The Running of the Bulls route, section by section

The Running of the Bulls route runs for roughly 850 metres — just over half a mile — through the streets of Pamplona's Old Town, from the corrals at the foot of Santo Domingo to the bullring. The herd usually covers it in two to three minutes. Every section has its own character, and knowing them helps whether you are watching or running.

1. Cuesta de Santo Domingo

The run starts at the corrals at the bottom of Santo Domingo, a steep, narrow uphill street. Before 8:00 am, runners gather here to sing to the small statue of San Fermín set in the wall. When the gate opens, the bulls are fresh and climb the slope at full speed, often bunched together. It is short, fast and only suited to very experienced runners.

2. Plaza Consistorial (Town Hall square)

At the top of the slope the course opens out in front of City Hall. This is where many runners enter the course in the morning, and where the herd tends to stretch out a little as the street widens. It is also one of the most photographed stretches, with the historic façade in the background.

3. Calle Mercaderes

A short, straight street leading out of the square. The bulls are still running fast here, and the herd drifts towards the outside of the bend that comes next — so runners have to choose their side carefully.

4. The Estafeta corner (La Curva)

The most famous spot of the run. At the end of Mercaderes the course turns sharply right into Calle Estafeta. The bulls arrive too fast, lose their footing and slide into the wooden barrier on the outside of the bend. Spectacular to watch, and one of the places where a bull can get separated from the herd.

5. Calle Estafeta

The longest straight of the course, and its emotional heart. Estafeta is narrow, lined with balconies and slopes gently upwards. Here the herd often recovers its rhythm and the most skilled runners try to run “on the horns” — just in front of the bulls — for a few metres. Doorways are shut and there is nowhere to escape, so the crowd of runners matters as much as the bulls.

6. Telefónica and the Bajada de Javier

At the end of Estafeta the course opens out and heads downhill towards the bullring, past the building that gives the stretch its name. The street is wider and the bulls speed up again. Runners who are tiring tend to stumble here, so falls and pile-ups are common.

7. The callejón and the bullring

The final stretch is the callejón, a narrow passage that funnels everyone into the bullring. It is the most dangerous point of the whole run if runners fall and block the entrance — the famous pile-ups (“montones”) happen here. Once the bulls reach the ring, the steers lead them across the sand into the pens, and the fourth rocket marks the end.

Related guides

Decide where to watch the bull run, or, if you are thinking of running, read the rules for runners and the real risks first.