Ferry to bypass Irun

Silvermomma · Jan 19, 2024

Starting in Biarritz late April. Any thoughts on skipping Irun and taking the ferry from Hendaye to Hondarribia? - how to get back on the path. Thanks!

peregrina2000 · Jan 19, 2024

Silvermomma said:
Any thoughts on skipping Irun and taking the ferry from Hendaye to Hondarribia? - how to get back on the path. Thanks!

I know that a fair number of forum members spend their first night in Hondarribia rather than Irún and start walking the next morning. Hondarribia is one of those very well preserved villages with stone houses and many flowerpots, it is touristy and pretty. It is adjacent to Irún, a very short bus ride or walk. Googlemaps tells me it is about 2.5 km from the Irún albergue to the Hondarribia parador, which is in the middle of the village.

This set of tracks shows how you could go directly from Hondarribia to the Norte. It’s only a few kms, maybe right at the ermita? Or you could easily get from Hondarribia to Irún and start there.

The coastal path from Biarritz to Irún is very very pretty, though, so if you have the time you would probably enjoy it a lot. Some pictures on these GPS tracks.

Dave · Jan 19, 2024

peregrina2000 said:
This set of tracks shows how you could go directly from Hondarribia to the Norte. It’s only a few kms, maybe right at the ermita? Or you could easily get from Hondarribia to Irún and start there.

It's waymarked, too. As you anticipate, the route drops you in right at the ermita. Not worth backtracking into Irún, unless you want the much more budget-friendly accommodation in the albergue for the evening.

Silvermomma · Jan 19, 2024

Thanks so much - starting in Biarritz - was thinking to walk Biarritz - St Jean de Luz - Hendaye, then ferry to Hondarribia. I hope that is still the coastal path you're talking about?

Silvermomma · Jan 19, 2024

Dave said:
It's waymarked, too. As you anticipate, the route drops you in right at the ermita. Not worth backtracking into Irún, unless you want the much more budget-friendly accommodation in the albergue for the evening.

DAVE! Huge fan of yours, and now I see in your book exactly what I was asking, LOL.

tjz · Jan 20, 2024

In 2022 we started our Norte in France and walked:

Biarritz Airport to Bayonne (lazy afternoon walk after arriving)
Bayonne to Guéthary (wonderful town to stay in)
Guéthary to Hondarribia (another wonderful town to stay in)
Hondarribia to San Sebastion
...

We took the ferry across the water at Hendaye - quick, cheap, and fun! We really enjoyed starting the Norte in France and the first two days are a lovely walk before the epic day heading to San Sebastion.

As mentioned above, if you are staying in Hondarribia, you can head right for the Norte from there without having to go through Irun. You'll find Gronze, Wise Pilgrim, @Dave 's book all show how to join the Norte from Hondarribia.

trecile · Jan 20, 2024

Silvermomma said:
Thanks so much - starting in Biarritz - was thinking to walk Biarritz - St Jean de Luz - Hendaye, then ferry to Hondarribia. I hope that is still the coastal path you're talking about?

That's exactly what I did last year.

Silvermomma · Jan 20, 2024

trecile said:
That's exactly what I did last year.

Thanks so much. Would you be able to share the next few stages you did? With all the ups and downs, I hope to stay under 22 k per day - not sure this is possible.

trecile · Jan 20, 2024

Silvermomma said:
Thanks so much. Would you be able to share the next few stages you did? With all the ups and downs, I hope to stay under 22 k per day - not sure this is possible.

Biarritz to St Jean de Luz	~22 km
St Jean de Luz to Hondarribia (coastal route)	17.6 km
Hondarribia to Pasajes de San Juan (high route)	14 km
Pasajes de San Juan to San Sebastián	8 km
San Sebastián to Getaria	26 km
Getaria to Ibiri Auzoa	22.6 km

Silvermomma · Jan 20, 2024

Yes, thanks. I'm wondering about what happens after SS. the 26 and the 22 km days. Maybe I'll be warmed up!

trecile · Jan 20, 2024

Silvermomma said:
Yes, thanks. I'm wondering about what happens after SS. the 26 and the 22 km days. Maybe I'll be warmed up!

I did the 26 km day to make the next, more difficult day shorter.

aidan macdhorcaidh · Jan 20, 2024

peregrina2000 said:
I know that a fair number of forum members spend their first night in Hondarribia rather than Irún and start walking the next morning. Hondarribia is one of those very well preserved villages with stone houses and many flowerpots, it is touristy and pretty. It is adjacent to Irún, a very short bus ride or walk. Googlemaps tells me it is about 2.5 km from the Irún albergue to the Hondarribia parador, which is in the middle of the village.

This set of tracks shows how you could go directly from Hondarribia to the Norte. It’s only a few kms, maybe right at the ermita? Or you could easily get from Hondarribia to Irún and start there.

The coastal path from Biarritz to Irún is very very pretty, though, so if you have the time you would probably enjoy it a lot. Some pictures on these GPS tracks.

Why would you want to skip Irun.....

Camineiro · Jan 20, 2024

aidan macdhorcaidh said:
Why would you want to skip Irun.....

Irun to my opinion is an ugly industrial town, while Hondarribia is a lovely medieval town with historical buildings.
And … Hondarribia has two very good icecream parlours which offer a variety of different tastes.

When coming from Biarritz/St. Jean de Luz stay on the coastal path until reaching Hendaye beach. Follow the beach until almost reaching the river. Then turn left into one of the paths between the hotels. You‘ll find the ferry jetty in the marina. The transfer from Hendaye to Hondarribia takes about 3-5 minutes. In 2019 the ticket was about 1,80-2,00 €.
It’s not a big boat, taking around 20-25 people only.

When you zoom into the map mentioned above by peregrina2000 you‘ll see the track of the ferry.

Ultreya

aidan macdhorcaidh · Jan 20, 2024

I thought Irun was lovely .... especially the municipal albergue....very relaxed and relaxing.

peregrina2000 · Jan 21, 2024

Camineiro said:
Irun to my opinion is an ugly industrial town,

I don’t think Irún has much industry, but it is a city without much of a historic center left, the result of some major Civil War battles fought there. I have always found the people to be friendly, the food good, and the accomodations just fine, both in the albergue and the private pensiones and hotels. Hondarribia has been the beneficiary of many millions of euros for beautification and it is a very nice place to stroll around (though some may call it disneyfied a bit), but if price is a factor, there is a huge difference between the two.

backpack45 · Jan 21, 2024

I though Irun was fine, too. We happened to be there on a weekend when it seemed all the residents were enjoying a leisurely walk along the streets of the center of town.

Gigipete · 2024-05-07T19:19:54+0200

please could anyone advise the current status of accomodation in albergues et al. We (couple) are starting on Wednesday next week. Thanks

jonbeau · 2024-05-08T11:26:50+0200

Hello everyone, I will have to work digitally about every other day from Irun to SdC (bringing an iPad). What are the wifi connections like along the entire route? What about the Primitivo? Thanks.

Todd Emerson · 2024-05-08T10:21:59+0200

I’m travelling to Irún today to start my Camino tomorrow morning - I’m flying to Biarritz getting in at 4pm, planning on catching the bus to Hendaye and walking to the pilgrims hostel from there...

Bradypus · 2024-05-08T17:00:16+0200

An article on the El Correo website reporting on very high occupancy rates at the albergue in Markina on the Camino del Norte. Full almost daily...

Ferry to bypass Irun

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