Length of time from Irún to San Sebastián

[Peregrina 2013]

Dear Peregrinos,
What do you think would be the minimum amount of time you would allow from Irún to SS? After spending the night there, the first thing I have to do in Irún is go to the post office to mail a package before I can set foot on the Camino. My fear is that if I were to leave around 10:00 a.m. do you think I might run short on time?
I will be very grateful for any bit of help and suggestions you can give me. Thank you!

Ultreia!

Mary

 

[MikeJS]

Walked it in 6 hours last Sept inc a lovely lunch so you should be fine.

 

[Macsierra]

I did that Camino last summer and found that Irún San Sebastián was not as easy as I expected it for the first day of walking. I did it in 7hrs, but left the albergue at 7:30am.


Sarria - Santiago (2005)
Deva (Gijón) - Lourenzá (Lugo) [2011]
Irún - Santander (2012)
Santiago - Fisterra - Muxía - Fisterra (2013)

 

[Dave]

It's a tough walk... harder, I think, than the St Jean to Roncesvalles walk on the first day of the Frances. I guess it just depends upon what kind of shape you're in and particularly how well you respond to uphill/downhill. Do you want to have time to enjoy San Sebastian?

You might consider sleeping in Pasajes de San Juan. That would cut this walk down to 15km, which would be quite easy even if you couldn't leave Irun until 11am. Then, the next day you could either have a short walk into San Sebastian or a moderate walk to Orio.

The first 5-6 days of the Norte have a lot of up/down, so be careful with knees and ankles.

 

[Macsierra]

BTW, before going to Bilbao and after leaving Markina I'd advise you to sleep in Mendata. I stayed there with many pilgrims and they only charged us 7€. They also dried our clothes for free. I think this is the private albergue where we stayed http://www.mendata.es/es-ES/Turismo/Pag ... rtape.aspx


Sarria - Santiago (2005)
Deva (Gijón) - Lourenzá (Lugo) [2011]
Irún - Santander (2012)
Santiago - Fisterra - Muxía - Fisterra (2013)

 

[Tia Valeria]

A different angle to this question is 'What time does the Post Office open (and close) in Irun?'
We found places where they seemed to open at about 7.30 or 8.00 and then close at 14.00 for the rest of the day while others opened 10.00 - 16/17.00 or even later.

 

[Macsierra]

From Irún to Santoña 99% open at 16:00


Sarria - Santiago (2005)
Deva (Gijón) - Lourenzá (Lugo) [2011]
Irún - Santander (2012)
Santiago - Fisterra - Muxía - Fisterra (2013)

 

[Dave]

Ha! That is the question, isn't it TV?

Well, looks like the Correos in Irun opens at 8:30am on weekdays and 9:30am on Saturdays.

http://www.correos.es/comun/oficinasbuz ... talles.asp

 

[Macsierra]

Sorry about my previous message. I thought you're talking about albergues, not postal offices! In Spain most only open in the mornings and some closes at 20:00. http://Www.correos.es


Sarria - Santiago (2005)
Deva (Gijón) - Lourenzá (Lugo) [2011]
Irún - Santander (2012)
Santiago - Fisterra - Muxía - Fisterra (2013)

 

[Peregrina 2013]

MikeIan, Macsierra, Dave & Valerie, thank you for your valuable advise. MikeIan you must be a heck of a fast walker! Although 6-7 hours seems reasonable for that stretch. Macsierra & Dave, I don't mind going up, going down was a different story, tough on the knees, but now with hiking poles it is quite easier and no more knee problems.
San Sebastián is a city that I love; my family and I used to travel there in the summer; as a Spanish teacher I preferred to take my students there too, because it is culturally authentic, there isn´t the noise, the bars and discos that other popular beach areas (resorts for young tourists) have, so the kids could truly relax, go and shop, eat authentic pinxtos and enjoy their stay. Always shied away from touristy places like Torremolinos, Benalmádena, etc.
Spending the day in San Sebastián is definitely part of the plan, Dave . Wouldn´t miss it for anything! Macsierra thank you for the information on the albergue in Mendata. Valerie, thanks for bringing up the post office schedule. Now I know for sure it´s open early (Thanks for checking, Dave!) so it is reassuring to know that I can get going earlier!
You are all wonderful! Thanks so much!

Ultreia!,

Mary