Camino del Norte - start in Saint Jean, Irun, or San Sebastian?

[PastorCat]

Hi all!

I'm walking the northern route in September (2015), and I'm trying to decide where to being the pilgrimage. I'm hoping to meet a few folks near the beginning - which leads me to shoot for Saint Jean. But because the northern route isn't typically walked from there, would I just be setting myself up for a solitary 2-day walk from Saint Jean to Irun?

Which leads to question 2.

All things considered, Los Angeles to San Sebastian is the most efficient airport to travel to. If I forgo Saint Jean, should I make my way to Irun to begin, or just start in San Sebastian?

Keeping in mind that I'd like to find friends along the way, which would be the better departure point.

Thanks in advance for your time and assistance.

Best,

~m

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Isn't the San Sebastian airport in Irun?

 

[deborah101]

Hi all!

I'm walking the northern route in September (2015), and I'm trying to decide where to being the pilgrimage. I'm hoping to meet a few folks near the beginning - which leads me to shoot for Saint Jean. But because the northern route isn't typically walked from there, would I just be setting myself up for a solitary 2-day walk from Saint Jean to Irun?

Which leads to question 2.

All things considered, Los Angeles to San Sebastian is the most efficient airport to travel to. If I forgo Saint Jean, should I make my way to Irun to begin, or just start in San Sebastian?

Keeping in mind that I'd like to find friends along the way, which would be the better departure point.

Thanks in advance for your time and assistance.

Best,

~m

Just start in Irun or San Sebastián. There will be plenty of people starting the Norte in both those places, and even from farther up the coast in France. The people who are starting in St. Jean Pied de Port will be walking a different route. You would meet them, then never see them again, except perhaps in Santiago, so IMHO there is no point in going to St. Jean if you are walking the Norte. If you are flying into San Sebastián, it isn't hard to get to Irun from there, so a starting point of Irun or San Sebastián is just a matter of your own preference. That first day walking from Irun will be a good introduction to the hills, . Buen Camino!

 

[tominrm]

I arrived at Santiago from Irun today - in 39 days.
The "traditional" starting point for del Norte is Irun. As someone pointed out the airport for San Sebastián is in Irun. Finding a "compatible" walking partner for the entire journey is a tricky one because everyone has different speed and budget etc. Just because two people have the same destination does not mean they are good companions. I hope you find one. I have been lucky to find a Spanish woman who walked with me all the way from Irun.
By the way, the first week on del Norte is physically challenging.

 

[jpflavin1]

I arrived at Santiago from Irun today - in 39 days.
The "traditional" starting point for del Norte is Irun. As someone pointed out the airport for San Sebastián is in Irun. Finding a "compatible" walking partner for the entire journey is a tricky one because everyone has different speed and budget etc. Just because two people have the same destination does not mean they are good companions. I hope you find one. I have been lucky to find a Spanish woman who walked with me all the way from Irun.
By the way, the first week on del Norte is physically challenging.

Tominrm:

Congrats on completing the Norte.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[jpflavin1]

Hi all!

I'm walking the northern route in September (2015), and I'm trying to decide where to being the pilgrimage. I'm hoping to meet a few folks near the beginning - which leads me to shoot for Saint Jean. But because the northern route isn't typically walked from there, would I just be setting myself up for a solitary 2-day walk from Saint Jean to Irun?

Which leads to question 2.

All things considered, Los Angeles to San Sebastian is the most efficient airport to travel to. If I forgo Saint Jean, should I make my way to Irun to begin, or just start in San Sebastian?

Keeping in mind that I'd like to find friends along the way, which would be the better departure point.

Thanks in advance for your time and assistance.

Best,

~m

Pastorcat:

I would start in either Irun or San Sebastian. Very few, if any walking the Norte, start in SJPdP.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[WandererJolie]

I'll be walking the Norte this summer, starting from SJPdP. Just feel it is right for me.
Whichever way you go, buen camino!

