Starting in Pamplona

[wanderwoman]

Querido Peregrines,

I'm thinking of starting in Pamplona now instead of Roncesvalles. I might be a bit too rushed starting in Roncesvalles but equally, don't want to miss out on a nice part. Has anyone started in Pamplona? This is my first camino!!

xAmanda

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I have started in Pamplona a number of times, and recommend it highly. There is so much scenery in the world that it is nearly impossible to see it all. What you miss between Roncesvalles and Pamplona is not dramatic in my opinion. Buen camino.

 

[Kanga]

Pamplona is a great place to start. If you fall in love with the Camino, as many if us have done, you can always come back and start further back in France - even as far back as Le Puy.

The walk out of Pamplona has its own challenges - it is a strenuous walk up the Sierra del Perdon, and down the other side.

 

[PANO]

For the reasons cited in http://www.caminodesantiago.me/comm...a-is-a-great-starting-point-for-the-cf.22654/, I regard Pamplona as the ideal starting point for the Camino.

 

[CaptBuddy]

The journey, the adventure, your pilgrimage, begins before you step onto Spanish soil, if you are like most. Taking those first steps West is just the start of another phase.
I think starting in Pamplona is an excellent idea.

 

[scruffy1]

Pamplona is also a lovely city, don't let your enthusiasm cause you to straight off run down the Camino without giving Pamplona a good look. Try to set your own pace, the climb up to Alto del Perdon is a surprise the first day off, the statues on the top are marvelous (though I admit a subject of controversy for some) the slip-slide down is not catastrophic but will be difficult if you are tired. If you are tired don't mush on to Puente la Reina just because the guidebooks say to, there is a lovely private albergue in Utegra allowing a nice rest, they will fix dinner, and next morning you can see the Eunate church refreshed and in the morning light. Obanos also has a nice albergue allowing you a good morning look around Puente which has several churches as well as the bridge all very lovely.

 

[basquelady]

Querido Peregrines,

I'm thinking of starting in Pamplona now instead of Roncesvalles. I might be a bit too rushed starting in Roncesvalles but equally, don't want to miss out on a nice part. Has anyone started in Pamplona? This is my first camino!!

xAmanda

We started in Roncesvalles last Aug 24th and found the walk to Pamplona (over 3 days) was taxing. We were 65 and 74 then, so decided to start slowly. This year we will start from Pamplona and plan on stopping at Zariquiegui as we did last year. This means we'll be walking up to Alto del Perdon at sunrise again. You'll find that for the first few days on the camino, you'll have a lot to get used to in terms of getting your washing done in time for it to dry, working out the best way to arrange your pack and just generally getting used to the routine. If you have time, best to take it easy the first few days.

 

[GreatDane]

I'm thinking of starting in Pamplona now instead of Roncesvalles.

Hi Amanda, when will you be on the CF? I'm not starting in SJPdP either. I was going to start in Zubiri but now I'll be starting from the Corazón Puro Pensión instead. I figured I'd need transport up out of Pamplona into the Pyrenees anyway and they have a menu of services. Istavan put one together for me that is transport from Pamplona to their pension, dinner, overnight in a real bed (not a bunk) and breakfast. Husband thinks I'm nuts and should start in SJPdP like he did but I am still nursing a healing meniscus tear. I know the trail down stinks so I'll take it slow!!! Night two will be Zubiri or around there,night three Pamplona and maybe stay part of the next day to play tourist and then only go as far as Cizur Menor in the afternoon. And then on to Burgos.

 

[krazeekuban]

I loved starting in Pamplona May of 2012! Visited again last October 2013. It is great to start there slowly and take your time to get to Santiago. You can always walk over the Pyrennes another time on another Camino. There are no rules on where to start!

 

[basquelady]

Hi Amanda, when will you be on the CF? I'm not starting in SJPdP either. I was going to start in Zubiri but now I'll be starting from the Corazón Puro Pensión instead. I figured I'd need transport up out of Pamplona into the Pyrenees anyway and they have a menu of services. Istavan put one together for me that is transport from Pamplona to their pension, dinner, overnight in a real bed (not a bunk) and breakfast. Husband thinks I'm nuts and should start in SJPdP like he did but I am still nursing a healing meniscus tear. I know the trail down stinks so I'll take it slow!!! Night two will be Zubiri or around there,night three Pamplona and maybe stay part of the next day to play tourist and then only go as far as Cizur Menor in the afternoon. And then on to Burgos.

We walked from Roncesvalles to Corazon Puro last year, then on to Zubiri next day; we found that quite tough, because of the stony downhill to Zubiri after all the ups and downs all day. I'd then highly recommend staying at the Albergue Parroquial de Zabaldika. Peaceful donativo albergue with communal cena and breakfast. It's then an easy walk to the lovely German Paderborn albergue on the outskirts of Pamplona.

 

[Sooh]

We too are starting from Pamplona - arriving on 23rd September, having a day to walk around seeing the sights and then starting our walk to Santiago on 25th September. This will be our first Camino.

We will be staying at the Hostal Navarra. We are unsure where to go If they do not have a stamp. Any suggestions?

Buen Camino

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Virtually all hotels have a stamp. You can get one at the cathedral, too.

 

[Sooh]

Virtually all hotels have a stamp. You can get one at the cathedral, too.

Thank you ...