Stage 6Navarra / La Rioja21 km · up 500 mModerate

Estella-Lizarra to Los Arcos

Distance
21 km
Walking time
4-6 hours
Ascent
500 m
Descent
480 m
High point
684 m
Difficulty
Moderate
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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

Along the route6 towns and 2 highlights on 21 km

The day, stop by stop

  1. 0km

    Estella: "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 guide
    Restaurant
    Cafe
    Grocery
    Water
    Pharmacy
    ATM
    Bus
    Clinic
    Post Office
  2. Stock up before leaving

    Carry extra water as exposed sections between villages can be hot and shadeless - especially during the summer months

  3. 1.5km

    Ayegui

    village

    Ayegui is a practical Camino town just after Estella, with food options, accommodation, local services, vineyard scenery, and views toward Montejurra.

    View town guide
    Cafe
  4. 2.5km

    Fuente del Vino

    Worth stopping for

    A 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.

  5. 3.6km

    Irache

    village

    Irache is a historic Camino stop near Ayegui, known for the Monastery of Irache, Bodegas Irache, the famous Wine Fountain, and vineyard scenery.

    View town guide
    Water
  6. 7.3km

    Azqueta

    village

    Azqueta is a small Camino village between Irache and Villamayor de Monjardín, with rural scenery, limited services, and views toward Montejurra.

    View town guide
    Cafe
    Water
  7. 8.6km

    Fuente de los Moros

    Worth stopping for

    A 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.

  8. 9km

    Villamayor 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 guide
    Restaurant
    Cafe
    Water
  9. 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.

  10. 21.1km

    Los Arcos

    village

    Los Arcos is a major Camino stop in Navarra with albergues, hotels, restaurants, shops, pharmacies, and the impressive Church of Santa María.

    View town guide
    Restaurant
    Cafe
    Grocery
    Water
    Pharmacy
    ATM
Where to stay

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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