Monserrat to Azpietia, then the Camino del Norte

[musicianary]

Hello,
I'm planning to walk from Monserrat to Azpietia on the Camino Ignaciano, then connect to the northern route and on to Santiago De Compostela. I have 2 months to do the walk and plan to start from Monserrat on June 23 or 24. Any input on walking the Camino Ignaciano? And where I would be best to connect to the Northern Route? I'll probably take a bus from Barcelona to Monserrat on June 23rd and stay overnight in Monserrat, starting out early on June 24th. I've heard that pilgrims can stay free for one night in Monserrat. Does anyone know if that's correct and the contact info of where to stay?
Any recommendations on the best guide book or app that would cover both routes or should I buy two guides?
Thanks for your help!
Dave

 

[Vacajoe]

Three things:
1) no free stay at Montserrat, though they do have a low-cost albergue there. Great location to visit and worth it to spend the night.
2) if you plan to walk the Ignacio, start at the end point (Manresa) instead of one stage into it (Montserrat)! There’s a. Ice youth hostel there and the walk to Montserrat is beautiful!
3) The Ignacio starts/ends in Loyola. From there you are quite close to the coast and can simply continue walking to join the Norte route.

 

[musicianary]

Three things:
1) no free stay at Montserrat, though they do have a low-cost albergue there. Great location to visit and worth it to spend the night.
2) if you plan to walk the Ignacio, start at the end point (Manresa) instead of one stage into it (Montserrat)! There’s a. Ice youth hostel there and the walk to Montserrat is beautiful!
3) The Ignacio starts/ends in Loyola. From there you are quite close to the coast and can simply continue walking to join the Norte route.

Thank you so much for that advice!

 

[gollygolly]

Unless you have already looked at this site, here is a great resource to help you plan :

https://caminoignaciano.org/en/

although it seems that you are planning on walking the route 'in reverse'.

Buen Camino

 

[lindam]

Hello Dave,
I have just returned home after walking the Catalan and Aragones Camino routes (from Barcelona, to Montserrat and then via Huesca as far as Pamplona) followed by the Ignacian route back to Montserrat. There is now a new facility at Montserrat which will take reservations for pilgrims (with credencials). It offers dorm rooms with six beds and a wonderful fully equipped kitchen. You can call them at (+34) 93 877 7766 to make a reservation. The cost is 8 euros per night. It is possible to walk along a Camino route to Montserrat from Barcelona in two stages. Quite challenging, but I have done it twice now!