Zubiri hazardous path

[Ruthinator]

Hello;

I started my camino on May 15th, today husband and I walked from Roncesvalles to Zubiri. I did the Camino in 2019 and the path from alto erro to Zubiri has eroded and is more hazardous than I remembered. There are rumors 3 people were injured today, don't quote me, just sharing what I heard. Be careful!

 

[CWBuff]

Like my Mom said when I told her I am off on a Pilgrimage in Spain - "You Will Suffer!"
I honestly do n ot know how badly it eroded since 2019 but in 2022 it was no picnic either...

Good Luck to All the Pilgrims who currently approaching that stretch. Be vigilant, be careful, take your time, (USE POLES!) ... if it rains - use the road with the same caution!

Camino Provides, Good Lord Protects!

 

[trecile]

Like my Mom said when I told her I am off on a Pilgrimage in Spain - "You Will Suffer!"
I honestly do n ot know how badly it eroded since 2019 but in 2022 it was no picnic either..

I don't remember it being an issue in 2016, 2017, or 2019. Definitely much worse in 2023.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

We walked it in 2015. I didn't think it a problem at all and said as much a year or two ago in a thread about how bad it was. Then I saw some pictures.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

We walked it in 2015. I didn't think it a problem at all and said as much a year or two ago in a thread about how bad it was. Then I saw some pictures.

I walked it in 2015 and 2017. I have no recollection of it being a difficult stretch, so apparently a lot of erosion has happened in the last few years on the way to Zubiri.

 

[J Willhaus]

Some of our forum regulars have fallen here and broken an arm or wrist. Please be careful!

 

[Dani7]

I walked it April 24th 2023 and stayed at Albergue Suseia. 8 people that day were taken to hospital due to injuries. Lots of mud. I had a slip and fall but fortunate not to incur an injury.

 

[NualaOC]

I fell on that path week. There are quite a few hazardous sections. Thankfully I wasn’t badly injured, but falls with backpacks are never pleasant.

 

[melbmeg]

Honestly I don’t know how anyone could get down that path without hiking poles. I was mentally exhausted by the end of it from the effort of trying not to fall.

 

[mspath]

Check out this earlier thread re
the descent into Zubiri for relevant posts.

I would NOT follow the camino path any further beyond the Puerto de Erro for it becomes hell. After one ghastly descent in 2004 for the next 9 CFs I always walked down the N135 road verges to Zubiri.

In dry weather I would follow the camino to Puerto de Erro where a food truck is often parked. From there walk on the verges of the N135. In rain or snow I would only follow the N135 from Roncesvalles and not the path.

 

[Kirkie]

I really have no bad memories of any section from Roncesvalles to Pamplona in 2006. The horrid part for me was the descent with great huge steps with a cement factory to the right, somewhere along the route, and before the rest area near Zabaldika. (At that time, the albergue was not yet open. The route taken from the rest area was up the hill, and towards Trinidad de Arre.)
I hope, perhaps next year, to check out the reality for myself. I do NOT doubt the veracity of reports, and just wonder why the local authorities have not intervened to upgrade the underfoot conditions, given that it is absolutely in their interests to so do.

 

[davejsy]

Certainly, in September last year, it was no problem - if you took care. It's certainly not everyone's favourite decent and is often singled out. I hope they don't do anything stupid with it like put in an escalator or something because it is part of the Camino, and as @mspath has helpfully pointed out above there are alternatives.

 

[slowtraveler]

Hello;

I started my camino on May 15th, today husband and I walked from Roncesvalles to Zubiri. I did the Camino in 2019 and the path from alto erro to Zubiri has eroded and is more hazardous than I remembered. There are rumors 3 people were injured today, don't quote me, just sharing what I heard. Be careful!

Hello,
That resonates with me. In late April 2022 there was a stretch of downhill to Zubiri that was treacherous. Sharp-edged narrow rocks separated by spaces where a misplaced ankle might suffer some real damage. I was very grateful to get through that area. We heard that there were several injuries sustained in that area. God bless all our fellow pilgrims as they navigate that stretch!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

@Peregrinopaul posted pictures of the rocky path down to Zubiri and also discussed its geology in another thread similar to this one. Paul has seven pictures in the post linked to below and another picture a few posts earlier.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/n135-puerto-de-erro-to-zubiri.85848/#post-1239140

 

[Jan Runkel]

Hello;

I started my camino on May 15th, today husband and I walked from Roncesvalles to Zubiri. I did the Camino in 2019 and the path from alto erro to Zubiri has eroded and is more hazardous than I remembered. There are rumors 3 people were injured today, don't quote me, just sharing what I heard. Be careful!

