Alternate Route into Pamplona worth the time and effort

[Deleted member 43985]

This year I decided to try the alternative river walk into Pamplona and really enjoyed it. When the route goes under the highway to the rest area outside of Pamplona, instead of taking off up the steep path you walk back across the bridge towards the city. Then there are nice pathways along the river that will eventually join you up with the main route just before Puente Magdalena. You lose a nice section of dirt track in the beginning but gain a much nice transit through the city. If you’ve taken the main path before I would certainly recommend the alternate your next go round!

 

[Jaro Drábik]

Hi, I´m just planning .gpx track for my upcoming Camino route, so seing your post, I immediately check your advice via Google Earth (street view, photos) and didn´t gain the same impression. Native route to Pamplona doesn´t seem as dirty and passes very close to all nice places in the city. So I will use original camino and maybe another year I can possibly try it along the river, what is a little bit longer and also more calm.
Attached you can see part of my .gpx track (yellow) through Pamplona center. In some places I added small detours to meet all the nicest points in the city. Thanks, Hi, Jaro

 

[Kathryn1966]

On the way to Pamplona I stoped by the abbey and spoke to Neil and he advised to take the bike route which went via the river it was great advice as it was raining and the other track would not have been fun. So if you have a chance on the way to Pamplona stop by the abbey and speak to Neil for any advice ( he had the most photographed lettuces they were red and green)

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

So, it sounds like the river route will be a good diversion or if it is raining. Good to have options.

 

[Former member 49149]

So, it sounds like the river route will be good to bypass the city or if it is raining. Good to have options.

I believe Jozero is referring to a spot about 8km before Pamplona. There are different points of view about traditional routes... at Irotz, there is a path with an arrow that is parallel to the tarmac path that leads to the rest area. Taking the little path rather than the tarmac path leads you to Lower Zabaldika. Once there, you can go right, cross the road carefully and take the short and steep path to the church of San Esteban in Zabaldika Upper. If you choose to go left, you follow the tarmac path that ends with a very short tunnel just at the rest area. Here you choose. Climb, and connect with the path leading from Zabaldika Upper, and snake around the shoulder of the hill till you come to Trinidad de Arre, approx 5 km from Pamplona. Or walk along the tarmac path that borders the river and comes out in Huarte, and continue to Pamplona. So, this does not bypass the city. The advantage of the river path is that it provides shade in high summer, and is a dream for cyclists. Neil always tells people to take the river walk. If you know the options you can make up your own mind.

 

[jsalt]

When the route goes under the highway to the rest area outside of Pamplona, instead of taking off up the steep path you walk back across the bridge towards the city. Then there are nice pathways along the river

Hi, I took this route a couple of years ago and it was really lovely. I had to negotiate getting through Huarte and finding the cycle track again on the other side, but it wasn’t too difficult, and that was before I had GoogleMaps or MapsMe on my phone.
Jill

 

[Denisealldridge]

This year I decided to try the alternative river walk into Pamplona and really enjoyed it. When the route goes under the highway to the rest area outside of Pamplona, instead of taking off up the steep path you walk back across the bridge towards the city. Then there are nice pathways along the river that will eventually join you up with the main route just before Puente Magdalena. You lose a nice section of dirt track in the beginning but gain a much nice transit through the city. If you’ve taken the main path before I would certainly recommend the alternate your next go round!

Thank you for this