Zubiri to Pamplona
A short, gently graded stage with a lovely stretch beside the river Arga through beech and pine, ending in historic Pamplona.
Best season: Year-round
Map
- Zubiri
- Pamplona
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 Zubiri to Pamplona is 20.4 km along the French Way (Camino Francés). It's stage 3, with 231 m of ascent and 314 m of descent, completed in about 4 h 30 min. Difficulty: Easy.
Following the Arga valley down to Navarre's capital
This is "a short, gently graded stage; many pilgrims extend it to Cizur Menor, 5 km from Pamplona's centre." The route opens with a lovely stretch beside the river Arga through beech and pine, passing Ilarratz, Urdániz, Larrasoaña, Akerreta, Zuriaín, Irotz, and Zabaldika.
The final 4.4 km, from Trinidad de Arre into central Pamplona, are entirely urban, passing through Huarte, Villava, and Burlada before entering the city through its outer neighbourhoods.
Arriving in Pamplona, the capital of Navarre and famous for the San Fermín bull runs, is one of the great urban landmarks of the Camino Francés: its old town, led by the Cathedral of Santa María la Real, holds the city's main albergues.
What the terrain looks like, step by step
Terrain
A short, gently graded stage, with a rural first half along the river Arga and an entirely urban final stretch.
Scenery
Wooded trails through beech and pine along the Arga in the first half, giving way to Pamplona's neighbourhoods.
Trail type
Rural dirt trails as far as Trinidad de Arre; the last 4.4 km are city pavements and streets.
Villages
Ilarratz, Urdániz, Larrasoaña, Akerreta, Zuriaín, Irotz, Zabaldika, Huarte, Trinidad de Arre, Villava, and Burlada.
Water points
Good, with fountains in several of the many villages passed and in Pamplona itself.
Shade
Plentiful on the first stretch along the Arga; scarce on the final urban stretch.
Traffic
Light on the rural stretch; typical city traffic in the final urban kilometres.
Key tip
Many pilgrims extend the stage 5 km further to Cizur Menor to avoid the bustle of central Pamplona.
Staying in Pamplona's old town
Pamplona's main albergues cluster around the historic centre.
Albergue Jesús y María
On Calle Compañía, just over 100 m from the Cathedral, in a 16th-century church restored in 2007. With 112 beds, it's municipally run. Closed from December 24th to January 15th and during San Fermín (July 6th–14th).
Push on to Cizur Menor
Many pilgrims extend the stage 5 km further to sleep in this nearby village, with a quieter, less urban feel.
Plenty of choice in Pamplona
As a provincial capital, Pamplona offers a far wider food scene than the previous stages.
Pintxos and Navarrese cuisine
The old town, especially Calle Estafeta and its surroundings, is packed with pintxo bars and Navarrese restaurants.
Stops with history on this stage
Cathedral of Santa María la Real
A neoclassical façade and a sober interior hide one of the most spectacular Gothic cloisters in Spain.
The San Fermín bull-run route
You can walk part of the famous encierro route along Calle Estafeta, Calle Mercaderes, and the Cuesta de Santo Domingo.
The Trinidad bridge and church
A medieval bridge over the Arga that marks the start of the final urban stretch into Pamplona.
If you have time, walk the Cuesta de Santo Domingo — part of the route of the famous San Fermín bull run.
How to arrive and how to get back
If you're starting here: Zubiri has a bus to Pamplona, with good onward connections across Spain.
If you need to get back from Pamplona: the city has its own airport plus a train and bus station with connections across Spain.
Good to know before this stage
Restock in the city
Pamplona is a good place to buy replacement gear or take an extra rest day if you need one.
Avoid San Fermín if you're not looking for it
From July 6th to 14th the city is overwhelmed with crowds and the pilgrim albergue closes: plan accordingly.
Consider pushing on to Cizur Menor
A common choice among pilgrims who prefer to avoid the bustle of the city centre.
A manageable stage
With little elevation change and mostly flat terrain, it's one of the gentler days early in the Camino.
Don't ruin this stage
Ignoring the San Fermín dates
If you're not after the festival, avoid Pamplona between July 6th and 14th: overwhelmed crowds and a closed albergue.
Skipping the Cathedral
Its Gothic cloister is one of the finest in Spain — don't walk past it.
Getting lost in the urban stretch
The final kilometres cross several neighbourhoods: follow the yellow arrows carefully as you enter the city.
Underestimating it just because it's short
It's one of the more manageable stages, but still a long day if extended to Cizur Menor.
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 Zubiri to Pamplona?
Is this stage hard?
Where is the pilgrim albergue in Pamplona?
Can the stage be extended?
What can you see in Pamplona?
When does the Pamplona albergue close?
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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