 

[MKalcolm M]

The first day of walking from Irun to San Sebastion is a lovely walk, and you can choose whether to climb to the top of the first major hill where the view is spectacular, or go around it if it is in cloud. Arriving in San Sebastion after a good days walking is a great feeling. The day gives you a varied combination of scenery, from mountain panoramas, coastal views and a pleasant short ferry ride from a very colourful little town. My first day from Irun is one of my favourite memories from the whole camino.

You will probably meet up with several different walkers who you will meet and re-meet many times, and some will settle into a camino family.

The Norte is a great route, have a great walk!

 

[jpflavin1]

I'll be walking the Norte this summer, starting from SJPdP. Just feel it is right for me.
Whichever way you go, buen camino!

Wandererjolie:

I am curious, what is the route you plan to walk from SJPdP to the Norte?

Joe

 

[KinkyOne]

Hi all!

I'm walking the northern route in September (2015), and I'm trying to decide where to being the pilgrimage. I'm hoping to meet a few folks near the beginning - which leads me to shoot for Saint Jean. But because the northern route isn't typically walked from there, would I just be setting myself up for a solitary 2-day walk from Saint Jean to Irun?

Which leads to question 2.

All things considered, Los Angeles to San Sebastian is the most efficient airport to travel to. If I forgo Saint Jean, should I make my way to Irun to begin, or just start in San Sebastian?

Keeping in mind that I'd like to find friends along the way, which would be the better departure point.

Thanks in advance for your time and assistance.

Best,

~m

Hi, PastorCat,

Well if you shoot for Camino family to get in SJPdP and then walk del Norte it's a loosing game. All those starting from SJPdP will walk Camino Frances. That's one thing.

The second is that (as @falcon269 already mentioned) San Sebastian airport is actually Irun airport. Only 3kms away, whereas Biarritz/Angelet is some 30kms away.

But if you really want to start in SJPdP (I can't even imagine a reason why if you would want to gain Camino family and then walk del Norte) take a look here:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/norte-in-july.30532/#post-309295

Ultreia!

 

[KinkyOne]

Wandererjolie:

I am curious, what is the route you plan to walk from SJPdP to the Norte?

Joe

I guess here's the answer:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/norte-in-july.30532/#post-309295

 

[mikevasey]

www.aucoeurduchemin.org/ These guys have the route with maps, places to stay on the above website, there is also the option of walking the 1st day of the Frances over the Pyrenees and going to Irun/Hendaye on a route on the other side.

 

[nalod]

I actually walked from St Jean to Irun in four days vis the amazing GR 10 which is a route along the stunning Pyrénées. It is not a Camino route it is high mountains, it is a tough walk on a very well marked paths, there are Gite de Etaps to stay in very rewarding. I have been told that there is an easier low level country road route.

This particular walk inpired me to walk the entire GR 10 a year later, the result can be seen on my website, http://www.caminogallery.com/gallery/?id=19&area=13

Dermot

 

[mikevasey]

Hi Dermot,, Great Photos, just a couple of questions about Gr10 from SJPDP to Irun, what is it like for steep drop off sections alongside the trail? Do you have to book the albergues in advance? Any pointers would be great.

 

[nalod]

Mike I done it in 2011 with a lovely Swiss companion that I meet in Cahors. None of us knew what we were doing. Up to then I never heard of the GR 10. I persuaded the local tourist office to copy the relevant pages of the Topo guide. I did not book anything in advance, but it is France the French always book so I think it would be good to book.
Get your hands on the French Topo guide it would be the Pyrénées Atlantique. In French but information essential and not hard to follow. The book is prob written West to East BUT IT IS NO PROBLEM ONLY THE TIMES WONT BE 100 PER CENT. The Topo guides will always give times between places instead of distances. Of the Pyrenées it is not the highest part, I cant remember exactly but there was no great problem, but it is still mountains.
As I said earlier I have been told of a new trail aimed at Pilgrims that is not high level, I believe the local tourist office have the details in French.
I now have walked about 9000km in four years and above anywhere else the Pyrénées steal my heart, they are worth the effort. Thank you for your nice comments re photographs.

