Route Napoléon on the Camino de Santiago

In medieval Europe, the Camino de Santiago was the most prominent pilgrimage route. Pilgrims traveled for months to reach Santiago de Compostela, Spain, which is known for housing the tomb of Saint James the Apostle, which was moved from the Holy Land.

The Camino de Santiago, also known as the Chemin de Compostelle or the Way of Saint James, is still popular among pilgrims and hikers nowadays. Some hikers spend weeks or months finishing portions of the trail or even the entire journey. Route Napoléon is one of the most difficult sections of the Camino de Santiago. The hike starts at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, a classic Basque town with cobblestone streets and red-shuttered buildings. Hikers will go across the Pyrenees Mountains over 25 kilometers, climbing 700 meters in altitude. This trail shows you unspoiled countryside landscapes, charming villages and small towns that makeup Wallonia.