Roncevalles

[Amy B]

Hi,

We are heading to Roncevalles in the next few days and I am slightly worried about accommodation - I don't want to end up sleeping in a doorway after the walk over the Pyranees. The hostel's reserved spaces are fully booked - before I start investigating other options to book - has anyone ever had any problems in getting into the Albergue there?

I'm just concerned that I'm walking with my Dad and it might take us a while to get over the Pyrenees!

Thanks,

Amy

 

[Al the optimist]

There are also two hostals. Have you looked at the others? The Albergue is huge, you won't find it full at this time of the year.

 

[Kanga]

Hi,

We are heading to Roncevalles in the next few days and I am slightly worried about accommodation - I don't want to end up sleeping in a doorway after the walk over the Pyranees. The hostel's reserved spaces are fully booked - before I start investigating other options to book - has anyone ever had any problems in getting into the Albergue there?

I'm just concerned that I'm walking with my Dad and it might take us a while to get over the Pyrenees!

Thanks,

Amy

Amy, Al's right. The Albergue is huge. You won't have any trouble getting in. Also, it's only a couple of flat kilometres up the road to Burguette, lovely village. It's where Hemingway wrote "The Sun Also arises". You can stay in the hotel where he stayed, and if you are lucky in his hotel room.

 

[AlanB]

Tonnes of space in Roncavalles. You can reserve as well.

 

[mspath]

Amy,

The pilgrim albergue at Roncesvalles monastery has 183 places plus additional overflow room. You and your father should be able to find a spot. However, just in case you are there at a VERY busy time see this page from the monastery web of hotels on site.

Don't miss the evening benediction service; it is a lovely way to begin walking in Spain.

Buen Camino,

Margaret Meredith

 

[Ice]

Amy, Al's right. The Albergue is huge. You won't have any trouble getting in. Also, it's only a couple of flat kilometres up the road to Burguette, lovely village. It's where Hemingway wrote "The Sun Also arises". You can stay in the hotel where he stayed, and if you are lucky in his hotel room.

Now I'm so torn! I have been very excited to stay at the monastery in Roncesvalles, but I'm just finishing The Sun Also Rises - I guess I don't have to decide until I'm there .

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I'm just concerned that I'm walking with my Dad and it might take us a while to get over the Pyrenees!

He could start by taking a taxi to Orisson, then walking to Roncesvalles. He will get plenty of exercise, and will be waiting for you in Roncesvalles! Don't let "rules" keep you from being prudent. If there is doubt about his ability to go the full day, help him out a bit.

 

[indyinmaine]

Hi,

We are heading to Roncevalles in the next few days and I am slightly worried about accommodation - I don't want to end up sleeping in a doorway after the walk over the Pyranees. The hostel's reserved spaces are fully booked - before I start investigating other options to book - has anyone ever had any problems in getting into the Albergue there?

I'm just concerned that I'm walking with my Dad and it might take us a while to get over the Pyrenees!

Thanks,

Amy

Depending on how old your father is I hope you're stopping at Orisson the first day. That first day is steady climbing. If not, I'd definitely have him start from Orisson so he can get a headstart! As for Roncesvalles, I definitely prefer Burguette. There's a great pilgrim meal at the café next to the church.

 

[mspath]

That same cafe in Burguete which is next to the only church is open early every morning for breakfast and very pilgrim friendly. Within their complex is the local fronton court. I always stop here on my way down from Roncesvalles. If is still dark as you leave Roncesvalles be sure to wear or carry your head lamp or torch.

 

[Mark Lee]

Amy, Al's right. The Albergue is huge. You won't have any trouble getting in. Also, it's only a couple of flat kilometres up the road to Burguette, lovely village. It's where Hemingway wrote "The Sun Also arises". You can stay in the hotel where he stayed, and if you are lucky in his hotel room.

In retrospect I would have walked past Roncevalles and stayed in Burguete. It's only about another 3 km away and I would have tried to stay at the hotel. I grew to like Hemingway's writings when I was in college so long ago. His short stories collection hooked me.
Roncevalles is nice, but it was crowded when I was there (mid July). Besides, Burguete looked really cool, and quaint.

 

[Felipe]

Express Bourricot apparently has a bus service every day, from SJPP to cruz Thibault . That´s more than half of the way, and most of the climbing. Price is 18 e, and leaves at tourist office at 8 AM. Previous stops are at Vierge d´Orisson (or Biakorri), Orisson Albergue, and Huntto Albergue It was announced last year, so it would be better to confirm.
http://www.expressbourricot.com/es/servicios/transportedepersonas.html
You can begin your pilgrimage wherever you want to. There is no rule about this.
Buen camino!

