Some booking questions.

[Causa-Mortis]

Hi there,
I'm starting in SJPDP on April 9 and hope to arrive in Santiago on May 14.
For the moment I only made 2 reservations (the arrivel day in SJPDP and the day after in Valcarlos).

Now I'm looking for some advice on where it is wise to do some bookings in advance.
Are there bottleneck towns or date I should know of?

Tx !!

 

[Anniesantiago]

I’d book Zubiri

 

[trecile]

Hi there,
I'm starting in SJPDP on April 9 and hope to arrive in Santiago on May 14.
For the moment I only made 2 reservations (the arrivel day in SJPDP and the day after in Valcarlos).

Now I'm looking for some advice on where it is wise to do some bookings in advance.
Are there bottleneck towns or date I should know of?

Tx !!

In the busier months Zubiri/Larrasoaña can be a choke point, and the last 100 km after Sarria are always busier than the rest of the way, but in April I think that you should probably be okay.

 

[jsalt]

What @Anniesantiago and @trecile said

 

[Ianinam]

This means you will arrive in Roncesvalles during the Easterweekend. This is a very busy weekend, as many Spanish people walk a few days during that weekend. If you are a fast walker - and coming from Valcarlos - you will probably have no problems as you will arrive quite early in the afternoon. Otherwise I'd advise you to also reservate a bed in Roncesvalles. See you there!

 

[jsalt]

The one time I stayed at Valcarlos I arrived in Roncesvalles the next day late morning – and I am a slow walker. Had refreshments in a completely empty bar – not a soul around - and then kept walking. Stayed at Viscarret that night – about 24kms from Valcarlos.

 

[Causa-Mortis]

Yeah, good point. So my reservation-list will be something like this :

Friday 10 april I stay at Roncesvalles
Saterday 11 april = Zubiri
Sunday 12 april = Pamplona (Easter)
Monday 13 april = Puenta La Reina (Easter Monday)

Tx for the advice and the answers !!

 

[Blintintin]

once i got my rhythm and knew distances i was capable of, i started booking 2-3 days out, if possible. I still had challenges particularly around festival days / holidays and in Sept2018 I bumped into them everywhere (Astorga, Burgos, Pamplona, Puente La Reina) so booking ahead helped. So do check the calendar, as others pointed out in Spain there are many fiestas and holiday, and Semana Santa will be busy. Other challenging spots were just because of the number of accomodation vs number of pilgrims in general terms for that town, so i'd book for SJPDP, ValCarlos, Zubiri, O'Cebreiro, even Santiago. Using Apps is helpful, but i often used the phone to call direct which enabled me to find lots of accommodation not apparent or available online.

 

[Anniesantiago]

The one time I stayed at Valcarlos I arrived in Roncesvalles the next day late morning – and I am a slow walker. Had refreshments in a completely empty bar – not a soul around - and then kept walking. Stayed at Viscarret that night – about 24kms from Valcarlos.

I need to walk that route sometime. In all these years I have never walked Valcarlos.