Newbie Questions

[Pélerin17]

We are planning to hike the Camino Frances as a family (2 adults, 2 girls age 11 and 13) in 4 stages over 4 years, starting in July, 2017. We are aware that this is the high season, but unfortunately that's the time when we are able to go. In our normal lives, we are reasonably active but not outdoorsy, so long-distance hiking will be new to us. We have some general questions and some season-specific ones:

General

• What is a realistic distance that we can cover in 7 days?
• Should we try to do St. Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles in one day or break it up? Also, which of the two routes is better with children?

Season-specific

• Ideally, we would prefer not to pre-book lodgings so that we can adjust our walking ambitions to the conditions. But we are concerned about scrambling for lodgings and possibly not finding any. This is of extra concern given that we are hiking with children and would prefer to avoid big dormitory style hostels, and I don't know what kind of supply of more private lodgings we can hope to find. What do you advise?
• We will pass through Pamplona during the San Fermin festival. My impression is that this is a big bacchanalia best suited for adults. Should we try to avoid overnighting there? If so, can we expect to find lodging in towns outside of Pamplona without having advance reservations, and how far outside would we need to look?
• Do we need to carry sleeping bags in July, or is a liner sufficient?

Thanks for your help.

 

[wcsjms]

All I can address is that we stopped at Orisson over night and were glad we did. We booked well in advance. Space is limited and is dormitory fashion. The showers are an experience. It's a nice break on the first day and we did not have to press ourselves to reach Roncesvalles the first day. Young and in shape people yes but we are in our 60's and our training was not as thorough as needed. This fall, we will be ready ! Buen Camino !!!

 

[Anemone del Camino]

San Fermin: it will be chaos, so book something before or after Pamplona.

Napoleon route in 1 day? Absolutely. Cows and sheep sharing the road with you, the rare car on the first part, then no trafic. Safer in my opinion than the alternative. Bring a snack, take your time, no need to waste a day to be one of 20 people taking an overnight break watching people walk by. Not sure the teens wiuld be happy campers being cooped up.

Booking? In SJPP yes, for the night around Pamplona yes, for the rest see how busy it is.

Liner only in July, with pillowcase as well if my preference as pillowcases don't get washed daily in albergues.

I like 23 km a day, but many would end the day at noon if that was all they walked. There are taxis, if not buses, everywhere along the Frances, so matter where you end you can get to a larger center to catch a regional bus or train.

 

[C & W]

During the planning stage of our first camino, we realized we would be in Pamplona for San Fermin, so we actually delayed my retirement for two weeks in order to avoid this. I can't imagine taking 2 girls there during the festa. I would strongly suggest changing the start date. If you can't, then consider starting somewhere else, perhaps Logrono or Burgos, then picking up from SJPP the following year.

As for the first day's travel, you could also consider walking the 8 or 9 km to Orisson and staying there rather than spending the first night in SJPP. If you do, you will need to reserve very far in advance. We made the mistake of taking the Valcarlos route, and the final climb to Ibaneta was the most difficult for us of the entire camino.

 

[Ahhhs]

I enjoyed Orisson. It's a pretty spot and it was fun meeting so many other pilgrims and sharing a big communal dinner on the first night out. If you're not in a big hurry it's also nice to break up the first day's walk.

If you do want to stay overnight there be sure to reserve well in advance.

Buen Camino

 

[trecile]

We will pass through Pamplona during the San Fermin festival. My impression is that this is a big bacchanalia best suited for adults. Should we try to avoid overnighting there? If so, can we expect to find lodging in towns outside of Pamplona without having advance reservations, and how far outside would we need to look?

Arrgh! I didn't realize that with our July 4 start date my friend and I will hit Pamplona during San Fermin. I guess we'll just have to deal with it!