Camino de Santiago Stages: Which Are the Most Challenging?

Camino de Santiago Stages: Which Are the Most Challenging?

Uneven terrain, climbs, descents, type of surface, high temperatures, lack of training… Many factors can turn Camino de Santiago stages into a nightmare. For this reason, it’s not easy to determine which Camino de Santiago stages are the hardest, as every pilgrim will have their own “tough” stage.

However, on every pilgrimage route, there are certain stages widely recognized as demanding, based on pilgrims’ experiences. Below, you’ll find an overview of these challenging Camino de Santiago stages.

Camino Francés

The Camino Francés is one of the longest pilgrimage routes. Over its 870 kilometers, typically divided into 30 stages, you’ll walk through a remarkable variety of landscapes, terrains, and climates. The terrain is so diverse that it’s impossible to highlight just one stage.

Saint Jean Pied de Port–Roncesvalles: This Camino de Santiago stage through the Pyrenees is one of the most beautiful—and one of the most challenging. Pilgrims starting in Saint Jean Pied de Port face a 24-kilometer trek that, at first glance, seems more than manageable.

However, the difficulty becomes apparent when confronting the mountain passes: Bentartea, at 1,337 meters, and the Lepoeder pass, at 1,430 meters above sea level. The hardest part lies right near the beginning: of the nearly 1,400 meters of elevation gain, 600 must be conquered within the first 8 kilometers.

Fortunately, this one of the Camino de Santiago stages can be split into two days, with an overnight stay at Refuge Orisson. From there, a shuttle can take you back to Saint Jean Pied de Port, returning you to the same spot the next morning. If you have the time, we strongly recommend dividing this stage to make the journey more manageable.

Even the descent into Roncesvalles is no easy task: a 500-meter drop through a beech forest that is as spectacular as it is tricky, especially when wet.

Foncebadón–Ponferrada: Pilgrims crossing León province during the Camino Francés often dread the climb from Astorga to Cruz de Ferro and Foncebadón, with its 600 meters of elevation gain. Yet the descent is even more challenging. This section features rocky paths and uneven trails that can be particularly tough on sensitive knees. For many, this Camino de Santiago stage proves to be one of the most demanding.

Camino Primitivo

The Camino Primitivo is among the most challenging pilgrimage routes. Its mountainous terrain, uneven paths, and unpredictable climate make these Camino de Santiago stages far from easy. However, the breathtaking beauty of the route and the kindness of the local people more than make up for these difficulties.

Despite the overall difficulty of this pilgrimage, one stage stands out as the ultimate challenge:

Pola de Allande – La Mesa.

The ascent to the Palo del Pass is a stage both feared and revered by pilgrims on the Camino Primitivo.

It is undoubtedly one of the most stunning Camino de Santiago stages. Yet, the climb to the pass is grueling, with a relentless uphill trek until you reach the summit at over 1,100 meters, overcoming approximately 600 meters of elevation gain. And after the climb, the descent begins: from the peaks of the Asturian mountains down to the village of Berducedo.

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Camino del Norte

Stretching over 800 kilometers, the Camino del Norte traverses northern Spain along the Cantabrian coast. While the route combines tranquil stages with some more demanding ones, the most challenging Camino de Santiago stages are undoubtedly found in the Basque Country.

One stage, in particular, stands out as the hardest of the Camino del Norte:

Deba – Markina/Xemein: This is one of the first stages on the Camino del Norte and, like the early stages of the Camino Francés, it adds an extra layer of difficulty to the route. Its undeniable beauty, with the Basque mountains taking center stage, is matched by its physical demands. Along the way, there are few places to rest and recharge, which doesn’t make the trek any easier.

The highlight is the climb to Mount Arno, over 500 meters high, which starts from its base. From there, a series of ascents and descents challenge pilgrims not only with their elevation but also with the rugged terrain. This section of the route is littered with stones and rocks, adding to the difficulty of this Camino de Santiago stage.

Camino Inglés

Although the Camino Inglés is a relatively short pilgrimage route, part of its path traverses rural terrain with significant elevation changes. On the route starting in Ferrol, the most challenging stage is the third:

Betanzos – Hospital de Bruma. This Camino de Santiago stage spans nearly 25 kilometers, making it one of the most demanding for pilgrims on the Camino Inglés. The route offers landscapes of great beauty, marred only by the tough climb to Bruma.

In addition to the distance and the climb, there’s another challenge: you’ll encounter very few opportunities to rest or refuel along the way.

Camino to Finisterre and Muxía

The most challenging stage on the pilgrimage route from Santiago to Finisterre and Muxía is:

Negreira-Olveiroa:

At nearly 34 kilometers, this is the toughest stage of the entire Camino to Fisterra and Muxía, primarily due to its length. The greatest difficulty of this second stage toward the “end of the world” lies within the first 11 kilometers, which feature significant elevation changes.

The descent toward the sea, after passing through the town of Mazaricos, also requires special care. Fortunately, this stage can be split into two days for a more manageable journey.

Do you agree that these are the most challenging stages? Share your experiences in the comments section of this article!