Starting Camino in Pamplona

[ElliotfromAus]

Hello Everyone,

Looks like I am going to be short a couple of days to do the entire Camino. Need to be in another part of Spain by a certain date. I have been thinking about starting in Pamplona and simply missing/skipping the first couple of days (normally starting in SJPDP). Curious to hear anyones thoughts on this or alternatives as I can only really spare 29 days for the walk.

Any suggestions or advice welcome. Thanks in advance.

Cheers.

 

[Robo]

You'll here lots of opinions....

From my point view.

The Plus. You'll be walking without missing sections, and will have the chance to stick with people you meet along the way. Skipping bits always leads to losing contact. That may or may not be important to you.

I walk so slowly, that I tend to drift apart from people after a few days anyway. Just means I meet up with new people

The Minus? Would I want to miss that first day or two? Personally No. It's not just that walk over the Mountains but the 'buzz' amongst the Pilgrims as they 'set out' from St Jean. By the time they get to Pamplona they are settled a bit more.

If it was me? And I had to miss a couple of sections. I'd skip a couple of days in the middle. I know it's great to experience all parts of the CF, but there are a couple of days just walking alongside roads that I could do with out.

Fromista to Carrion.
Maybe the next section to Terradillos. (though it's on Senda and Roman Road) I actually liked it.
Terradillos to El Burgo
to Mansila
to Leon.
And the next section to Mazarife maybe.

These are not all 'next to road' sections.

But that middle part, if you had to skip sections, is less appealing than the other parts. To me at least.

But of course, it all has appeal of one sort or another!

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

One thing to consider if you want to do the camino under your power but don't have enough time to walk the whole way is to rent a bicycle for a section of the meseta.

I've collected some links but I do not have any experience with these busnesses. You could also use this site's search function to check out bicycle bike rental.

http://www.bicigrino.info/tienda_virtual/en/
http://caminotravelcenter.com/
http://tournride.es
http://www.bikeiberia.com/rides/RidesMaster.html
https://bikenbabia.com/
http://www.cycling-rentals.com
http://www.recicleta.org/camino_santiago.html
​

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Pamplona is an excellent starting point; I have used it several times. Crossing the Pyrenees is a lot about bragging rights. It makes for a memorable first day, but if it were in week three, most pilgrims would barely notice it. Do what which feels comfortable, and do it without regrets. Buen camino.

 

[Robo]

One thing to consider if you want to do the camino under your power but don't have enough time to walk the whole way is to rent a bicycle for a section of the meseta.

I've collected some links but I do not have any experience with these busnesses. You could also use this site's search function to check out bicycle bike rental.

http://www.bicigrino.info/tienda_virtual/en/
http://caminotravelcenter.com/
http://tournride.es
http://www.bikeiberia.com/rides/RidesMaster.html
https://bikenbabia.com/
http://www.cycling-rentals.com
http://www.recicleta.org/camino_santiago.html
​

I'm just thinking if my dearly beloved struggles next year with the CF from St Jean. Biking 4 or 5 sections in the middle might give us a break. Where the Camino merely follows beside the road. We can ride on the road.

Is it possible to get bike rentals for say a 100 km section only? Would they deliver and pick up?

Anyone know?

 

[t2andreo]

Short answer about biking a section = yes. For example, you can rent a bike in Burgos or Leon and drop it in another city like Astorga or Ponferrada, or even Sarria, before Santiago.

Consult the biking the Camino sections of this forum for specific information and leads on firms to contact.

 

[Anemone del Camino]

I'm with Robo, that day out of SJPP is one of the most beautiful. My concern is that even kf you started in Pamplona you will still be rushed to finish in 29 days.

Is arriving in Santiago impostant to you? If not, you could end in Sarria and skip the industrial entrances and exits for Leon, or the entry into Burgos.

Or you could walk 29 days, and come back another time to fishis.

29 days and must walk into Santiago? Then perhpas start in Logrono and give yourself some wiggle room?

 

[hotelmedicis]

Go for it. Pamplona is a great town to start from. Otherwise, you could start in SJPP (or Roncesvalles) and then once in Burgos, just hop on the train to Leon, skipping the Meseta.

Just a thought!

 

[ElliotfromAus]

Thanks to everyone for their thoughts. I did not consider the biking option. I will have to think a few things through.

 

[Robo]

Short answer about biking a section = yes. For example, you can rent a bike in Burgos or Leon and drop it in another city like Astorga or Ponferrada, or even Sarria, before Santiago.

Consult the biking the Camino sections of this forum for specific information and leads on firms to contact.

Many thanks. Never thought one day I'd be looking up the Biking Section

Next I'll be staying in Albergues!

Really pushing the comfort zone ...........