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Yes, the Primitivo has more people walking and more infrastructure.Thanks Pelerina, I did follow your walk, I have walked the Primitivo which I imagine is also a lot busierare there days where I will not find anywhere to buy food? I've been studying buen Camino to try and suss out what amenities there are along the way and it looks like the latter stages have less, is that right?
Ah I see, should I phone ahead for each albergue? This is my first time walking without pre booking, getting braver with age! It's the Saturday I hope to arrive there so good to know about bar/restaurant but will bring supplies to be safe since there's a supermarket at the border.I would ring ahead to be sure about food at the monastery. The gentleman who opened the monastery albergue for us (you call when you arrive) brought the dinner that evening and breakfast next morning. We had asked the day before. I don’t know if that’s always available. There is a kitchen in the albergue. There is also a bar / restaurant in the village but we were there on a Sunday and it was closed by late afternoon.
No single pair of shoes will be perfect for all conditions you might encounter on the Camino. At this time of year on any Camino, you are not likely to find extreme rain, mud, etc. Considering that, and the fact that you have had previous problems with blisters, I suggest that you should focus your footwear search simply on finding the most comfortable shoes for your feet, regardless of the terrain.In over thinking mode now with regards to footwear! On my previous Camino's I have been blighted by blisters and am trying to find footwear which is appropriate and comfortable.
Just on that, on our 4th day (sounds like that will be your 3rd), we were going to stay in Olague, but ended up in Lantz due to the conditions we'd had up on the mountain making it a v long day despite being less than 20 kms. So we had to call Lantz albergue first to make sure it was open etc as described above, and then call Olague albergue to let them know we wouldn't be coming. In 'usual' circumstances, we would have gone on to Olague which would have made the last two stages more even in terms of kms and earlier into Pamplona. It's not a huge difference but just to say Olague is another option.follow your sections to Pamplona.
Not sure about your hiking pole issue...but as far as Altras...they are exactly what I walked in last year and found them to be terrific in terms of grip factor. At least IMHO! I didn't have poles (usually do!) and was ok..only two small spots where I would have liked them but made it thru ok with the help of a friend. LOVE the route FYI!!Hi there, I'm starting my two week Camino in Bayonne in a couple of weeks walking the Baztan then on to Burgos. In over thinking mode now with regards to footwear! On my previous Camino's I have been blighted by blisters and am trying to find footwear which is appropriate and comfortable. Having read others experience on the Baztan it seems it can be very muddy and wet, would my Altra lone peaks be up for this? Not sure whether the tread would be up for the terrain? Also considering my Meindl activo which feel a bit sturdier and "grippy"? Also want to order walking poles to be delivered to my Hostel as I arrive after 10pm and plan to start walking early next morning but can't figure out how to do this online, has anybody done this and could offer some advice? Sorry for the long ramble , as I say, overthinking and extremely excitedthanks
My plan is Olague at the momentJust on that, on our 4th day (sounds like that will be your 3rd), we were going to stay in Olague, but ended up in Lantz due to the conditions we'd had up on the mountain making it a v long day despite being less than 20 kms. So we had to call Lantz albergue first to make sure it was open etc as described above, and then call Olague albergue to let them know we wouldn't be coming. In 'usual' circumstances, we would have gone on to Olague which would have made the last two stages more even in terms of kms and earlier into Pamplona. It's not a huge difference but just to say Olague is another option.
My worry about the altras is the amount my foot moves around, I have the boots but feel their isn't enough give in the length! The meindl are a bit hard, I also have some walking sandals as an option! I'm the Goldilocks of footwearNot sure about your hiking pole issue...but as far as Altras...they are exactly what I walked in last year and found them to be terrific in terms of grip factor. At least IMHO! I didn't have poles (usually do!) and was ok..only two small spots where I would have liked them but made it thru ok with the help of a friend. LOVE the route FYI!!
So excited, especially after watching YouTube videos, just hoping I can avoid getting too lost or I may actually live out the Goldilocks story!My worry about the altras is the amount my foot moves around, I have the boots but feel their isn't enough give in the length! The meindl are a bit hard, I also have some walking sandals as an option! I'm the Goldilocks of footwear
We found the Baztan well marked. But as we stopped in Espelette the first night (which is a detour) we downloaded a wikiloc track for the next day to help us make our way back on to the Chemin.So excited, especially after watching YouTube videos, just hoping I can avoid getting too lost or I may actually live out the Goldilocks story!
That's great, the YouTube video I watched showed people getting lost, have downloaded maps on wikiloc with the hope that they are easy enough to use! Feel reassuredWe found the Baztan well marked. But as we stopped in Espelette the first night (which is a detour) we downloaded a wikiloc track for the next day to help us make our way back on to the Chemin.
