Bordeaux to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

[pau]

Hi, sorry if I make a mess posting this its my first post.

I was planning to start my Camino in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, but the way things have worked out I have decided to start at Bordeaux. There are a couple of things I hope some-one could help me with.

Is it OK to start walking from Bordeaux, or should I just get the train to Bayonne and walk from there?

If walking from Bordeaux, should I bring a tent? Is there good accommodation along the Bordeaux to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port route?

As always, money is a concern though not time so I'm "happy enough" to walk from Bordeaux, but just as happy to get a train to Bayonne. This is all supposed to be happening in a week or so I know I should have put more thought into it, but life happens.

Thanks for any help.

 

[jsalt]

Hi Pau
Try looking here:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/forums/the-tours-route.47/
for some threads that might help.
Jill

 

[naplesdon]

Take a look at the Grandes Randonnes (gr-infos.com) website. There are routes and I have driven along some of them and they don't look to be well serviced, obviously there is camping sites and gites along the way but a walk through the pine forests of Landes could be a little boring. My apologies to those who have walked this region and loved it.

 

[pudgypilgrim]

How good a walker are you? There are some mighty long stages right away in the Bordeaux to St Jean part of the Voie de Tours (because there just aren't that many places to stop or get provisions en route--it's nothing like the Camino Frances in that respect). I'll be walking from Paris in September, and I only hope that by the time I get to Bordeaux I will be in shape to laugh at 34 km days. It's also not that well-marked, by all accounts, so be sure to go the maison pelerin in Bordeaux and get the necessary information:

http://www.bordeauxcompostelle.com
EDIT The GR should be well marked, but it's generally a great deal longer than the routes recommended by Lepere and others, which are more direct.

You could also take the train to Bayonne and walk the Voie de la Nive from there to SJPdP.

 

[pau]

Thanks everyone. Will get the train from Bordeaux to Bayonne and then start my walk. Bordeaux to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port seems like a whole other Camino that I don't have the brain power to organise at the minute. Once again, thanks for your help.