September 2019 - High road or low road?

[FallingUpward]

Hi all, after a few unavoidable delays I'm finally going make this dream a reality in Sept/Oct. I have always planned on doing the Camino Frances, probably because I fell in love with it through the movie. A wonderful twist of fate though, has a friend, someone I coached a couple years back, playing pro wheelchair basketball based in Bilbao. He should be arriving early September and I would love to catch up with him and spend a day or two watching the team training if the timing is right. My question, if I head to Bilbao, am I committed to the Camino del Norte or can I perhaps bus/train south to Pamplona or Burgos to reconnect with the Camino Frances? If so, is that just silly? I really love historic villages and was attracted to the plains and wheat fields in the movie but perhaps there's just as much to offer via the North. Any advice to someone spoilt for choice?

 

[Anamiri]

Bilbao to Burgos via bus is fast and cheap. Alsa bus was around 27 euro. Efficient and comfortable.

 

[FallingUpward]

Thanks Anamiri! I feel better already, knowing I have a choice.

 

[Jan_D]

It's super easy! Laburundesa bus company does about 8 trips per day Bilbao-Pamplona (and vice versa). The journey takes 2 hours. Here's the timetable

Not sure whether you were thinking of landing in Bilbao, and then starting the Frances after that? In this case the Pamplona option is definitely best, as you'll get to see the rolling landscapes of Navarra and Rioja.

If you want to start in Saint Jean Pied de Port, it's very easy to catch a bus from Pamplona over the Pyrenees. It's also easy to get from Bilbao to Bayonne (where the train connects to Saint Jean Pied de Port). Alsa, Pesa, and Flixbus do the route (normally takes just under 3 hours).

 

[FallingUpward]

It's super easy! Laburundesa bus company does about 8 trips per day Bilbao-Pamplona (and vice versa). The journey takes 2 hours. Here's the timetable

Not sure whether you were thinking of landing in Bilbao, and then starting the Frances after that? In this case the Pamplona option is definitely best, as you'll get to see the rolling landscapes of Navarra and Rioja.

If you want to start in Saint Jean Pied de Port, it's very easy to catch a bus from Pamplona over the Pyrenees. It's also easy to get from Bilbao to Bayonne (where the train connects to Saint Jean Pied de Port). Alsa, Pesa, and Flixbus do the route (normally takes just under 3 hours).

Jan, you're amazing. I obviously have lots of options! I did wonder if I could start in Saint Jean Pied de Port, sidetrack to see him then resume without missing much. Sounds like I can!
Lots to consider. I'm an Aussie so planning on coming in via Paris, to Bayonne and on to SJPdP. If I beat him to Spain I might start as planned and do a side trip. It seems quite doable! I'm excited! Cheers!

 

[jungleboy]

I did wonder if I could start in Saint Jean Pied de Port, sidetrack to see him then resume without missing much. Sounds like I can!

Personally, I wouldn’t do it this way - instead I would try to see your friend before starting your walk if possible. Being a pilgrim requires a different state of mind than being a traveller/visitor. It’s all-encompassing and not easy to just switch on and off. I think breaking up your walk would disrupt your flow and rhythm and you might find it hard to get out of the pilgrim mentality in Bilbao, and then back into it once you resume. Plus, once you resume, you would likely be off-sync with other pilgrims you may have connected with on the first part of your walk.

Just another thing to think about. Buen camino however you end up doing it.

 

[FallingUpward]

Personally, I wouldn’t do it this way - instead I would try to see your friend before starting your walk if possible. Being a pilgrim requires a different state of mind than being a traveller/visitor. It’s all-encompassing and not easy to just switch on and off. I think breaking up your walk would disrupt your flow and rhythm and you might find it hard to get out of the pilgrim mentality in Bilbao, and then back into it once you resume. Plus, once you resume, you would likely be off-sync with other pilgrims you may have connected with on the first part of your walk.

Just another thing to think about. Buen camino however you end up doing it.

You are right Nick. I would prefer to do the visit first but I don't have control over the dates. If he arrives when I do, I can do as you suggest. If he doesn't, I can begin. I just can't delay my trip because i have commitments in Oz in October. I will try not to force anything though. If it works, it works. If I'm uncomfortable taking the side trip, I'll skip it.
I think that's why I like hearing all the options. I don't have to decide now. Thanks for the advice!

 

[lt56ny]

If I were you I would also check Iberia. I got a flight on October 29rh
Madrid to Pamplona for $40US and another from SDC to
Madrid in December for $29US. I know it’s a different time frame but it doesn’t take long to check it out.

 

[FallingUpward]

All advice welcome! I'll check it out. Thanks!

 

[NorthernLight]

My advice is to do the walk you dreamed of doing, and step off the trail for your detour as and when the timing suits. It's just a part of your camino, to visit a friend and cheer him on in his life's journey.

