Alternatives to Cizur Menor

[Bouwmeester]

I expect to walk through Pamplona on July 12th (during San Fermín) and thought of staying in one of the albergues in Cizur Menor that night. However, I'll probably not be the only pilgrim who chooses CM as an alternative to the crowds in Pamplona. So, just in case I'll get to Cizur Menor and everything turns out to be booked: what's the best way to go for a plan B?

Thanks in advance!

Tom

 

[Olivares]

Stay in Burlada (town prior) or even Villava. I suspect they will be just a crowded, though.

The following link lists dozens of places in Pamplona and nearby that offer lodging-- a lot of it homeowners who rent a room in their homes at good rates, etc... It is in Spanish, but you can manage
http://www.sanfermin.com/index.php/es/d ... cos/dormir

Buen Camino!

 

[mspath]

Tom,

You might continue to Zariquiegui and stay in this new place which is both private albergue and hostal. They also take reservations.
http://www.laposadadeardogi.com/

Or continue further up over the Alto de Perdon to Uterga for this private albergue and hostal. Here you can also reserve in advance. I have often stayed in their albergue and eaten in the restaurant. All was fine and the showers GREAT.
http://www.caminodelperdon.es/

Watch out for those bulls and Buen Camino!

Margaret Meredith

 

[na2than]

cizur is wonderfull try to get into the albergue run by the "mamma camino".she is famous ,she dressed my blisters and relaced my boots....3 minutes walk from state of the art swimming pool complex with great food..swim...sun tan and look up at padron in front of you!

 

[Bouwmeester]

Hi all, thanks for your advice! Really helpful. I've purchased Brierley's maps, but I don't want to cling onto his stages too much - although I don't think there's much of a difference during the first few days. The stage to Pamplona/Cizur Menor, however, is about 20 kms, so walking on for a few more kms should definitely be possible that day.

I'm a bit wary of pre-booking because I'd like to take things as they come (only have reservations in SJPdP and at Orisson). Would that be risky in villages like Zariquiegui, where there's just one private albergue with 10-20 beds?

 

[mspath]

Bouwmeester,

The worries that you cite unfortunately depend on what might be described as the luck of the draw.

You can only reserve a bunk in advance at private albergues or hostals. If you have a reservation you should be assured of a bed. Without a reservation it is first come first taken. However some of these places have or know of 'hidden' backups, Ie another floor or adjacent out-building. Often hospiteleros will call around to help find you another affordable space.

Thus finding a bunk in the busy season CAN be difficult. That's one reason I have always gone in autumn and winter. It may be cold but there are plenty of bunks!

By the way near Zariquiegui as well as close to Alto de Perdon and Uterga there is much open space. Perhaps ad hoc camping might be considered.

Good luck!,

Margaret Meredith

 

[Bouwmeester]

Bouwmeester,

The worries that you cite unfortunately depend on what might be described as the luck of the draw.

You can only reserve a bunk in advance at private albergues or hostals. If you have a reservation you should be assured of a bed. Without a reservation it is first come first taken. However some of these places have or know of 'hidden' backups, Ie another floor or adjacent out-building. Often hospiteleros will call around to help find you another affordable space.

Thus finding a bunk in the busy season CAN be difficult. That's one reason I have always gone in autumn and winter. It may be cold but there are plenty of bunks!

By the way near Zariquiegui as well as close to Alto de Perdon and Uterga there is much open space. Perhaps ad hoc camping might be considered.

Good luck!,

Margaret Meredith

Thanks again for your advice, Margaret. You're right about the luck of the draw - I'm aware that it's crowded in summer, but was most concerned about the part just after Pamplona because of all the festivities going on. However, I just realised that I might happen to find a bed in Cizur Menor quite easily while it could prove to be unexpectedly more difficult somewhere else along the Camino. That's probably all part of letting go, I think. As I've read on the forum various times, the Camino will provide (And ad hoc camping, if it should turn out to be the only option, probably just adds to the adventure!)

 

[Jochen-Schmidtke]

Re: All beds around Pomplona are booked out?

