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You will likely find plenty of others on the Norte next May. Next year you can check our May Calendar thread when it's posted to see if there will be other forum members that you can connect with on the Norte.
Yes, that's how I did it last year. And it's not true that you have no gps. Gronze maps, Wise Pilgrim, and Buen Camino all use your phone's gps. Make sure that you download all of the content on the apps.
I see that you are in the US. I recommend that you check to see if there's a local chapter of American Pilgrims near you.
https://americanpilgrims.org/
I suggest that you start by reading the different sections of this forum.
There are many sub forums including gear selection, route selection, and travel and transport options.
No one can answer all of your questions in one post.
Exactly. My first time I didn't have an app or a guide book! I did have the paper from the Pilgrim Office in SJPdP with the stages and all the albergues.
Please make a separate post with the "ride share" prefix in the Camino Francés forum:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/camino-frances-most-popular-route.12/
And as @David Tallan said, contact your local chapter of American Pilgrims. The Valley of the Sun chapter is very active...
St Jean Pied de Port is basically "pilgrim central." You will definitely not be alone, and there will be many people you can ask questions of - the Pilgrims Office, the hospitaleros where you sleep, and your fellow pilgrims.
I suggest downloading a couple of Camino apps, like Wise Pilgrim and...
For May 2025 I recommend starting either mid April or after May 15th. The beginning of May is one of the busiest times for starting from St Jean Pied de Port.
If you want to split the stage between SJPdP and Roncesvalles start checking the websites for Auberge Borda and Refuge Orisson in...
Pilgrim House has no affiliation with the Pilgrim Office. It's a place of respite and assistance for pilgrims. If you are lucky you can meet @natefaith there.
Unfortunately, they are closed on Wednesdays and Sundays.
https://www.pilgrimhousesantiago.com/
I'm definitely no expert on Paris, but both times that I've been there I've taken one of the free (not totally free - the guides rely on tips) walking tours available, and always learn something new.
As far as I know, most trains to Bayonne, then on to SJPdP depart from Gare Montparnasse. The...
Last June I joined the Francés from the Primitivo at Melide. After lunch in Melide my walking companions and I continued on to Boente. The next day we stayed at Albergue Astrar near Santa Irene - our group we're the only pilgrims staying there that night. It's 700 meters off of the Camino...
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