French Way (Camino Francés) ‧ Stage 8
French Way
On foot
33 stages
Information
About this stage
Although this is a long stage, it is not too difficult. We will walk on moderate slopes, surrounded by vineyards and colourful trees full of fruit. We will pass through a multitude of villages before reaching the municipality of Nájera, a name inherited from the Arabs, Náxara, which means “place between rocks” or “place at midday”.
It was here, in the 11th century, that Sancho III granted the well-known charter of Nájera, making this town one of the first charters in Spain. This contributed significantly to the development of the town, making it a key point on the Pilgrim’s Camino to Santiago de Compostela.
Recommendation Pilgrim
This is the largest stage in the French Way but it is easy. It is different from the other ones that are full of ups and downs.
There are just two dangerous points, the ones that cross the N-120 because there is no pedestrian crossing and we have to be patient and also be careful.
People with reduced mobility won’t have any problem during this stage, we recommend them follow the N-120, being very careful, after Alto de San Antón.
Distance and elevation
Stage profile
Route
Itinerary
Km 0 ‧ Logroño
Along Rua Vieja street we continue in the same direction along San Pablo and Barriocepo streets, leaving the church of Santiago el Real on our right. We then follow the long avenue Marqués de Murrieta; and after passing the parish church of San Miguel Arcángel, we turn left into calle Duques de Nájera.
At the end of this street we take a pedestrian lane in the San Miguel park, crossing a little later through a bridge over the railway line. We go under the A-12 motorway via a subway and continue along a pleasant path for pedestrians and cyclists.
After a couple of kilometres we reach the Grajera reservoir, which we border round to the right to begin the ascent to the Alto de la Grajera, along dirt tracks and tarmac between crops.
At the top we continue parallel to the A-12 motorway. After about five kilometres we cross the AP-68 motorway over a bridge and walk by the ruins of the old pilgrims’ hospital of San Juan de Acre (12th century). We enter Navarrete along the Calle Mayor Baja.
Local Information
Police, Medical Care, What to See, Where to Eat…
Km 12,4 ‧ Navarrete
Walking in front of the church, we take Belén street and continue along Arrabal street. On leaving Navarrete, on the N-120 national road, we walk in front of the cemetery and, shortly afterwards, we leave the road along a dirt track on the left-hand side.
We reach the LR-342 road; cross it and continue parallel to the A-12 dual carriageway. About two kilometres later we reach a fork in the road: to the left, the official road that goes up to Ventosa, and, going straight on, a shortcut that saves us 600 metres.
Km 19 ‧ Ventosa
At the entrance to Ventosa we turn right to continue along a dirt track between vines. A stony path takes us to the Alto de San Antón (637 m). After a couple of kilometres we go under the N-120a road via a subway and continue along a dirt track until we reach the River Yalde, which we cross over a small wooden bridge. A little further on, we walk under the viaduct of a link road and turn left, passing through fields and factories. Shortly afterwards, we cross the N-120a road at level to enter Nájera through Avenida de Logroño. We continue straight on along Calle San Fernando, cross the bridge of San Juan de Ortega over the River Najerilla, and turn left into Calle Mayor, now in the Old Quarter.
