Estella-Lizarra to Los Arcos
Stage 3 · Camino Francés
Estella-Lizarra → Los Arcos
About this stage
Estella-Lizarra to Los Arcos · 21 km · up 500 m, down 480 m
A transitional stage leaving the green Navarra valleys and entering the drier, more open landscapes that characterise the route through to La Rioja. The terrain is gently rolling through cereal fields and vineyards with long exposed sections that offer little shade.
The route passes through several small villages, including the monastery at Irache and the village of Villamayor de Monjardin, overlooked by a hilltop castle. Services are spread out, so carrying water is important on hot days. The landscape becomes increasingly arid as you head west.
Los Arcos is a small town with a disproportionately grand church (Santa Maria de los Arcos) and a pleasant main plaza. Services are adequate with accommodation, restaurants, and a small supermarket. The town makes a comfortable overnight stop.
Terrain: Rolling agricultural paths, exposed cereal fields, some paved roads, village cobblestones
The day, stop by stop
- 0km
Estella-Lizarra
townEstella: "The Star City" of Pilgrims A historic Navarrese town on the Rio Ega with Romanesque churches, the Palace of the Kings of Navarra, and a lively town centre. Known in Basque as Lizarra.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterPharmacyATMBusClinicPost Office
- Stock up before leaving
Carry extra water as exposed sections between villages can be hot and shadeless - especially during the summer months
- 1.5km
Ayegui
villageAyegui is a practical Camino town just after Estella, with food options, accommodation, local services, vineyard scenery, and views toward Montejurra.
View town guideCafe
- 2.5km
Fuente del Vino
Worth stopping forA free wine fountain run by Bodegas Irache beside the Monastery of Irache, offering pilgrims a tap of red wine and a tap of water in a nod to the medieval tradition of monastic hospitality along the Camino.
- 3.6km
Irache
villageIrache is a historic Camino stop near Ayegui, known for the Monastery of Irache, Bodegas Irache, the famous Wine Fountain, and vineyard scenery.
View town guideWater
- 7.3km
Azqueta
villageAzqueta is a small Camino village between Irache and Villamayor de Monjardín, with rural scenery, limited services, and views toward Montejurra.
View town guideCafeWater - 8.6km
Fuente de los Moros
Worth stopping forA stone fountain outside Villamayor de Monjardín where pilgrims have refilled water for centuries; despite its name, historians believe the Fuente de los Moros likely has Roman rather than Moorish origins.
- 9km
Villamayor de Monjardín
villageVillamayor de Monjardín is a hilltop Camino village with albergues, food options, a historic church, castle ruins, and a long service-free stretch ahead.
View town guideRestaurantCafeWater
- No services, no accommodation
The stretch between Villamayor and Los Arcos has no accommodation for the whole 12km stretch. Plan accordingly, especially in summer heat.
- 21.1km
Los Arcos
villageLos Arcos is a major Camino stop in Navarra with albergues, hotels, restaurants, shops, pharmacies, and the impressive Church of Santa María.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterPharmacyATM
Places to stay along this stage
Koala Picks first, then each town in walking order. Where a place does not book online, walk in, call or message them.
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Planning the Camino Francés?
Add this stage to your day by day plan and see how it fits with the stages around it. Day 0 is the night you arrive in Estella-Lizarra. Choosing is never booking.