Roncesvalles to Zubiri
After the effort of crossing the Pyrenees, a mostly downhill day through the gentle hills of Navarre to the historic Puente de la Rabia, over the river Arga.
Best season: Spring to autumn
Map
- Roncesvalles
- Zubiri
FEAACS track published by IGN. Follow current trail signs.
Source: IGN/CNIG · FEAACS · CC BY 4.0 · Accessed:
Gaps in the source file are preserved; no connections have been added.
The Camino Bonsai Café team · Last editorial update:
From Roncesvalles to Zubiri is 21.4 km along the French Way (Camino Francés). It's stage 2, with 310 m of ascent and 732 m of descent, completed in about 5 h 15 min. Difficulty: Moderate.
Coming down from the Pyrenees through Navarrese woods
The terrain here is "gentle-profile mountains of the Navarrese Pyrenees, between alpine meadows and damp beech, oak, and pine forests." The route combines trails, dirt tracks, and some rocky stretches, passing through Burguete, Espinal, the Mezkiritz (or Erro) pass, Bizkarreta, and Lintzoain.
It's a "mostly downhill" stage, though with a couple of climbs worth noting, with no dangerous passes. After the previous day's effort on the Napoleon Route, this stage offers relative relief, with 732 m of descent against just 310 m of climbing.
The arrival in Zubiri, whose name means "village of the bridge" in Basque, comes via the historic Puente de la Rabia, a medieval bridge over the river Arga that tradition credits with curing rabid animals if walked three times around its central pillar, thanks to the relics of Santa Quiteria, patron saint against rabies.
What the terrain looks like, step by step
Terrain
Mostly downhill, with a couple of climbs worth noting (the most significant being the Mezkiritz or Erro pass), with no dangerous passes.
Scenery
Gentle-profile mountains of the Navarrese Pyrenees, between alpine meadows and damp beech, oak, and pine forests.
Trail type
A mix of trails, dirt tracks, and some rocky stretches on the descent into Zubiri.
Villages
Burguete, Espinal, the Mezkiritz pass, Bizkarreta, and Lintzoain before reaching Zubiri.
Water points
Reasonably good, with fountains in Burguete, Espinal, and several of the small villages along the way.
Shade
Plentiful thanks to the damp beech, oak, and pine forests that dominate much of the route.
Traffic
Generally light, alternating forest tracks with the occasional low-traffic local road.
Key tip
The final descent into Zubiri has some rocky stretches: watch your footing if the ground is wet.
Staying by the Puente de la Rabia
Zubiri has several municipal and private albergue options, plus guesthouses and rural inns.
Zubiri albergues
Several municipal and private albergues in the village, in a shared dorm. Albergue Zaldiko sits right by the Puente de la Rabia.
Guesthouses and rural inns
Double rooms for those who'd prefer more privacy at the end of this second stage.
Simple options in the village of the bridge
Zubiri, a small stopover, offers enough bars and restaurants to refuel.
Bars and restaurants by the Arga
Several places offering a pilgrim menu near the Puente de la Rabia and the village centre.
Stops with history on this stage
Puente de la Rabia
A medieval bridge over the river Arga, begun in the 11th century. Tradition holds that rabid animals were cured by walking three times around its central pillar, thanks to the relics of Santa Quiteria.
Burguete/Auritz
A typical Navarrese village of coat-of-arms houses, one of the first charming stops after leaving Roncesvalles.
The old Santa Magdalena hospital
Next to the Puente de la Rabia once stood this medieval hospital that regularly cared for pilgrims on the Camino.
Walk three times around the Puente de la Rabia's central pillar if you fancy following the local tradition, even if just out of curiosity.
How to arrive and how to get back
If you're starting here: Roncesvalles has a daily bus to Pamplona, with good onward connections.
If you need to get back from Zubiri: there's a bus to Pamplona, about 20 km away, with good connections across Spain.
Good to know before this stage
Watch your knees
The steep descent (−732 m) can strain your knees after the previous day's effort: use poles if you carry them.
Enjoy the forest
One of the shadiest stages of the whole Camino Francés — a good one to take at an easy pace.
Make the most of the fountains
Burguete and Espinal have good water points to refill your bottles.
A manageable stage after the big effort
Compared to the previous stage, this one is a relative recovery day.
Don't ruin this stage
Pushing the pace after the Pyrenees
Your body is already carrying yesterday's effort: keep a moderate pace on the descent.
Ignoring your footwear on rocky stretches
The final descent into Zubiri has loose stones: watch your step, especially if the ground is wet.
Underestimating the descent
It may look "easier" because it's downhill, but 732 m of descent still wears on legs and knees.
Walking past the Puente de la Rabia
It's one of the most historic and legend-rich medieval bridges on the whole Camino Francés: it deserves a stop.
What to pack, travel insurance and getting around
One single guide with the recommended gear, useful services (insurance, eSIM) and transport options for the whole Camino.
Work out how much it will cost you
Set the days, route and type of trip, and we give you an estimate of the total cost with a full breakdown.
Everything you want to know before this stage
How many kilometres is it from Roncesvalles to Zubiri?
Is this stage hard?
What is the Puente de la Rabia?
What does Zubiri mean?
Where can I sleep in Zubiri?
Which villages does this stage pass through?
Browse the stages
Ideas for after you finish the Camino
A café waiting for you in Santiago
You still have many kilometres ahead, but once you finish the Camino in Santiago, Bonsai Café is a great spot for breakfast: right in the city centre, with Berraco by Bou specialty coffee and weekend brunch.
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