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The albege in Deba, above the train station os modern, clean, has a clothes dryer that could dry everyonés clothes in 20 min ( be sure to share) and so,e loinging area, just ok. There is an albergue past that that helps break up the tough day after, but I have not stayed there. Santa Klara has a great reputation. Can go for the albergue part of it, or the B&B.Have been asked the following by two women aged a young 70 yrs;
They will be taking their time as Norte was walked previously with family , now for the sight seeing and a leisurely walk.
It will be June 2016.
Flight will land @ Biarritz,
They will commence from Hendaye.
1/ Accomm in Hondarribia , any suggestions ?
2/ Has anyone stayed overnight in either San Juan or San Pedro?
3/ San Sebastian is organised for a few nights as they have a son working there,
4/ Any ideas on Zumaya and surrounds ?
Anyone who has tasted the finer parts of this section and can assist will make my life a bit easier as the questions keep coming.
They love good food and a daily stroll
Hi, Thornley,
I can only answer one of those questions. Hondarribia is quite the touristy prettified town, there is no shortage of lovely accommodations, from a parador on down. Just take a quick look on booking and I'm sure you'll see a ton of options. I'm a sucker for those old stone buildings lovingly restored and decorated with flowerpots in every window, and Hondarribia has about a million of those.
The albege in Deba, above the train station os modern, clean, has a clothes dryer that could dry everyonés clothes in 20 min ( be sure to share) and so,e loinging area, just ok. There is an albergue past that that helps break up the tough day after, but I have not stayed there. Santa Klara has a great reputation. Can go for the albergue part of it, or the B&B.
Have slept in the albergue in San Juan. I know there is private accomodation in San Juan because I know some people who stayed there (they were directed there by the albergue owners, as the albergue was full). I vaguely remember it is a white house at the entrance of the village (not very helpful I know).
In Zumaia I particicularly liked the Albergue Convento San Jose Zumaia. Small rooms, nice courtyard/garden, quiet atmosphere.
Stayed in the albergue in San Juan in October. It was not full, but I guess in June it could be. We are all in 60s and 70s and were the first ones to arrive there. Most people walk on to San Sebastián in one day.
Also, we started our walk from Ciboure/St Jean de Luz. This is an excellent place to start as the food and views are wonderful. The walk into Irun along the coast was leisurely and quite beautiful.
If you take the other route you arrive in a hamlet with a little bar. The host made me a glorious slice of tuna with a tomato salad. She then served me a glass, my first!, of Flysch Txacoli. Txacoli being the local sparkling wine, Flusch being the name of the winery across the street that makes it. Now I know where the name came from. Ypu can opt for the detour when you climb up to a park/camping area with picnic tables and loos, if I'm not mistaken. There are signs that show the direction towards the GR, that is what you follow of you are up fo the longer walk. I had not eaten all day and thought I was about to collapse, especially simce my guide made no mention of the bar at the hamlet, hence why I will never forget that slice of tuna, tomato salad and Txacoli.Hi Thornley,
Before arriving in Deba there is an alternative way that descends to the beach. It is mentioned in some guides. It was one of the most beautiful parts of my Camino. The rocks are called "flysch" (I know, the spelling doesn't look spanish but that's what they're called); that is, stones and rocks that has been shaped by the movements of the oceans and so on. It was impressive. Although you have to pay this visit with som ups and downs to get back to Deba. The last part of this alternative was really hard and the signage is poor. It is also a bit longer than the original camino. I took the detour by coincidence: I simply made the wrong turn. (Bad pilgrim...) But I'm glad I did! :O)
/BP
If you take the other route you arrive in a hamlet with a little bar. The host made me a glorious slice of tuna with a tomato salad. She then served me a glass, my first!, of Flysch Txacoli. Txacoli being the local sparkling wine, Flusch being the name of the winery across the street that makes it. Now I know where the name came from. Ypu can opt for the detour when you climb up to a park/camping area with picnic tables and loos, if I'm not mistaken. There are signs that show the direction towards the GR, that is what you follow of you are up fo the longer walk. I had not eaten all day and thought I was about to collapse, especially simce my guide made no mention of the bar at the hamlet, hence why I will never forget that slice of tuna, tomato salad and Txacoli.
