From Saint-Palais to SJPdP

[Jom]

Planning to walk my first Camino, beginning the first of april in SJPdP. Now I have read about a two days walk from Saint-Palais to SJPdP to get used to walking in France and as an exercise tot walk in the Pyrenees.
Has anyone any experience with this route?

 

[SYates]

Sure, it is the last part of the Le Puy route, well way marked and good infrastructure for pilgrims.

Bon Chemin, SY

 

[Harington]

Sure, it is the last part of the Le Puy route, well way marked and good infrastructure for pilgrims.

Bon Chemin, SY

It's also the last part of the Voie de Vézelay (the routes meet at Ostabat). It's perfectly feasible to walk St Palais to SJPdP in a day - about 30km. The first part is quite hilly, with wonderful views of the Pyrenees.

 

[JabbaPapa]

It's a wonderful walk, and helps prepare for that massive stage out of SJPP.

 

[BShea]

Hello @Jom. I walked from St. Palais to SJPdP in 2013. It is about 4 kms or so from St. Palais to the Stele de Gibraltar which is where the Route de Vezelay and the Chemin du Puy interconnect. The route is well marked.

May I make a suggestion? You did not mention how you would be traveling to St Palais. Bus #811 (2€) leaves from the Bayonne train station 4 times per day / 6 days a week (here's the link: http://transports64.fr/Interurbains?lang=fr ) and not only stops in St Palais, but continues on to Aroue. There us a wonderful gite in Aroue (https://www.ferme-bohoteguia.com/english/) where you will eat like a king. Then, the next day, you can walk to Ostabat and stay at another gite (http://www.gites64.com/Gite-groupe-Ostabat-asme-Eyharts-Pyrenees-Pays-Basque-64G531002.html) that is lots of fun - the owner teaches everyone to sing in Basque. I think this plan is the ideal way to start the camino if you want to get in a couple of days of walking before the Pyrenees and have a good French experience before arriving in Spain.

 

[Purky]

St. Palais to SJPdP is a beautiful and tranquil walk. Recommended. You will not only pass the stèle de Gibraltar, as BShea already mentioned, but also the chapel of Soyharce and the old cross of Galzetaburu.

 

[Glenshiro]

I walked this route last year, finishing the le Puy trail, taking the bus from Bayonne to Etchary la Croix (amazing value for €2) and took two days to reach SJPDP. Beautiful unspoilt countryside and very quiet. I found SJ crowded and noisy by comparison! An excellent introduction to the Camino.