I walked it in 2018 and 2021 and hated it both times! More eroded?!!!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

@Peregrinopaul posted pictures of the rocky path down to Zubiri and also discussed its geology in another thread similar to this one.

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/n135-puerto-de-erro-to-zubiri.85848/#post-1239140

Thanks, Rick. I hadn't seen @Peregrinopaul's informative post before; it's great!

 

[jonesy75]

How long is this stretch?

 

[Catstablecloth]

just done this part path is very dangerous going down please be careful

 

[kathyandthomas]

We walked it in 2017 in good weather and it was tough. One of us fell, more, of a soft slip down. Absolutely use care and poles.

 

[Sue127]

Like my Mom said when I told her I am off on a Pilgrimage in Spain - "You Will Suffer!"
I honestly do n ot know how badly it eroded since 2019 but in 2022 it was no picnic either...

Good Luck to All the Pilgrims who currently approaching that stretch. Be vigilant, be careful, take your time, (USE POLES!) ... if it rains - use the road with the same caution!

Camino Provides, Good Lord Protects!

I walked in 2020 and 2022 and thought it fine, with poles. The worst part was when a group of four older (I'm in my 60s ) gentlemen wobbled past me on their bicycles (yes, I was on the path, not the road )

 

[CWBuff]

How long is this stretch?

Enough to take couple of hours.
Distance wise.... I think about 3km... Don't recall for sure
My friends decided to skip it today. Apparently the lady had a nasty fall when we walked in 22 so today with its being wet and muddy they chose to take a taxi

 

[GaryAus]

It was treacherous in 5 Jan 24 when we came through. Pouring rain and gushing water. Took 2 hours for 4 kms. The rocky trail iced up nicely in the cold. Baby steps but managed to get to Zubiri in one piece.

 

[Joynz]

That section was fine in early April 2023 - in dry weather. One needed to check feet placement at times, but nothing too bad - just a short section of rough, rocky trail with some ruts. But I’m an experienced back country hiker.

If your previous experience is mostly on well-graded trails then it may be more of a challenge. Using poles correctly will help immensely. And pick your route.

 

[mattythedog]

Hello;

I started my camino on May 15th, today husband and I walked from Roncesvalles to Zubiri. I did the Camino in 2019 and the path from alto erro to Zubiri has eroded and is more hazardous than I remembered. There are rumors 3 people were injured today, don't quote me, just sharing what I heard. Be careful!

7x down this trail and I never found it to be an issue. There are many more precarious descents on CF. I think the main problem is people out of condition get worn out coming up over the hill and down to Roncessvalles. Then they are sore and stiff and tend to hop down rather than methodically and purposefully place their feet and poles on those few slippery ledge sections in the last couple kliks. I did this stretch almost a month ago crossing the pyranees in rain and snow and sy freezing temperatures and rain almost ll the way down to Zubiri. Trail was VERY wet, but no issue.

 

[Robyn Scott]

We walked it in 2017 in good weather and it was tough. One of us fell, more, of a soft slip down. Absolutely use care and poles.

Also walked it in 2017. Found it difficult and dangerous. Poles essential. Can't imagine it being worse.

 

[mattythedog]

Also walked it in 2017. Found it difficult and dangerous. Poles essential. Can't imagine it being worse.

It’s no better and no worse

 

[John Crawford Howell]

My recollection of this early stretch of the Frances was its seeming interminableness. In the Cascades, especially in wet conditions, we who hike a fair amount are used to focusing—hard—when there is the risk of a fall or worse. In my view (and experience), it is always easier going up then down. It was a hot day. I stopped at Puerto de Erro for a refreshment at the "Taco Truck" before descending. Knowing where you are going to plant your foot on the next step is essential. Not a time to be thinking about puppies, baby goats, and lambs. I've fallen on my butt enough times as it is . . .

 

[Josephema]

Certainly, in September last year, it was no problem - if you took care. It's certainly not everyone's favourite decent and is often singled out. I hope they don't do anything stupid with it like put in an escalator or something because it is part of the Camino, and as @mspath has helpfully pointed out above there are alternatives.

I walked it in late September 2023 and found it quite difficult. I had poles, but at one point I sat down and scooched on my bum. I was surprised it was still considered a passable trail.

 

[DoughnutANZ]

I had no difficulties with it.

I just think about where I am placing my feet as I navigate this short stretch. I think that it does help to be thinking about the path rather than letting my mind drift off somewhere else or chatting to someone next to me.