The Pyrénées have a short window to walk in because of altitude and snow. Generally mid June to late September, also the Gites wont be open at other times.
Any more help I can give just pm me.
Dermot

 

[mspath]

...there is also the option of walking the 1st day of the Frances over the Pyrenees and going to Irun/Hendaye on a route on the other side.

Here is more regarding that option. For personal/non commercial use I have now abstracted and translated into English sections from the French site Liason Roncesvalles-Irun which describes walking in Spain from Roncesvalles to Irun using both local trails and in part the east-west Spanish GR11 trail. If you wish a copy of the above abstract/translation please write me via a Forum Conversation.

 

[PastorCat]

WOW - so much info! Thanks everyone for being so helpful. I am still working my route out in my head. I think the best advice is to start the north route in Irun. For others who find this thread and are curious about the route from SJ to Irun, I found this itinerary quite helpful:

http://www.espritduchemin.org/sites/default/files/downloads/St.Jean-Irun EN.pdf

 

[pablo.m]

Here is more regarding that option. For personal/non commercial use I have now abstracted and translated into English sections from the French site Liason Roncesvalles-Irun which describes walking in Spain from Roncesvalles to Irun using both local trails and in part the east-west Spanish GR11 trail. If you wish a copy of the above abstract/translation please write me via a Forum Conversation.

Hi there, not sure how to write via a Forum Conversation, but this sounds useful to me as I am looking at this route, starting next week
Don't know the area, only from having walked French Way from SJPDP a few years back, but doing the Norte & like the idea of starting at Roncesvalles, just because it's such amazing country - would appreciate any advice whatsoever

 

[pablo.m]

Hi there, not sure how to write via a Forum Conversation, but this sounds useful to me as I am looking at this route, starting next week
Keen for a copy
Don't know the area, only from having walked French Way from SJPDP a few years back, but doing the Norte & like the idea of starting at Roncesvalles, just because it's such amazing country - would appreciate any advice whatsoever

 

[pablo.m]

WOW - so much info! Thanks everyone for being so helpful. I am still working my route out in my head. I think the best advice is to start the north route in Irun. For others who find this thread and are curious about the route from SJ to Irun, I found this itinerary quite helpful:

http://www.espritduchemin.org/sites/default/files/downloads/St.Jean-Irun EN.pdf

that looks like me - nice link - cheers dude

 

[mspath]

Hi there, not sure how to write via a Forum Conversation, but this sounds useful to me as I am looking at this route, starting next week
Don't know the area, only from having walked French Way from SJPDP a few years back, but doing the Norte & like the idea of starting at Roncesvalles, just because it's such amazing country - would appreciate any advice whatsoever

The abstract/translation has been sent via email.

Happy planning!

MM

 

[Elenka]

The abstract/translation has been sent via email.

Happy planning!

MM

Just came across this thread; am planning to do same route. Would you still be willing to share?

 

[mspath]

Just came across this thread; am planning to do same route. Would you still be willing to share?

Yes I would. Please send me your email address in a Conversation and I will send it to you tomorrow.

 

[Thewanderingwombat14]

Here is more regarding that option. For personal/non commercial use I have now abstracted and translated into English sections from the French site Liason Roncesvalles-Irun which describes walking in Spain from Roncesvalles to Irun using both local trails and in part the east-west Spanish GR11 trail. If you wish a copy of the above abstract/translation please write me via a Forum Conversation.

I know this thread is quite old now but is there any chance this abstract is still available to get a copy of? Would be much appreciated! Cheer

 

[mspath]

I know this thread is quite old now but is there any chance this abstract is still available to get a copy of? Would be much appreciated! Cheer

No problem; I will send you more later today! Please send me your email aaddress via the Conversation modeso that I may send the full abstract to you.

 

[Iriebabel]

No problem; I will send you more later today! Please send me your email aaddress via the Conversation modeso that I may send the full abstract to you.

Is it possible to get this information also I will PM you with my email.
Thanks in advance