I am excited to begin my first Camino this summer (2024). I am locked in to my time period and will be headed out of St Jean on the morning of July 4th. That puts me arriving in Pamplona on the afternoon of July 6th which is the beginning and most popular part of the festival. My concern is where to stay. Obviously I don’t need to stay in the city but the surrounding areas are booked up and/or are charging way more than I can afford. I believe many of the Albergues are not even open during that time. Any advice of where to stay or a schedule that puts me further from the city? Any advice from people who may have walked during the same period in 2023 would be much appreciated.
While I did not walk in 2023, I know the terrain quite well, and also the time period you specify. You have very helpful replies above.
If you plan to leave Roncesvalles on 5th, after beginning in SJPdP on 4th, it is about 34km to Zabaldika, which could be heavily queued by the time you might arrive, depending on the length of your stride, plus another 3km more or less to Trinidad de Arre, the traditional albergue which
@CarolamS recommends. That albergue, currently (unless there has been a change) operated by a very nice hospitalero, is a highlight of the section. I visited the other albergue in Villava, and while functional, with around 50 beds, bookable, I would much prefer the traditional one which is also bookable, there is a facebook presence.
From there, 5km remain to Pamplona. An early passing through will let you do just that - pass through. More than good enough if your interest is camino, and not the festivities!
Another option, a few km more instead of stopping in Roncesvalles, is to aim for Espinal, and that would allow a shorter walk on 5th. I concur with
@DoughnutANZ that Zabaldika is special. (Here, in line with modern standards of transparency and compliance, I must declare I have a vested interest in it!)
Buen camino
