Two British pilgrims were rescued after they spent five days lost trying to walk the Camino de Santiago trail in Spain.

The unnamed pair were forced to drink from ditches and mountain streams after they lost their way at some point on the 20-mile route, according to the Guardian. They set off from the French town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port last Friday but only realised the severity of their situation on Tuesday evening when they called the emergency services.

"They were tired, rather dehydrated and hungry," the Navarra government said when a helicopter crew found the pair.

"Given that the area was too steep to land the helicopter, the firefighters came down to check what kind of state the hikers were in. After making sure they were OK [and providing water], they decided not to risk a dangerous air rescue and chose instead to note down the co-ordinates and told the pilgrims to stay put while they went to get an off-road vehicle."

A spokesman for the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: "Two British nationals who were reported missing have now been safely found in Navarra. Our consular staff are ready to provide any support if requested."

The famous pilgrim route is 500 miles in total across southern France and ends in the Spanish city of Santiago de Compostela. There the cathedral holds the bones of St James the Apostle, according to legend.

For centuries Roman Catholics have completed the trail seeking healing or comfort from God at St James' shrine in the cathedral.