Pamplona Bull Run 2025
San Fermin Travel Central invites you to join us for Pamplona Bull Run 2025 -- your chance to experience the pandemonium and eye-popping spectacle of the “Running of the Bulls.” These daily bull runs, called encierros in Spanish, are the high point of the San Fermin Festival: a tradition that has brought world-wide fame. For more exciting activities in Pamplona, check out the San Fermin Festival 2025 event schedule.
What is the bull run (encierro)?
The Pamplona bull run is the most widely-known tradition of the nine-day San Fermin Festival. For eight consecutive days during the fiesta, daredevils from all of the world test their luck running alongside or in front of six bulls through Pamplona’s Old Town. Portions of the city are cordoned off, marking a clear path from the holding corrals to the Plaza de Toros. The bulls featured in the encierros are some of the largest and most powerful in all of Spain and are accompanied by six oxen that have bells fastened around their necks. Runners only complete a small section of the course, and the entire event is usually over in less than four minutes.
What are the Pamplona Bull Run dates?
The Running of the Bulls takes place daily from July 7th-14th at 8 a.m.
How many people run with the bulls?
Between 2,000 and 4,000 people run with the bulls in Pamplona on any given day of the festival. The first run, on July 7th, is always the most crowded. Runners and festival-goers wear white clothes, a red waist sash, and a red handkerchief tied around their neck in honor of Saint Fermin.
Who can run with the bulls?
Anyone who is 18 years or older can participate in the event, as long as they are not intoxicated, do not incite the bulls, and follow other rules and regulations. Those who are interested in taking part in the race have to be at their designated spot before 7:30 a.m. At exactly 8:00 a.m., the bulls are released onto the street, and the frenzied dash starts.
Are the Pamplona bull runs dangerous?
Yes, 16 people have died in the bull runs since 1924, when officials began keeping records. Red Cross personnel are on-hand to attend to runners who fall, get trampled or gored. Every year, hundreds of people are harmed, some requiring immediate transfer to local hospitals.
What is the history of the encierro?
The encierro originated from the need to transport bulls from the outside of the city to the bullring, where they would later be dispatched. Over the years, this practice evolved into more of a competition and show of bravado. In Pamplona, the six animals that run in the encierro are featured in the evening bullfights.
Where is the bull run course?
The Pamplona bull run map shows just how perilous the course is. The entire route is just 875 meters long, wending along the cobblestone streets of the city’s Casco Viejo. There are sharp turns to navigate, narrow bends, hazardous slopes, and a chokepoint at the end where the beasts and runners must jostle to enter the bullfighting stadium.
The encierro starts at Calle de Santo Domingo, which has a noticeable incline and is one of the most treacherous sections. The next segment passes through Town Hall Square, and on to Calle Mercaderes. From this point, it is not unusual for a bull to break away from the group, increasing the danger of someone being hurt.
The route then takes a hard bend onto Calle Estafeta. Runners have to be extra cautious on “Dead Man’s Corner” to avoid being crushed.
Calle Estafeta is straight, slightly uphill, and over 300 meters long. Crossing in front of the telephone exchange begins the downhill slope leading to the passageway into the Plaza de Toros.
This is a highly dangerous stretch, protected by two rows of fencing, and inside the passage way there are alcoves where people can take refuge if they fall.
When all the bulls are in the arena, a third rocket is fired and, once they are through the door of the pens, a fourth announces that the bull run is officially over.
Pamplona festival packages for 2025
The San Fermin Fiesta is just around the corner, and Pamplona hotels are booking up fast! Take advantage of our all-inclusive Pamplona tour packages, that include everything you need for a stress-free vacation:
What is the bull run (encierro)?
The Pamplona bull run is the most widely-known tradition of the nine-day San Fermin Festival. For eight consecutive days during the fiesta, daredevils from all of the world test their luck running alongside or in front of six bulls through Pamplona’s Old Town. Portions of the city are cordoned off, marking a clear path from the holding corrals to the Plaza de Toros. The bulls featured in the encierros are some of the largest and most powerful in all of Spain and are accompanied by six oxen that have bells fastened around their necks. Runners only complete a small section of the course, and the entire event is usually over in less than four minutes.
What are the Pamplona Bull Run dates?
The Running of the Bulls takes place daily from July 7th-14th at 8 a.m.
How many people run with the bulls?
Between 2,000 and 4,000 people run with the bulls in Pamplona on any given day of the festival. The first run, on July 7th, is always the most crowded. Runners and festival-goers wear white clothes, a red waist sash, and a red handkerchief tied around their neck in honor of Saint Fermin.
Who can run with the bulls?
Anyone who is 18 years or older can participate in the event, as long as they are not intoxicated, do not incite the bulls, and follow other rules and regulations. Those who are interested in taking part in the race have to be at their designated spot before 7:30 a.m. At exactly 8:00 a.m., the bulls are released onto the street, and the frenzied dash starts.
Are the Pamplona bull runs dangerous?
Yes, 16 people have died in the bull runs since 1924, when officials began keeping records. Red Cross personnel are on-hand to attend to runners who fall, get trampled or gored. Every year, hundreds of people are harmed, some requiring immediate transfer to local hospitals.
What is the history of the encierro?
The encierro originated from the need to transport bulls from the outside of the city to the bullring, where they would later be dispatched. Over the years, this practice evolved into more of a competition and show of bravado. In Pamplona, the six animals that run in the encierro are featured in the evening bullfights.
Where is the bull run course?
The Pamplona bull run map shows just how perilous the course is. The entire route is just 875 meters long, wending along the cobblestone streets of the city’s Casco Viejo. There are sharp turns to navigate, narrow bends, hazardous slopes, and a chokepoint at the end where the beasts and runners must jostle to enter the bullfighting stadium.
The encierro starts at Calle de Santo Domingo, which has a noticeable incline and is one of the most treacherous sections. The next segment passes through Town Hall Square, and on to Calle Mercaderes. From this point, it is not unusual for a bull to break away from the group, increasing the danger of someone being hurt.
The route then takes a hard bend onto Calle Estafeta. Runners have to be extra cautious on “Dead Man’s Corner” to avoid being crushed.
Calle Estafeta is straight, slightly uphill, and over 300 meters long. Crossing in front of the telephone exchange begins the downhill slope leading to the passageway into the Plaza de Toros.
This is a highly dangerous stretch, protected by two rows of fencing, and inside the passage way there are alcoves where people can take refuge if they fall.
When all the bulls are in the arena, a third rocket is fired and, once they are through the door of the pens, a fourth announces that the bull run is officially over.
Pamplona festival packages for 2025
The San Fermin Fiesta is just around the corner, and Pamplona hotels are booking up fast! Take advantage of our all-inclusive Pamplona tour packages, that include everything you need for a stress-free vacation:
- 4-star accommodation
- Pamplona bull run balcony
- Transportation
- Expert local guidance
- 2025 Pamplona bullfight tickets
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