French Way (Camino Francés) ‧ Stage 5
French Way
On foot
33 stages
Information
About this stage
At this stage the cereal fields will slowly be replaced by colourful olive trees and vineyards, foreshadowing the entrance to the Rioja region. Through an ancient Roman road, rivers and bridges that hide sinister legends and medieval villages, Estella will welcome us among fields of poppies and wheat fields.
Recommendation Pilgrim
This is not a hard stage but if you want to avoid Cirauqui hill you have to know that you can go through an alternative route that is indicated. Cyclists have to know that there is no complicated parts but if the weather is not good they should walk through some parts of this stage in rainy days, when it is very common to find mud. At Cirauqi if you do not want to go through the old town you can surround the city next to its left side and then return to the original route. You have to take into account that some part of this stage go through national roads and it is necessary be careful to avoid accidents.
People with reduced mobility should also be careful when it come to go through this road parts because they should pay attention to vehicles.
Distance and elevation
Stage profile
Route
Itinerary
Km 0 ‧ Puente la Reina
At the end of the Calle Mayor we reach the bridge that gives its name to this town; this is the last time we cross the river Arga. We turn left and cross the NA-1110 road to take a street that continues on to a dirt track. We continue along the bottom of a wide valley. Along a dirt track we face a steep climb that will take us to the A-12 motorway. We then reach Mañeru on a slight descent.
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Km 4,8 ‧ Mañeru
We set off along Forzosa street; soon we can see the silhouette of Cirauqui on the horizon. We arrive along tracks between vineyards.
Km 7,5 ‧ Cirauqui
We leave Cirauqui following the remains of an ancient Roman road, cross the Roman bridge and, shortly afterwards, cross the A-12 motorway over a bridge. We continue on a gentle slope and after a few kilometres we cross the A-12 motorway via a subway. After 300 metres we cross it again by another subway and then walk over a medieval bridge at the River Salado. After 250 metres we walk through the A-12 motorway again via a subway, starting the ascent to Lorca on a dirt track.
Km 13,2 ‧ Lorca
We we walk straight over Lorca and continue along comfortable tracks, with the national road and the dual carriageway on our right. Shortly before reaching Villatuerta we cross the A-12 motorway again via a subway.
Km 17,8 ‧ Villatuerta
In Villatuerta we pass through the Romanesque bridge over the river Iranzu and pass next to the church of La Asunción. On leaving the town, follow a dirt track straight ahead until you come to the San Miguel hermitage, which is 150 metres away on the left-hand side. Shortly afterwards, we cross the N-132 road via a subway and, over a footbridge, the River Ega. And so we reach Estella, next to the river, between factories and orchards.
Km 21,6 ‧ Estella
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