First Camino

[Denis1]

I am planning my first Camino. I intended to walk the Norte but start In SJPDP and start in early September. But now I’m concerned about that starting date because of what I’ve read about the crowd during that time in SJPDP and beyond. I am seeking advice on a start date. I could start as early as mid August or as late as late September.

 

[trecile]

How are you planning to get to the Norte from SJPdP??

 

[K_Lynn]

September seems to be the peak for SJPdP Frances. The Norte should be fine, but how you get there from SJPdP should be a challenge.

 

[estorildon]

At which airport are you planning on arriving? For the Norte the suggestion would be EAS of BIO.

 

[Denis1]

How are you planning to get to the Norte from SJPdP??

Bus from Pamplona to San Sebastián

 

[Denis1]

At which airport are you planning on arriving? For the Norte the suggestion would be EAS of BIO.

My thought was to arr at MAD train to Pamplona and bus to sjpdp

 

[Rick M]

We are all confused. The Norte route starts in Irun. The Camino Frances starts in SJPP. These are two completely different Ways to Santiago, and any advice will be quite different depending upon which of the two routes you are planning to walk.

 

[Denis1]

We are all confused. The Norte route starts in Irun. The Camino Frances starts in SJPP. These are two completely different Ways to Santiago, and any advice will be quite different depending upon which of the two routes you are planning to walk.

Right. I am planning on walking the French route as far as Pamplona then bussing to San Sebastián to begin the Norte.

 

[Rick M]

Now I understand. Early September is the peak season for departures from SJPP. I would book accommodations in SJPP, Roncesvalles, Zubiri, and Pamplona well in advance. After that, the Norte is a much quieter walk, and not much in the way of planning is needed except around the cities on weekends. If you walk the norte in August, expect to pay a lot more as you are competing with holiday makers for places to stay. After August, it tapers off on the Norte.

 

[Denis1]

Now I understand. Early September is the peak season for departures from SJPP. I would book accommodations in SJPP, Roncesvalles, Zubiri, and Pamplona well in advance. After that, the Norte is a much quieter walk, and not much in the way of planning is needed except around the cities on weekends. If you walk the norte in August, expect to pay a lot more as you are competing with holiday makers for places to stay. After August, it tapers off on the Norte.

Thank you. When you say “well in advance“ does that mean right now, or in Apr, May, etc?

 

[Arctic_Alex]

Bus from Pamplona to San Sebastián

Would be cool to walk it … 3 days max I suppose. But would require some research as in paths/roads and accommodation …

 

[Rick M]

I would.

 

[Denis1]

I would.

Thanks. Does my plan of arriving at MAD, train to Pamplona and bus to SJPP sound sensible?

 

[Rick M]

Thanks. Does my plan of arriving at MAD, train to Pamplona and bus to SJPP sound sensible?

I does, but you have another choice. Fly to Paris, stay a day or two to get your clock straight, and take the train to SJPP from Paris. Don't be in too much hurry to get on the trail after your flight lands......rehydrate, pick up a SIM card, and adjust first.

 

[J Willhaus]

Depending on your train timing, you may not make the bus in Pamplona to SJPDP. There is one early train that leaves Madrid at 7:35 which arrives in time to make the connection to the bus. You may need to plan to spend the night in Madrid to catch an early train or Pamplona to catch a bus if your train connection is later in the day or take a cab from Pamplona to SJPDP if you don't want an extra overnight.

Why do you want to walk from SJPDP to Pamplona before starting the Norte?

 

[Denis1]

Depending on your train timing, you may not make the bus in Pamplona to SJPDP. There is one early train that leaves Madrid at 7:35 which arrives in time to make the connection to the bus. You may need to plan to spend the night in Madrid to catch an early train or Pamplona to catch a bus if your train connection is later in the day or take a cab from Pamplona to SJPDP if you don't want an extra overnight.

Why do you want to walk from SJPDP to Pamplona before starting the Norte?

A friend walked the french rte last year and when I said I wanted to do the Norte she encouraged me to start in sjpdp so could walk through the pyrenees which she said I would enjoy

 

[Denis1]

I does, but you have another choice. Fly to Paris, stay a day or two to get your clock straight, and take the train to SJPP from Paris. Don't be in too much hurry to get on the trail after your flight lands......rehydrate, pick up a SIM card, and adjust first.

Sounds reasonable except it’s one more language to navigate. But is the trip from paris to sjpdp easier than from Madrid?

 

[Rick M]

Sounds reasonable except it’s one more language to navigate. But is the trip from paris to sjpdp easier than from Madrid?

No, just different. Also depends where you are flying in from. I can get a straight shot to Paris, but have to fly to the East coast and change planes for Madrid. If you are flying from Chicago it's probably either way for you.

 

[trecile]

In May I will be walking from SJPdP to Pamplona with a small group of "newbie" pilgrims, then I am going to take a bus or train to Bayonne and start the Norte from there. I'll let you know how it goes!

 

[Denis1]

In May I will be walking from SJPdP to Pamplona with a small group of "newbie" pilgrims, then I am going to take a bus or train to Bayonne and start the Norte from there. I'll let you know how it goes!

Excellent. Please do keep me posted!