LIVE from the Camino Obanos Albergue

[Camper Annie]

Hi Everyone. We stopped at the Albergue in Obanos. It is clean, lots of beds, good hand washing clothes area, excellant shower water pressure. Only 8 Eu. 3 more for coffe and carb breakfast in morning. Only 8 people here. Too bad more pilgrims are not stopping.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Too bad more pilgrims are not stopping.

That is the fate of many "in between" albergues. Puente la Reina is on everyone's guide as an end stage. Obanos is less than an hour before it. Most pilgrims are in a rush to make Brierley happy.

On the other hand, for Pilgrims it is perfect. Hospitality. The right number of pilgrims. ATM. Restaurant. Bar. Market. Bus if you want to go back to Pamplona. Church. Additionally, it is a reasonably short walk to Eunate, so after a shower and laundry, you can take a day-walk to the church. Yours is the experience that many "old timers" suggest to get away from the crowds -- avoid the guidebook destination!!

 

[Rebekah Scott]

there are surprisingly few pilgrims on the Road this year. June was a disaster for many albergues. At least those east of O Cebreiro...

 

[Bradypus]

there are surprisingly few pilgrims on the Road this year. June was a disaster for many albergues. At least those east of O Cebreiro...

And yet the pilgrim office statistics for those receiving Compostelas continues to rise. Partly because more people are walking Caminos other than the Camino Frances, but mostly because the proportion who choose to walk a shorter Camino from places like Sarria continues to rise.

 

[NomadBoomer]

At the start of September last year when several spots got totally full and people were leaving before 6 in a bed race. I found it easy to get a good bed in the 'in between' spots. Plus you often get the chance to eat in less busy more local bars. The main disadvantage was that I saw a lot less at night of the people I knew so I went back to staying at the usual spots more often.
I don't want the albergue owners to suffer but I hope late August when I start again is a bit quieter than September last year

 

[Dancing Rain]

Hi Everyone. We stopped at the Alburgue in Obanos. It is clean, lots of beds, good hand washing clothes area, excellant shower water pressure. Only 8 Eu. 3 more for coffe and carb breakfast in morning. Only 8 people here. Too bad more pilgrims are not stopping.

We also enjoyed this Albergue in Sept 2015. Hardly anyone staying there. Had had a very precious visit to Eunate before arriving - and this place reflected our sense of a quiet deep connection to what is

 

[Micah26]

I will make a note. I leave for my 1st Camino 9/4. I enjoy the quiet more than the party. This sounds like a good place to spend the night. Thanks

 

[Camino2010]

there are surprisingly few pilgrims on the Road this year. June was a disaster for many albergues. At least those east of O Cebreiro...

What is it being attributed to, Rebekah? It's been a change for me to be on the Camino Portugués this year, fewer pilgrims than on the Francés!

 

[DebR]

Hi Everyone. We stopped at the Alburgue in Obanos. It is clean, lots of beds, good hand washing clothes area, excellant shower water pressure. Only 8 Eu. 3 more for coffe and carb breakfast in morning. Only 8 people here. Too bad more pilgrims are not stopping.

I’d say exactly the same thing about the Albergue at Muruzabal, one village before Obanos, where I stayed last year in May. Not busy, but new, clean, fabulous food and warm hospitality (and a pool!).
Skipping Brierley stage-ends is more or less my goal these days, and these places are why.

 

[twh]

I stayed overnight between Brierley stages 15 of 35 nights on the Camino Frances between May 13, 2018 and June 17, 2018. Every place I stayed appeared to be at 90% capacity or above and sometimes the first place I tried was full (completo). I like staying in the smaller towns. Don't assume you will find a bed just because you are "between" stages. If you know you will arrive later in the day, a call ahead to reserve is something to consider.

 

[Bodi]

I also stayed at the albergue in Obanos in September 2017. I believe it's called Albergue Atseden. Our host was so gracious and she provided a beautifully clean accommodation with everything you need. Had a lovely evening meal at the local bar. A Camino gem!

 

[MaryLynn]

I have also stayed at that albergue in Obaños two or three times. It is very well-run with a nice little courtyard off the dorm room - always clean and very friendly.

 

[RENSHAW]

I have stayed there a dozen times. Being a bit of a slow walker I am usually finished when I get to Obanos. I sleep there and then sleep at Puenta la Reina the next day - sort of a rest day. The albergue is great but perhaps for limited ablutions which can be a problem in many other albergues. The owner may sometimes seem a little aloof but he is not a bad chap - he has accommodated me in a separate snoring room many times . The same room he also makes available for families if he is not too busy. I seem to remember cooking facilities being only a microwave but there were utensils. All in all it certainly gets my nod of approval and the the owner is not greedy with his rate - he has been around for many years.