Hello I'm Madeleine originally from the UK now living in the Bay Area of California.

[madeleinep]

I am planning to walk part of the French Camino from St Jean to Pamplona in April. My question is how is Easter week especially for the Albergues ? Are some of them closed for the week's celebration ? I'd love to experience Semana Santa in Spain, but if it presents issues with accommodation then I could walk the week after. Would appreciate some feedback.
Thanks, Madeleine

 

[Felipe]

No, albergues are not closed.
Yes, you can expect much more walkers, since Spaniards profit from the holiday and the Camino is a popular destination. And this holy week is in mid-April, with a conveniently warmer weather. But you never know, the flow of pilgrims is sometimes quite unpredictable.
I'd go anyway and make reservations in advance. Planning for just three or four days does not seem too much.

 

[madeleinep]

Thanks for your response. Reserving in advance is good idea. I didn't expect the Camino to be so popular in April, but of course it's a holiday so it makes sense .

 

[Vacajoe]

Municipal albuergues cannot be reserved in advance and generally are so bare bones that only pilgrims use them (not so much locals, families, tour-igrinos, etc). And though crowds may be heavy during the days before and after Easter, they are still not as crowded as the summer months when everyone has vacation. In short, walk when it’s best for you. Buen Camino!

 

[Glenshiro]

Dear Madeleine,
If you're only going for a few days (St Jean to Pamplona should take only three days, four if you break your first day at Orisson or Valcarlos)

I would definitely recommend booking ahead in any of the relatively cheap two-star hotels in, eg. Roncesvalles (or Burguete) for your first night in Spain then Zubiri (or Larrasoaña) and then Pamplona (lots of choice.)
www.booking.com will give you ideas. Don't be put off if they say that certain hotels are fully booked - that usually means they can't contact the owners in February! Contacting the hotels direct can be a good idea, but check their cancellation policies.

You've probably done it before, but, if you possibly can, take the Napoleon route from St Jean over to Roncesvalles, it's a wonderful experience and no real challenge for the reasonably fit. (I've done it twice, aged 64 and 65.)

Just don't forget to take the road down to Roncesvalles when you get to it, rather than the (steep and muddy) path down through the forest.

Have a great time!

 

[Felipe]

I'd add that the albergue of Roncesvalles accepts reservations. This is not usual for municipal or parish albergues, but it is true in this case.

 

[Jitterbug bender]

We will be arriving in Pamplona on Easter Saturday. Does anyone know if Decathalon will be open that day? Will shops be open so we can buy food for Sunday? I know a lot of restaurants close on Easter, so we want to be prepared,