Newbie

[James Peter McDonald]

I posted this on someone else's thread but thought I would post on my own. So I am leaving on the 31st from SJPP and Roncesvalles albergue is full. I was able to book in to Albergue Haizea in Espinal on the night of 31st. I realize its a extra hour or so farther. Any feed back about this place or my plane is appreciated.
Thanks

 

[notion900]

It's got a bar! Sounds like a smart move to me.

 

[naplesdon]

It is a long walk for the first day ofone's Camino. Ultreya!

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

I posted this on someone else's thread but thought I would post on my own. So I am leaving on the 31st from SJPP and Roncesvalles albergue is full. I was able to book in to Albergue Haizea in Espinal on the night of 31st. I realize its a extra hour or so farther. Any feed back about this place or my plane is appreciated.
Thanks

It would be a long first day of about 30km.

Wish you a wonderful time and a Buen Camino,Peter.

 

[Felipe]

I'd try to stay the previous night in Huntto or Orisson, so I cut some kms next day. Having said that, a SJPP - Espinal stage is feasible. I am in my "sixties", rather a slow walker, but arrived in good shape to Roncesvalles; I could have walked an hour more, easily.
But take a good rest in Ronc (there is a bar), collect your stamp in the abergue, and don't push yourself too hard.
I suggest that you notify the albergue of your late arrival, just in case.
Buen camino!

 

[Deleted member 43985]

Unless you're on a tight schedule, it may be worth considering breaking up the stages to Pamplona. For my two cents, Those first few days around the Pyrenees are some of the nicest landscapes and I wouldn't want to rush through them with long days if I didn't need to. There are lots of days later you can extend your days without missing out on views (ie Meseta) and if you push too hard at the beginning you also run the risk of injury/blisters while you are getting 'Camino Tough'. Hope you have a great experience! Buen Camino!

 

[Deleted member 36903]

Agree with others that it is a long day you have planned but @Felipe's suggestion that you take a long break at Roncesvalles and let the Espinal albergue know you'll be arriving late, is a good one. I have stayed at Haizea , it is a good place, and not only a bar but also a restaurant serving good cheap food. Buen Camino!

 

[Kent Davis]

This should be a nice little challenge; you are probably talking 6.5 hours at least to Roncevalle. After climbing a good portion of the morning (Napolean) you get the choice of going almost straight down or a more windy slightly longer entrance to Roncesvalle. If you go straight down, your toes and shoes most likely will have a traumatic experience and your toes will need a break, among other things when you pull into Roncesvalle. Pay a lot of attention to your toes and feet in general when you get to Roncesvalle as they will be a bit swollen and need a break before you start up again. Buen Camino

 

[Saint Mike II]

I posted this on someone else's thread but thought I would post on my own. So I am leaving on the 31st from SJPP and Roncesvalles albergue is full. I was able to book in to Albergue Haizea in Espinal on the night of 31st. I realize its a extra hour or so farther. Any feed back about this place or my plane is appreciated.
Thanks

I stayed at Haizea back in May (2nd) E10 for the bed (most are single beds, 2 bunks I think) and around E12.5 for a two/three course meal (wine & water inc). Recommend it!! Only issue - the whole town/village was still in bed when I left around 7.30 am the next morning so maybe stock up with a breakfast snack and look forward to your coffee at Viskarret (3.2 km down the road (or is that up the hill??) Cheers

 

[Kanga]

@James Peter McDonald if you had planned a night in SJPDP before you leave on the 31st, you might consider instead walking on to Huntto and staying there, to give you a head start the next day on that long stage to Espinal. Huntto is only about 5km out of SJPDP, but straight uphill, and it does help to break the back of the long uphill to Roncesvalles.

There is a gite de etap (French version of an albergue) at Huntto, as well as a more upmarket bed and breakfast, and Madam Outiage who runs it is a superb cook, if you wish to shell out for the cost of dinner. Details here: http://www.gites-de-france-64.com/huntto/

 

[Felipe]

@James Peter McDonald There is a gite de etap (French version of an albergue) at Huntto, as well as a more upmarket bed and breakfast, and Madam Outiage who runs it is a superb cook, if you wish to shell out for the cost of dinner. Details here: http://www.gites-de-france-64.com/huntto/

I don't understand the tariffs. At 16-18 euros, it seems a good option. But I see that it is 600e (!) for two nights. I suppose it is about shared vs private dorms, but it is not clear.
The place seems fine, with superb views -a bit after Huntto.

 

[Kanga]

@Felipe I'm guessing, but I think the 600 euros is for a group hiring the whole gite.