Buying sticks on the camino

[Jenny Fortune]

Can anyone advise me whether it's possible to buy cheap walking sticks at the beginning of the camino, Irun or hendaye? thanks, Jenny

 

[Olivares]

I bought my first wooden stick at SJPDP across from the Office of Pilgrims. On my times on the Camino, I have preferred the wooden sticks and were able to either buy them for about 5 Euros and sometimes even got them for free as leftovers (specially on the big anchor cities along the Camino Frances). The last one I left at a corner outside the Cathedral, an attendant told me they go around every evening and collect leftover wooden sticks . One time I just went into an Albergue and asked if there were leftover wooden sticks. I had about 8-10 to picked from. There were sections where a walking aid is a knee-saver! Buen Camino!

 

[Felipe]

I don't know about Irun or Hendaye...but there are shops catering to pilgrims in main Camino cities, as SJPP, Pamplona, Logroño, Burgos and León.

 

[Mark Lee]

St. Jean has shops where you can buy wooden walking sticks as well as modern, telescoping aluminum ones, as does Pamplona.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Wooden sticks are sold all along the way, priced from 3 to 20 euros, but generally under 10 euros.

 

[jayree]

In contrast to SJPdP where there are hiking staffs everywhere I had trouble finding one in Irun. Finally, the hospitelero directed me to a small shop run by Augustin (Paseo Colon, 7) that looked like an antique store. I didn't see any staffs and thought I was at the wrong store. But, in a back corner he had many hiking staffs, or makilas, all about 10-12 Euro.

Augustin gave me his business card. I noted his last name was Thalamas. I asked,"Is that Basque?"

"No, my father is French and I was born in France, but my grandfather is Greek. My mother is a Jew from Granada. Europe is small. There have been a lot of wars. People move around a lot."

Augustin also showed me a really nice handcrafted traditional Basque makila. He unscrewed the tip to reveal a concealed glistening lance that looked razor sharp. It sort of gave new meaning to "walk softly but carry a big stick."

Be sure to get the makila before setting off for San Sebastian.

On the CF the hike between Portomarin and Arzúa is called rompepiernas (leg breaker). I called the hike between Irun and San Sebastian rompetobillos (ankle breaker).The makila really helped.

 

[rickster]

I had the same question because I am considering leaving my pacer poles behind due to the stress of possibly having to check them. There are at least two sporting goods stores in Irun and I checked their website and it appears that they sell the trekking/ski poles. Still haven't decided but at least i now know that I have that option. I would not want to tackle the first leg of the Camino del Norte without sticks.

 

[OnePerfectStep]

I'm planning on bying a staff Sarria, can I be sure, that there are ships which sell them?

 

[OnePerfectStep]

i meant shops , damn this autocorrect

 

[taozenqi]

St. Jean has shops where you can buy wooden walking sticks as well as modern, telescoping aluminum ones, as does Pamplona.

Any shop names that you remember ? My trekking poles have disappeared en route and I will need another pair once I arrive in SJPDP.

 

[Mark Lee]

Any shop names that you remember ? My trekking poles have disappeared en route and I will need another pair once I arrive in SJPDP.

Don't remember the names of the shops, but they are quite easy to find both in St. Jean and Pamplona. You will see them when you are there, or just inquire as to their locations. Believe me, it won't be difficult to get replacement trekking poles.
Buen Camino

 

[Deleted member 3000]

In Sarria:

Peregrinoteca.com
Calle Benigno Quiroga, 16
27600 Sarria

 

[tashgonewalkabout]

I had the same question because I am considering leaving my pacer poles behind due to the stress of possibly having to check them. There are at least two sporting goods stores in Irun and I checked their website and it appears that they sell the trekking/ski poles. Still haven't decided but at least i now know that I have that option. I would not want to tackle the first leg of the Camino del Norte without sticks.

Hello Rickster - and everyone else, would you mind telling us the name of the shops please, or even which shops are accesible by foot from the albergues? ? I also want to carry my pack to Spain as carry on - but don't want to be without poles
Thanks.
I have found this one online http://www.intersport.es/productos/outdoor/bastones but would prefer a shop I could walk to myself

 

[Arn]

In Irun: these are trekking poles:
http://www.intersport.es/productos/outdoor?page=15

Buen "Plan your Camino...stick to what it offers" Camino,
Arn

 

[rickster]

Hello Rickster - and everyone else, would you mind telling us the name of the shops please, or even which shops are accesible by foot from the albergues? ? I also want to carry my pack to Spain as carry on - but don't want to be without poles
Thanks.
I have found this one online http://www.intersport.es/productos/outdoor/bastones but would prefer a shop I could walk to myself

Sorry for the delay. I saw first hand in Irun that you can get poles at intersport as mentioned earlier. Very easy to find and yes you will need it if you take the alpinist route to the very top on the way to San Pedro and the San Sebastián.

 

[tashgonewalkabout]

Sorry for the delay. I saw first hand in Irun that you can get poles at intersport as mentioned earlier. Very easy to find and yes you will need it if you take the alpinist route to the very top on the way to San Pedro and the San Sebastián.

Thanks Rickster, appreciate that. I have also found there is a Decathlon in Irun, so seems like I'll have more than enough variety to choose from (and many tempting hiking toys to not buy!)