Tracey Bartlett
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- May 2018
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Questions like that are difficult to get a single type answer from members of this forum because of the wide range of ages and physical conditions of the members. Some look at that long a walk on the first day as almost unthinkable whilst others see it as simply a good way to dodge the pilgrim crowd at Roncesvalles.
I cannot say if it is too far for you....
Wondering however if our first walk from St Jean Pied de port to Espinal is too far.
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Not really; it is as close as any accommodations in Espinal.Have booked the irugolence Albergue and just checked, your document says it is off the Camino.
I've taken the same path twice and loved it both times.Another option is SJPP to Valcarlos, then Valcarlos to Espinal. I did that same sequence and found it enjoyable. First day was relatively easy & nice dinners in both towns. Don’t know what I missed on the Napoleon route, but the low route traveled along the path of a mountain river for much of its way and had plenty of scenic climbing. I passed through Roncavalles before noon time when it was eerily quiet. I’d take the same path if I walked the CF again.
Thank you for your reply. I thought I might be being a little too keen for our first day. I will change our booking.Hi Tracey,
It's certainly further than I'd want to go on day one of a Camino and while it's only a little over 30km the massive changes in elevation make it feel like well over 40km.
Is there any particular reason you're wanting to go so far? If not I'd caution against such a tough start, it's a lot easier to make up time and have long days a week or so in to your walk when you're battle hardened. If you have the confidence to contemplate walking to Espinal I would suggest that you're probably (given an early start) going to be at Roncesvalles in time to not have to worry about getting beds.
As for the location of the albergue, it's a very small village, so you wouldn't be too far away from the path.
Sorry to be negative, I'm usually all for pushing oneself but certainly for me this would be a bit too much for day 1.
Buen Camino,
Rob.
If you get to Roncesvalles, and decide you need to stop -- for whatever reason -- you can always taxi to Espinal. Then in the morning, if you wish to continue walking from Roncesvalles, take a taxi back to Roncesvalles.
'Too far' is a personal thing and depends on your preferences and stamina. SJPdP to Espinal is about 32 km and was my first stage into Spain. I was in good shape by then and thought it was very doable. The reason I walked past Roncesvalles was because at that moment I couldn't handle the crowds there and opted for a quieter hostel in Espinal (Haizea).
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Thank you my train of thought was I wanted to beat the crowds. Fairly fit but want to enjoy my Camino, only done 20km with pack to date so might revisit this .Thank
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Thank you Kirkie,I think my daughter and I would have mentally and physically pushed on and eventually got there. I still do triathlons and some distance trail runs. But, then I remembered one of the reasons I decided to do my Camino was to "Stop and take time to smell the roses". Us runners get too addicted to that adrenalin high. Mind you after reading a lot of these blogs it sounds to me like there might be quite a few" Camino Junkies"
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