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.