. I recommend staying at the Albergues listed here. If you're struggling on this stage and the last 3 km are too far, there is a bus from Los Arcos to Sansol.

  • Palacio de Sansol (pas Los Arcos) 16-18€ Highly recommend

  • Albergue Sansol 16-18€

  • El Olivo de Sansol 47€Nearby essentials: groceries, café, clothing, pharmacy.

• Tips for Future Pilgrims

  • Take care of your body! You have to eat, snack, and take time to rest during this hike. If you don’t, your body will start resisting the hike. Drink plenty of water. When you feel thirsty, you're already dehydrated.

  • Booking accommodations, mix it up: stay in private albergues or private rooms with bathrooms in hostels. or a private room with shared bathrooms to find the accommodations that fit your style of hiking. I booked private rooms on my rest days in the large cities of Leon, Burgos, and Santiago. This is highly recommended. Getting proper sleep in a large bed with a private bath makes a big difference both mentally and physically.

  • Foot Care: keep your feet dry. Change your socks

  • Fingerless gloves are good to have. They protect your hands from the sun and prevent blisters.

  • Stop by the Irachi Monastary for free wine!

Camino Francés Fields of Rapeseed

Camino Frances View from Alto de Perdon

Camino Frances Cirauqui Hilltop Medieval Village

Journal

I was tired today and happy to get to the hostel. It looks like all of us women have given up on our makeup and hair. We kind of looked like curly-headed llamas, but none of us cared. -That Eva

• Your packing list post

• Your “Start Here” post