I was using a Spanish Guide, Editorial Buen Camino. Loved it because it was published just a month before I walked. The hamlet is called Elorriaga, and I need to clarify, while it is mentioned in the guide there is no mention of its bar. And this guide also does not mention the alternative route. Cicerone does mention the "tabarna" and the alternate route : " 7.6km, very scenic, following the GR121 red route signs. "Anemone & Thornley,
Okay, thanks for info. I'm doing the Norte for the 2nd time this summer (I hope) so I'll take the "normal" (non-flysch) way this time. Your guide didn't mention the hamlet = which guide did you have? I'm going to take the Eroski guide from the net, which is said to be updated frequently as times go by. But actually, this guide, that should be the most recent one, doesen't even mention the flysch alternative and it isn't inidicated on the maps.
The name "flysch" itself is really strange: spelling is not spanish nor basque (euskera). Perhaps some other pilgrim can shed some light upon this.
/BP
It's a geological term for a particular kind of sedimentary rock. Go to wikipedia for more information than you would ever need.The name "flysch" itself is really strange: spelling is not spanish nor basque (euskera). Perhaps some other pilgrim can shed some light upon this.
Yes, one of the most beautiful parts of the entire Camino el Norte!Hi Thornley,
Before arriving in Deba there is an alternative way that descends to the beach. It is mentioned in some guides. It was one of the most beautiful parts of my Camino. The rocks are called "flysch" (I know, the spelling doesn't look spanish but that's what they're called); that is, stones and rocks that has been shaped by the movements of the oceans and so on. It was impressive. Although you have to pay this visit with som ups and downs to get back to Deba. The last part of this alternative was really hard and the signage is poor. It is also a bit longer than the original camino. I took the detour by coincidence: I simply made the wrong turn. (Bad pilgrim...) But I'm glad I did! :O)
/BP
Yes, one of the most beautiful parts of the entire Camino el Norte!
Hi Thornley. We actually walked into St Jean Pied de Port, then caught the bus and train to St Jean de Luz. Decided against walking from St Palais to the coast as we wanted a few rest days on the coast before starting del Norte.
Had a wonderful time.
Hi, Thornley,
I can only answer one of those questions. Hondarribia is quite the touristy prettified town, there is no shortage of lovely accommodations, from a parador on down. Just take a quick look on booking and I'm sure you'll see a ton of options. I'm a sucker for those old stone buildings lovingly restored and decorated with flowerpots in every window, and Hondarribia has about a million of those.
I was using a Spanish Guide, Editorial Buen Camino. Loved it because it was published just a month before I walked. The hamlet is called Elorriaga, and I need to clarify, while it is mentioned in the guide there is no mention of its bar. And this guide also does not mention the alternative route. Cicerone does mention the "tabarna" and the alternate route : " 7.6km, very scenic, following the GR121 red route signs. "
I always use Eroski, but for albergues, distances and elevations. Not for directions. And not because I do not find it unrealiable but because I have gotten into the habit of buying a guide, taking pics of the pages I will walk, and then make notes in it.
Another recommendation is using the albergue in Olatz, 8km or so after Deba, to break up that difficult day's hike due to elevation and terrain.
Anemone & Thornley,
Okay, thanks for info. I'm doing the Norte for the 2nd time this summer (I hope) so I'll take the "normal" (non-flysch) way this time. Your guide didn't mention the hamlet = which guide did you have? I'm going to take the Eroski guide from the net, which is said to be updated frequently as times go by. But actually, this guide, that should be the most recent one, doesen't even mention the flysch alternative and it isn't inidicated on the maps.
The name "flysch" itself is really strange: spelling is not spanish nor basque (euskera). Perhaps some other pilgrim can shed some light upon this.
/BP
Have slept in the albergue in San Juan. I know there is private accomodation in San Juan because I know some people who stayed there (they were directed there by the albergue owners, as the albergue was full). I vaguely remember it is a white house at the entrance of the village (not very helpful I know).
In Zumaia I particicularly liked the Albergue Convento San Jose Zumaia. Small rooms, nice courtyard/garden, quiet atmosphere.
Hi Marc,
Any idea on Zambia to Deba ......... estimated time ??????.
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