First Section :French Way

[pipmic]

Hi all,

Grateful for some advice. I am planning to walk the first stage of the French Way from JPdP to Pamplona and I was wondering whether anyone has an itinerary for this stage, including pensiones/hotels (not Albergues).also would like to know what is the route and the recommended number of days it should be done.

Thanks

 

[tyrrek]

Hi!

The main choice you have to make is between SJPP and Roncesvalles. You can either go over the hill or through the valley. It depends on the weather and your fitness.

Choices are:

SJPP - Roncesvalles - Zubiri - Pamplona (a very long first day, but only 3 days and scenic)...or...
SJPP - Orisson - Roncesvalles - Zubiri - Pamplona (you split the first stage but make sure you book the albergue in Orisson in advance. 4 days)...or...
SJPP - Valcarlos - Roncesvalles - Zubiri - Pamplona (4 days and easier than going over the hill but probably not quite as scenic or iconic.)...or...you can walk through Valcarlos to Roncesvalles in one day but it would be a long stage and leave a steep climb at the end of the day.

Where I say Zubiri you could replace it with Larrasoana, but Larrasoana doesn't seem to be the most popular place at the moment due to the lack of facilities and the quality of accommodation offered.

Buen Camino!

 

[SabsP]

Regarding Zubiri...
http://www.elpalodeavellano.com/
This place has an albergue part but also pension. Price bit more steep but a friend of mine spoke very positive about it.

 

[Olivares]

Try http://www.urcamino.com/

What time of the year are you going?

If you do have some time flexibility make sure you leave on a good weather day from SJPDP. The crossing is breathtaking....with good weather :wink:

A couple of tips:

1. Get bottle water and fruits at SJPDP.
2. Take your time going downhill (last 5Km into Zubiri); it could be worse on your body than going uphill.
3. Take pictures; a lot of people are so into the crossing that they forget to capture moments. I even video'd a huge sheep herd; the sounds of the bells in the video brings me back every time.
4. The best food at Zubiri is at: http://www.hostalgautxori.com/en_home.htm they are located a bit further down the road from the Albergue, but it is worth a stop. Great ambience.
5. Roncesvalles gets VERY cold at night.

 

[pipmic]

Thanks for the info, much appreciated.

 

[tyrrek]

Regarding Zubiri...
http://www.elpalodeavellano.com/
This place has an albergue part but also pension. Price bit more steep but a friend of mine spoke very positive about it.

Hi Sabine. Yes, I meant that Larrasoanna doesn't seem to be very popular. Zubiri is fine! Buen Camino!

 

[sillydoll]

JPdP to Pamplona and I was wondering whether anyone has an itinerary for this stage, including pensiones/hotels (not Albergues)

You could walk to Orisson and get a taxi back to St Jean - so you spend two nights there. The next day the taxi takes you back to Orisson and you walk to Roncesvalles. Try Casa Sabina - lovely inn with an excellent pilgrim menu at night.
Zubiri - el Palo de Avellano (The Hazel Stick - which people used to clean their teeth in the middle ages) is a lovely family owned albergue/hostal and their pilgrim menu is amazing. By staying there you will interact with other pilgrims who you've met on the road.
My favourite Pension in Pamplona is Pension Sarasate, just around the corner from the main square, Plaza del Castillo. The landlord - Jose Angel - is an angel!

Casa Sabina - http://www.casasabina.es/ casasabina@gmail.com
El Palo de Avellano http://www.elpalodeavellano.com/ info@elpalodeavellano.com
Pension Sarasate http://www.pensionsarasate.es/en/ pensionsarasate@gmail.com

 

[aghamore]

We walked St Jean to Roncesvalles,then to Larrasoana and then the 15 k into Pamplona.

If you want to stay in Roncesvalles,the Hotel Roncesvalles is attached to the Albergue but is definitely more up market without being expensive.We had a great,big apartment for less than 70 Euros with a big breakfast. Again,not cheap but wonderful ,is the Hotel Akerreta just past Larrasoana.Very welcoming and bang on the route.

Having had a drink in the bar in Zubiri,I would have settled for a place there had I not booked Akeretta. It's a modern,roadside place but looked better than I expected.