Hello.
During "San Fermin" in a radius of approx 40 km around Pamplona are booked out long time in advance!
And the prices for a bed (even in the shabbiest place) explode!
Buen Camino
Jochen

 

[whariwharangi]

There is a bus service to Pamplona ... so if Cizur Menor is booked solid take the bus back into town for the night.

 

[KiwiNomad06]

There is a bus service to Pamplona ... so if Cizur Menor is booked solid take the bus back into town for the night.

Quite a few people I knew ended up doing this. Cizur Menor seemed to fill up quite quickly, and hospitaleros were telling people about buses back to Pamplona.
Margaret

 

[annakappa]

Between the two Albergues in Cizur Menor there is a grand total of 79 beds. I think that in mid- July, even without the San Fermin days, they are filled up pretty soon! Anne

 

[Stlrms]

Good information! I will begin my Camino July 13th in St Jean Pued-de-Port so I'll be going through this area during the Running of the Bulls also.
Burn Camino
Robin

 

[frasert]

I can highly recommend the main albergue near the cathedral in Pamplona (Jesus Y Mary) and the little cafe across the road opens at six thirty am for the best 3€ breakfast.

 

[RENSHAW]

I expect to walk through Pamplona on July 12th (during San Fermín) what's the best way to go for a plan B?

Hey Tom , Why not try the Albergue Trinidad de Arre just before Pamplona and make sure that you get there early - we have been speaking about this Albergue recently so much more info if you search the forum about this particular Albergue. :wink:

 

[annakappa]

I can highly recommend the main albergue near the cathedral in Pamplona (Jesus Y Mary) and the little cafe across the road opens at six thirty am for the best 3€ breakfast.

Sorry to say, but the Albergues in Pamplona are CLOSED during the S. Fermin festivities! Anne

 

[wgr]

We are beginning to walk on 6 July and I was wondering what days in july exactly are affected by the San Fermin festival?

 

[wgr]

Forgot to say we are beginning in St Jean on 6 July.

 

[mspath]

We are beginning to walk on 6 July and I was wondering what days in july exactly are affected by the San Fermin festival?

wgr,

The dates for 2013 are 6 - 14 July. See this web page for more info. >> http://www.sanfermintravelcentral.com/.

Watch out for those bulls and Buen Camino!

Margaret Meredith

 

[RENSHAW]

Watch out for those bulls and Buen Camino!

He he - newspaper report .......'Unsuspecting pilgrim becomes overnight Matador Sensation! ?? :mrgreen:

 

[Bouwmeester]

Thank you all for the additional advice. Will try to get to Pamplona early in any case, and then see what's the best way to go. I noticed that some albergues are opened during San Fermín, such as Casa Paderborn - but indeed, most are not. Renshaw, are you sure Trinidad de Arre is also opened during the festivities?

I've contacted the private albergue in Zarequiegui a few days ago (changed my mind overnight and thought that booking in advance might be best for this particular situation), but didn't get a reply from them yet. As I've read elsewhere on this forum, they were supposed to open halfway April, but haven't done so (website hasn't been updated either). If that remains a question mark I'll stick to my original plan and take things as they come. There still are various possibilities, so I hope that one of them will work out.

 

[RENSHAW]

Renshaw, are you sure Trinidad de Arre is also opened during the festivities?

Go to the HOME page , scroll down to Ivar's Camino Frances ' work in progress' and you will find phone numbers for most of the Albergues under each Albergue featured.

You will not be able to book though - doubt it?

 

[wgr]

Margaret thanks for ur link. It now concerns me slightly where four of us will get a bed in this area. Have no idea how far we will get each day but as we only have 11 days to walk this time we hope to make it to Roncesvalles the first day. I am taking from this forum that it will be very hot at this time also!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The bar and albergue in Zariquiegui is open, clean and modern, and has a bar and restaurant downstairs, and a pilgrim lounge with kitchen upstairs. It also has a computer and WiFi.

A bed is 11£ and dinner is another11€. I don't know if the albergue somewhat downhill is open.