Stage 7: Los Arcos → Logroño

A New Day on the Camino – Beginning & Atmosphere

Once again the bells of Los Arcos resound as you pass through the Portal de Castilla in the early morning and leave the small town behind. The paths open, the land stretches wide before you, and you know: today will be a long day. Almost 28 kilometers lie ahead – the first truly extended stage of the French Way. Yet the effort will be richly rewarded: with medieval villages, wide views, and finally the arrival in Logroño, the capital of La Rioja, where wine and tapas await the pilgrims.

Route & Elevation Profile

• Distance: 28 km
• Elevation: +500 m / –560 m
• Difficulty: easy–medium

This stage is not characterized by extreme climbs but by its length and the constant up and down over varied terrain. Especially between Torres del Río and Viana the ascents and descents demand patience.

Description of the Way – with All the Senses

The Camino leads you out of Los Arcos, past the chapel of San Lázaro, over fields and gentle hills. The path rises slightly, follows the road, then turns back onto tracks. Soon you reach Sansol, a quiet village that stands like a sentinel above the plain.

Just a few steps further lies Torres del Río. A small but famous village, whose church of the Santo Sepulcro is unique on the Camino: an octagonal building from the 12th century, inspired by the Templars, mysterious, almost oriental in appearance. It is said that the towers once attached to it served pilgrims as beacons guiding their way. A place that radiates a quiet, almost mystical aura.

Beyond Torres del Río begins the most demanding section: constant climbs and descents, paths of gravel, paving, earth. The Camino follows the old country road, crossing it again and again, offering moments of rest along the way – a chapel, a spring, a shady spot. Especially the Ermita de la Virgen del Poyo marks one of these pauses, simple yet steeped in history.

With every kilometer you feel yourself leaving Navarra. Finally the path opens to Viana, the last major town of Navarra. A place full of history: here lies Cesare Borgia, notorious military leader and churchman of the Renaissance. The Gothic church of Santa María rises impressively over the square, the ruins of the old monastery of San Pedro speak of transience. Viana invites you to pause: cafés, bars, squares – and the feeling of standing at a historic threshold.

From Viana it is still almost ten kilometers. The path leads through fields, past the Ermita de la Virgen de Cuevas, through small woods and open landscapes. Then you reach the border: the Ebro marks the transition into La Rioja. Across the old stone bridge, built in the 11th century and renewed several times, you step into the wine region, like no other connected with the Camino.

Arrival in Logroño – the Capital of La Rioja

Crossing the Ebro, you leave Navarra and enter a new world: La Rioja. The stone bridge, whose origins date back to the 11th century, leads you directly into the heart of Logroño. Logroño greets you with vitality, with parks, squares, churches, and above all with the famous Calle Laurel, where tapas and Rioja wines turn the evening into a feast. Already upon entering you feel the liveliness of this city, which with nearly 150,000 inhabitants belongs to the great urban stages of the Camino.

The old town is rich in churches and monuments that tell of the deep heritage of the Way of St. James: the Co-Cathedral of Santa María de la Redonda with its twin towers, the church of San Bartolomé with one of the most beautiful Gothic portals of the North, and the Iglesia de Santiago el Real, dedicated to the Apostle himself. For those who understand the Camino not only as a path but as a spiritual continuum, here are places shaped by centuries of pilgrims.

Yet Logroño is more than its churches. It is also the capital of Rioja wines – and you taste it in every street. Especially the legendary Calle Laurel and the neighboring Calle San Juan are a feast for pilgrims: here tapas bars line up one after another, each with its own specialties – from patatas a la riojana to lamb chops to fish dishes, accompanied by the region’s famous red wines. For many pilgrims the evening in Calle Laurel is one of the culinary highlights of the entire Camino.

Beyond that, Logroño is a city that gives pilgrims the opportunity to rest and regain strength. Whether a walk through the parks along the Ebro, a visit to one of the museums, or simply the chance to replenish equipment and wash clothes – the city combines the rhythm of a modern capital with the soul of an ancient place of pilgrimage.

Intermediate Stops & Highlights

Food, Lodging & Supplies

• Sansol / Torres del Río: small hostels, bars, basic supplies.
• Viana: several albergues, bars, restaurants, supermarkets – last major service point before Logroño.
• Logroño: wide choice of accommodation, from simple albergues to modern hostels and hotels. Perfect opportunity to replenish equipment and immerse yourself in cuisine.

Today’s Special Feature

This stage marks a threshold: you leave Navarra, the land of mountains and fields, and step into La Rioja, the land of wine. Along the way you encounter the mysterious Templar architecture of Torres del Río, the history of Viana, and the power of the Ebro as a border river. It is a day that demands length and endurance – and rewards you with an unforgettable destination.

Reflection at the End of the Stage

Today you have walked almost 28 kilometers – your first long stage. You have passed through small villages, crossed hills and fields, experienced history and architecture, encountered a border. And now you stand in Logroño, where the Camino greets you with wine, tapas, and vitality. A day that leaves you tired, but rich in impressions.

📊 Tabular Overview

🌌 Camino of the Stars – Stage 7

Los Arcos → Sansol → Torres del Río → Ermita Virgen del Poyo → Viana → Ebro → Logroño

Call to Action

Did you visit the octagonal church in Torres del Río? Or did you stop at Cesare Borgia’s grave in Viana? Share your moments – they make the Camino come alive.

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