Walk to the Monastery of San Millan de Yuso Detour on the Amazing Camino Real

This is a basic map and overview of the Camino Real, a Camino Frances detour that starts from the village of Najera and continues to San Millan de la Cogolla. The tiny village of San Millan de la Cogolla is home to the stunning Monastery of San Millan de Yuso. Up in the hillside, find the older and special Suso Monastery.

Both of these fascinating monasteries are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and can be added to the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain.

The Monasteries of Yuso and Suso can be reached by bus or by walking the Camino Real. Be mindful there are a few routes.

This Camino Real map route starts from Najera and twists through the vineyards of the "La Rijoa" wine region to Badaran village. In Badaran, follow the marked off-road path. Again, there is a split and two routes, but both trails lead to San Millan de la Cogolla Spain.

Here's a brief overview of the Camino Real route from Najera to the Monastery of San Millan de Yuso.

☛ Psst... this Camino Frances detour is totally worth it!

⁉️ If downloading the map, please verify that the map is correct and follows the waypoints. Oftentimes, there are daily updates to the site, map platforms, and other external issues that may cause a bug in downloading. Be mindful that this map is solely for entertainment purposes. See my full disclosure here. Always hike responsibly and respect the mountains by following a no-trace philosophy, avoid hiking alone, be conscious of the weather and personal limitations, and do not stray from the visible trail

Najera to Monastery of San Millan de Yuso

• Out & Back Trail or Loop Trail

  • The map is from Najera to San Millan de la Cogolla

• Official Trail Name: The Camino Real

  • Trail Markers are far and few between but an offline map should suffice
  • Look for yellow and white signboards and yellow arrows

• Difficulty: Moderate, due to the limited way markers
• One-Way Distance: 11.25 miles ( 18 km)
• Excursion Duration: The Camino Real from Najera to the Monastery of San Millan Yuso takes around 4 hours
• Most visitors walking from Najera to San Millan de la Cogolla are pilgrims walking the Camino de Santiago - Camino Frances Route

  • Camino Packing List for Females
  • If doing the hike as a day trip and returning to Najera, opt for carrying a small day pack, rather than carrying all your gear

    • Small Day Hiking Backpack
    • First-Aid Kit
    • Water in a Reusable Water Bottle
    • Trekking Poles
    • Hiking Boots or trail runners, whatever shoes you decided for your Camino
    • Pilgrim Credencial
    • Euros for cafes, restaurants, and admission to Monastery of San Millan de Yuso & Suso

Sleeping in Najera

It's best to sleep in Najera the night before walking the Camino Real. The trek to San Millan de la Cogolla is 4 hours and there are limited hours for visiting the Monastery of San Millan de Yuso.

There is a Municipal Albergue in Najera that works as a first come, first serve basis. The price is €6 for a bed. (48 beds)

Alternatively, Najera is a popular pilgrim village. Find tons of hostels, hotels, pensions, private albergues, and places to stay in Najera Spain.

Camino Real | Najera to Badaran

The Camino Real starts from the Plaza Mercado Najera, and scrambles alongside the dramatic red cliffs. There is a signboard that marks the official route. There is also a cautionary sign to be mindful of rockslides and muddy trails.

The Camino Real from Najera to San Millan de la Cogolla should not be attempted in poor weather conditions.

Once past the beautiful red cliffs, there are two main routes. The left fork twists through the vineyards, while the trail to the right heads towards Cordovin village. This Camino Real trail map continues through the vineyards on a dirt path to Bedaran.

My small walking group preferred the views and tranquility of the trails through the heart of the vineyards, rather than the one that leads to Cordovin village. However, either trail is fine!

As you can see, we also followed the unofficial route that moves closer to Cardenas village, but they will all merge to Badaran. Make sure to check-in with an offline map.

 🥾 Najera to Badaran | Vineyard Path | Distance: 6.5 Miles 

Badaran to Monastery of San Millan de Yuso

Badarán is a cute village that has a water fountain to replenish water bottles. At the end of town, look for the wooden sign on the left-side of the road that reads “Camino Real, Vado de la Reina.” 

The trail leads to a bridge over the river.

After the bridge crossing there are two trails that lead to San Millan de la Cogolla village. We asked the locals which one was better, but they told us that they were both the same. We opted to walk the “river trail,” the path closest to the river.

Both paths lead to San Millan de la Cogolla, where the Monasteries of Yuso and Suso await!

🥾 Badaran to San Millan de la Cogolla | Distance: 4.75 Miles 

Visiting Monastery of San Millan de Yuso & Suso

The Monasteries of Yuso & Suso are two separate entities and require different tickets. There are also different entrance times, so it can be confusing. Due to the importance of these monasteries, you can only visit both with a guided tour.

Monastery of San Millan de Yuso | Entrance Fee: €4 with the Pilgrim Credencial discount | Hours: Hours vary by season, but Summer hours are Easter Weekend – End of September: Tues – Sunday: 10:00 – 13:30 / 16:00 – 18:30 (Closed Sunday afternoons & Mondays) |Yuso Monastery Official Website

Suso Monastery | Entrance Fee: €3.25 with the Pilgrim Credencial discount | Hours: Hours vary by season, but Summer hours are Easter Weekend – End of September: Tues – Sunday: 9:55 – 13:25 / 15:55 – 17:55 (Closed Mondays)

Tours are currently only in Spanish, but there are some English plaque boards.

What Next?

After visiting the Monastery of San Millan de Yuso there are few different options.

1. Return to Najera by: walking the same Camino Real or by local bus back to Najera
2. Sleep in San Millan de la Cogolla and enjoy the tranquility of the village

   • Sleep in the actual monastery at Hostería del Monasterio de San Millan
   • Casa Rural La Calera
   • Fábrica de Harinas La Gloria
   • La Posada de San Millán

3. Continue to rejoin the Camino Frances for a full day

We opted to rejoin the Camino Frances route at Cirueña village, which was a really long, but a memorable day. However, keep in mind a majority of the route will be on the road. The roads are not so busy, but stay on the left side of the road for safety.

🥾 San Millan de la Cogolla to Cirueña | Distance: 8.25 Miles | Duration: +/- 3 hours | Here's my Wikiloc route

Camino Real Najera to Monastery of San Millan de Yuso

This is a map and basic overview of the Camino Real from Najera to the Monastery of San Millan de Yuso, a fantastic detour on the Camino Frances way. For the complete hiking guide, detailed directions, more information about the Monastery of San Milan de Yuso and Suso Monastery, read the complementing blog post:

WhyYou Should Add the Monastery of San Millan de Yuso & Suso to Your Camino

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