It was the first time I’ve ever downloaded a GPS track and was glad to have it for the start of that day. I then downloaded for the rest of the days and kept my phone in my pocket so it would beep me if we went off the path, but it only happened once or twice and it was our fault. The signs were there.
We particularly appreciated the clear way marking in the forest climbing up to Monasterio de Belate - large freshly painted yellow arrows.
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Meindls just served me well in hot asphalt my feet tolerated and muddy mountains my feet stayed dry…..lucky to finish with no blisters.Hi there, I'm starting my two week Camino in Bayonne in a couple of weeks walking the Baztan then on to Burgos. In over thinking mode now with regards to footwear! On my previous Camino's I have been blighted by blisters and am trying to find footwear which is appropriate and comfortable. Having read others experience on the Baztan it seems it can be very muddy and wet, would my Altra lone peaks be up for this? Not sure whether the tread would be up for the terrain? Also considering my Meindl activo which feel a bit sturdier and "grippy"? Also want to order walking poles to be delivered to my Hostel as I arrive after 10pm and plan to start walking early next morning but can't figure out how to do this online, has anybody done this and could offer some advice? Sorry for the long ramble , as I say, overthinking and extremely excitedthanks
Thanks for your detailed reply, I'm reading it with uncontained excitement at the thought of the adventure to come! Definitely had issues with wrong shoes! Am obsessing about it as previously the shoes I have worn have been very comfortable whilst walking at home where the temperature is much lower but once the heat takes over on the Camino all bets are off! Each year I do learn new strategies, size up with shoes, toe socks, double sock, Vaseline, stock up on bandages and compeed etc will try the tape this yearI walked the Baztan two weeks ago and did the same itinerary that you mentioned. It was hot and dry on the first day and cool and wet the next two days, followed by a warm dry day. Unless it has been raining torrentially for quite some time, there is no problem with mud. You dont need waterproof shoes for this route in summer. I used my normal summer hiking shoes. They got wet in the rain and dried overnight, or in the sun, as I walked, without any problem.
I suggest you use your normal hiking shoes. May be your blisters are because of wrong shoe or sock sizes or a combination of both?
This is what I do for blisters:
If I note friction or hot spots, I stop and use plaster (esparadrapo in spanish) to protect the zone from fruther friction. If I note it one day, I tape over it the next day before I start walking. This time, I got a small one from the wet socks. Noted it right on time to apply the esparadrapo. No problem from then onwards.
For the poles, try contacting the hostal you plan to stay and see what they say.
Now, a bit on my experience:
On the French side, the way markings are discrete and were missing at some places. We were three walking on that day and all three got lost at some point. This is somehow compensated by the excess of yellow arrows in Spain. So, better to have a GPS track with you, just to make sure on unmarked intersections or when you are in doubt - there is no need to follow the GPS all the time.
First day from Bayona to Urdax was a bit hard due to the hot weather and asfalt. Follow the riverside walk until you reach Ustaritz. There are water fountains in some sections. But make sure you carry enough water from Ustaritz beucase there are not many water fountains in the french part. If you want to eat something, or refill your bottle, you have to go to Espelette or Souraide. There is not much shade in this section after Ustaritz. So, hot weather makes it worse especially near the col de "Piña colada". In Urdax, there were a couple of bars and a food truck open till 8. So, you can eat some pintxos, etc., but please check their timings, as soon as you arrive.
The second and third day were hikes in beech forests. We were lucky to have nice cool temperature and slight rain (a slightly heavier version of Sirimiri). You can have lunch in Arizkun or in Elizondo. Also buy food for dinner and breakfast from Elizondo, as there are no shops/bars in Berroeta. The restaurant in Lantz remained temporarily closed. There is a shop in Olague which closes at 14:30 and opens again in the evening from 19:00 - 20:00 h. The hospitalera in Olague also sells local cheese. There are basic kitchens in the albergues of Berroeta and Olague. Our shoes got wet, but dried at night, but got wet again on the next two days from the wet grass and rain. The Roman road in rain is slippery and I had a small sideways fall due to slipping. Be a bit more careful with wet Roman roads.
The stretch from Olague to Pamplona looked a bit unused and with overgrown plants. If you dont like getting scratched by thorns or are alergic to insect bites, use long trousers.I did it in shorts and ended up with some bites and scratches, which I expected. There is a bar in Sorauren. If you have alrady done the camino Frances, I suggest you take the riverside walk to Pamplona from Trinidad de Arre. Don't cross the bridge when you reach the village, but continue straight. This path has more trees and shade, but is a bit longer.
In Pamploa, we found that trying to have lunch is a bit complicated without previos reservations (also, we arried at the peak time :14:00 h). But, we managed to find a restaurant after looking around for some time.
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