Puente la Reina to Estella-Lizarra
Stage 2 · Camino Francés
Puente la Reina → Estella-Lizarra
About this stage
Puente la Reina to Estella-Lizarra · 22 km · up 510 m, down 470 m
A pleasant stage through the Navarra wine country, passing through several beautiful medieval villages. The terrain is rolling with moderate climbs and descents through a landscape of vineyards, olive groves, and cereal fields.
The route passes through Cirauqui (with its Roman road section), Lorca, and Villatuerta, each offering cafes and historic interest. The Bodegas Irache wine fountain near Estella offers free wine to pilgrims, a famous Camino tradition. The walking is varied and enjoyable with good path surfaces.
Estella-Lizarra is an elegant Navarrese town with significant medieval heritage, including the Palacio de los Reyes de Navarra and several Romanesque churches. The town has comprehensive services and a lively atmosphere. It was historically known as 'Estella la Bella' (Estella the Beautiful).
Terrain: Rolling agricultural paths, village cobblestones, riverside sections, some paved roads
The day, stop by stop
- 0km
Puente la Reina
villagePuente la Reina is a major Camino town where routes converge, with a famous medieval bridge, strong pilgrim history, plenty of services, and a lively old centre.
View town guideRestaurantCafeGroceryWaterPharmacyATMBus
- 2.6kmAlternative route splits here
Detour to the ruins of the old pilgrim hospital
This short detour is roughly the same distance as the main route but passes by the ruins of the old pilgrim hospital and offers a glimpse into the Camino’s medieval past. Once a place of shelter and care for pilgrims, it is now sit beside the alternative route between Puente la Reina and Mañeru, making it a worthwhile short detour for anyone interested in the history beneath the modern Camino.
- 4.7 km
- 1 segment
- Rejoins at Mañeru
- 4.9km
Mañeru
villageMañeru is a small Camino village after Puente la Reina, with food options, pilgrim accommodation, the Church of San Pedro, and open views toward vineyards and fields.
View town guideCafePharmacyClinic
- 7.7km
Cirauqui
villageCirauqui is a striking hilltop Camino village with steep medieval streets, pilgrim services, the Church of San Román, and a preserved stretch of Roman road. This is often called the prettiest town on the Camino.
View town guideRestaurantCafeWaterPharmacyClinic
- 8.2km
Puente y calzada romana
Worth stopping forAn Ancient Roman bridge on the outskirts of Cirauqui, dating to the 1st century AD, where the original paved Via Trajana crosses a small valley below the medieval hilltop town that later replaced Roman-era settlement patterns.
- 13.5km
Lorca
villageLorca is a small Camino village between Cirauqui and Villatuerta, with albergues, food options, the Church of San Salvador, and open countryside views.
View town guideRestaurantCafeWater
- 17.7km
Relieves de San Miguel
Worth stopping for10th-century stone reliefs: These replicas reproduce carvings from the nearby Ermita de San Miguel, one of Navarra's oldest Christian sites. The originals date to the 10th century and are now preserved in the Museum of Navarra
- 18.1km
Villatuerta
villageVillatuerta is a small Camino village before Estella, with food options, accommodation, the Church of La Asunción, and the nearby San Miguel hermitage.
View town guideRestaurantCafePharmacyATM
- Good accommodation options
Estella has the widest range of accommodation on this stage, from a historic municipal albergue to comfortable hotels. Cirauqui is a lovely alternative.
- 22.1km
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
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 Puente la Reina. Choosing is never booking.