Don't let the plans of new camino friends deter you. If they are to factor into your life, so too will the next batch of pilgrims you meet. The camino is not a static flow of the 'same same' people each day, it is a fluid river of humanity that we dip our toes into, and each day holds new possibilities.

Who knows, after detouring to Bilboa you may decide to just keep walking from there. Or you can bus back to the Frances, where you left it or at a point a couple days further down the road if you want to stay with a particular group.

Northern Spain has excellent bus coverage and distances are relatively small.

 

[FallingUpward]

My advice is to do the walk you dreamed of doing, and step off the trail for your detour as and when the timing suits. It's just a part of your camino, to visit a friend and cheer him on in his life's journey.

Don't let the plans of new camino friends deter you. If they are to factor into your life, so too will the next batch of pilgrims you meet. The camino is not a static flow of the 'same same' people each day, it is a fluid river of humanity that we dip our toes into, and each day holds new possibilities.

Who knows, after detouring to Bilboa you may decide to just keep walking from there. Or you can bus back to the Frances, where you left it or at a point a couple days further down the road if you want to stay with a particular group.

Northern Spain has excellent bus coverage and distances are relatively small.

I love your opening paragraph. You do seem to understand why I feel a dilemma. It's been a privilege working with him and should our paths happen to cross again in this way, it would be pretty incredible & I would see it as a gift.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

 

[owms2323]

Hi all, after a few unavoidable delays I'm finally going make this dream a reality in Sept/Oct. I have always planned on doing the Camino Frances, probably because I fell in love with it through the movie. A wonderful twist of fate though, has a friend, someone I coached a couple years back, playing pro wheelchair basketball based in Bilbao. He should be arriving early September and I would love to catch up with him and spend a day or two watching the team training if the timing is right. My question, if I head to Bilbao, am I committed to the Camino del Norte or can I perhaps bus/train south to Pamplona or Burgos to reconnect with the Camino Frances? If so, is that just silly? I really love historic villages and was attracted to the plains and wheat fields in the movie but perhaps there's just as much to offer via the North. Any advice to someone spoilt for choice?

You can take the bus from Bilbao to Bayonne and catch the train to St Jean Pied de Port.

 

[Hilarious]

Hi all, after a few unavoidable delays I'm finally going make this dream a reality in Sept/Oct. I have always planned on doing the Camino Frances, probably because I fell in love with it through the movie. A wonderful twist of fate though, has a friend, someone I coached a couple years back, playing pro wheelchair basketball based in Bilbao. He should be arriving early September and I would love to catch up with him and spend a day or two watching the team training if the timing is right. My question, if I head to Bilbao, am I committed to the Camino del Norte or can I perhaps bus/train south to Pamplona or Burgos to reconnect with the Camino Frances? If so, is that just silly? I really love historic villages and was attracted to the plains and wheat fields in the movie but perhaps there's just as much to offer via the North. Any advice to someone spoilt for choice?

Welcome to the forum Falling Upward. I can’t give you advice on transport as I start my first Camino from SJPdP in mid September. From Mackay in Queensland flying into Paris then train to Bayonne. 2 nights in Bayonne and 2 in SJPdP to recover from the journey. Who knows our paths may cross. Buen Camino!

 

[Anamiri]

I love your opening paragraph. You do seem to understand why I feel a dilemma. It's been a privilege working with him and should our paths happen to cross again in this way, it would be pretty incredible & I would see it as a gift.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

And Bilbao is different, with some interesting things like the Guggenheim.

 

[FallingUpward]

Welcome to the forum Falling Upward. I can’t give you advice on transport as I start my first Camino from SJPdP in mid September. From Mackay in Queensland flying into Paris then train to Bayonne. 2 nights in Bayonne and 2 in SJPdP to recover from the journey. Who knows our paths may cross. Buen Camino!

That would be very cool! I'm going to take a day or two to recover before starting too. I don't want to miss a thing.
Buen Camino!

 

[danielle aird]

Hi all, after a few unavoidable delays I'm finally going make this dream a reality in Sept/Oct. I have always planned on doing the Camino Frances, probably because I fell in love with it through the movie. A wonderful twist of fate though, has a friend, someone I coached a couple years back, playing pro wheelchair basketball based in Bilbao. He should be arriving early September and I would love to catch up with him and spend a day or two watching the team training if the timing is right. My question, if I head to Bilbao, am I committed to the Camino del Norte or can I perhaps bus/train south to Pamplona or Burgos to reconnect with the Camino Frances? If so, is that just silly? I really love historic villages and was attracted to the plains and wheat fields in the movie but perhaps there's just as much to offer via the North. Any advice to someone spoilt for choice?

There is a bus from Bilbao to Burgos and then to Pamplona if you want.