 

[annakappa]

The last time we started in Roncesvalles, we walked dawn to Burgete after the Pilgrim's Mass. ( beautiful walk down thought the woods in the semi- darkness). We stayed in the B&B Piedra Arena, which we booked once having landed Madrid. We have an 8 hour jet lag, plus the long journey itself, so always stay in prívate acomodación the first night. Anne

 

[Rani]

The last time we started in Roncesvalles, we walked dawn to Burgete after the Pilgrim's Mass. ( beautiful walk down thought the woods in the semi- darkness). We stayed in the B&B Piedra Arena, which we booked once having landed Madrid. We have an 8 hour jet lag, plus the long journey itself, so always stay in prívate acomodación the first night. Anne

Can you recommend a place in Burgete, would rather stay here than Roncesvalles. Looked up the B&B you mentioned but no luck finding it. Thank you for all of your great advice and help.

 

[mspath]

Can you recommend a place in Burgete, would rather stay here than Roncesvalles. Looked up the B&B you mentioned but no luck finding it. Thank you for all of your great advice and help.

In Burguete/Auritz here is the web for the Casa Pedroarena .

MM

 

[Mark Lee]

http://www.hotelburguete.com/

http://www.hotelloizu.com/

 

[annakappa]

Can you recommend a place in Burgete, would rather stay here than Roncesvalles. Looked up the B&B you mentioned but no luck finding it. Thank you for all of your great advice and help.

Sorry Rani. I was writing from memory, without checking the name. Margaret is right, it's Casa Pedroarena! I would certainly do this again, rather than spending the night in Roncesvalles. Apart from that silent walk down through the woods in the growing night ( it was dark by the time we arrived in Burgete), it gave us the opportunity to get that little bit of exercise and, believe it or not, relaxation, that we needed after a very long 24 hours. Staying in Burgate was nice and quiet, well away from the enormous crowd of people who gather in Roncesvalles in the early morning, each eager to get on the way. Anne

 

[HalfDomeOrBust]

Sorry Rani. I was writing from memory, without checking the name. Margaret is right, it's Casa Pedroarena! I would certainly do this again, rather than spending the night in Roncesvalles. Apart from that silent walk down through the woods in the growing night ( it was dark by the time we arrived in Burgete), it gave us the opportunity to get that little bit of exercise and, believe it or not, relaxation, that we needed after a very long 24 hours. Staying in Burgate was nice and quiet, well away from the enormous crowd of people who gather in Roncesvalles in the early morning, each eager to get on the way. Anne

Hello Anne and Margaret, Is the Casa Pedroarena where Hemingway stayed? Just might reserv that for myself. Thank you ALL for the wealth of info!!! Ed

 

[Mark Lee]

Hello Anne and Margaret, Is the Casa Pedroarena where Hemingway stayed? Just might reserv that for myself. Thank you ALL for the wealth of info!!! Ed

Hemingway used to stay at the Hotel Burguete:
http://www.hotelburguete.com/

 

[mspath]

For more about Hemingway in Navarra see the Ruta de Hemingway and this PDF file prepared by TurismoNavarra. Many of his famous 'watering holes' in Pamplona are listed; don't over indulge!

MM

 

[Rani]

In Burguete/Auritz here is the web for the Casa Pedroarena .

MM

Thank you, I just booked a room, so happy.

 

[Rani]

Sorry Rani. I was writing from memory, without checking the name. Margaret is right, it's Casa Pedroarena! I would certainly do this again, rather than spending the night in Roncesvalles. Apart from that silent walk down through the woods in the growing night ( it was dark by the time we arrived in Burgete), it gave us the opportunity to get that little bit of exercise and, believe it or not, relaxation, that we needed after a very long 24 hours. Staying in Burgate was nice and quiet, well away from the enormous crowd of people who gather in Roncesvalles in the early morning, each eager to get on the way. Anne

Thank you, I just booked a room, looks wonderful

 

[Lmairead]

Express Bourricot apparently has a bus service every day, from SJPP to cruz Thibault . That´s more than half of the way, and most of the climbing. Price is 18 e, and leaves at tourist office at 8 AM. Previous stops are at Vierge d´Orisson (or Biakorri), Orisson Albergue, and Huntto Albergue It was announced last year, so it would be better to confirm.
http://www.expressbourricot.com/es/servicios/transportedepersonas.html
You can begin your pilgrimage wherever you want to. There is no rule about this.
Buen camino!

Would you please tell me where Cruz de Thibault is? I walked two weeks ago from SJPdeP -> Orisson - > Roncesvalles. Stayed in the Orisson Auberge and the restored monastery at Roncesvalles - both wonderful.
Just wondering is Cruz... an alternative route or the same route by another name?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

After Orisson but before the fountain of Roland:

 

[indyinmaine]

I'm clearly too late for the above dialog but my daughter and I stayed at Pedroarena last fall and it was superb. If you have any "early" health problems they can be efficiently dealt with at the clinic just around the corner as well.