Starting in Pamplona

[yvonne mccann]

Hi all. Just a quick one. I live in Ireland and only have 2 weeks this year and don't want to just do the last section as I plan to go back next year...and probably the year after....

My question is would it be strange to start in Pamplona. I would hope to get as far as Burgos... I have about 14 days of walking. It means I wont have the big finish in Santiago but I personally wouldnt feel I had 'earned' that if I started on the last leg.. (nothing wrong with that at all, I know people may only have a week or two ever in their whole lives so of course they want to finish in Santiago!).

Will there be many pilgrims doing this? Just portions of the route?

Thank you and Buen Camino!

Yvonn

 

[psheehan]

Hi Yvonn,

Lots of pilgrims do different sections of the Camino for various lengths of time... If you plan to go back next year and the year after then I would suggest you start in Saint Jean Pied de Port, those first few days before Pamplona in my opinion are great days walking. You could make it from SJPdP to Burgos in about 12 days...

Paul.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

Hi all. Just a quick one. I live in Ireland and only have 2 weeks this year and don't want to just do the last section as I plan to go back next year...and probably the year after....

My question is would it be strange to start in Pamplona. I would hope to get as far as Burgos... I have about 14 days of walking. It means I wont have the big finish in Santiago but I personally wouldnt feel I had 'earned' that if I started on the last leg.. (nothing wrong with that at all, I know people may only have a week or two ever in their whole lives so of course they want to finish in Santiago!).

Will there be many pilgrims doing this? Just portions of the route?

Thank you and Buen Camino!

Yvonn

Hi Ivonn , there are pilgrims walking every year a part of the Camino . When you don't have the time to do this in one year you do stages in several years .
Wish you well and a Buen Camino , Peter .

 

[andonius]

Walking the Camino in sections is very usual for Spanish people. In my case, my wife and myself have been doing so for three consecutive years (8-9 days each year in easter weeks) and we expect to finish in Santiago next year. Our first leg was Pamplona to Burgos ; the second was Burgos to Leon; this year we made Leon to Sarria and next year we hope to arrive to Santiago and continue to Finisterre.
It's a very convenient way to complete the Camino when you don't have a full month to walk...

 

[LauraK]

Pamplona is a popular starting point for pilgrims so it will not be strange at all. You will probably meet other pilgrims beginning their camino in Pamplona along with you. It is not unusual for people to walk stages over several years as many people are unable to take a month or more off of work and away from personal commitments. The walk from Pamplona to Burgos is beautiful! Can I be the first to wish you a Buen Camino?!

 

[yvonne mccann]

Hi Yvonn,

Lots of pilgrims do different sections of the Camino for various lengths of time... If you plan to go back next year and the year after then I would suggest you start in Saint Jean Pied de Port, those first few days before Pamplona in my opinion are great days walking. You could make it from SJPdP to Burgos in about 12 days...

Paul.

Paul, I am flying into Bilboa and catching a bus to Pamplona. I was told the first leg from SJPDP is quite tough? I am physically fairly fit but as my camino came to me suddenly I havent been training too much Not sure I'd be able for it.... Plus would it be possible to catch a bus to SJPDP? Thanks so much for reply xx

 

[peregrina2000]

Paul, I am flying into Bilboa and catching a bus to Pamplona. I was told the first leg from SJPDP is quite tough? I am physically fairly fit but as my camino came to me suddenly I havent been training too much Not sure I'd be able for it.... Plus would it be possible to catch a bus to SJPDP? Thanks so much for reply xx

Hi, Yvonne, There are Alsa buses from Pamplona to SJPP during the summer months (dates seem to change each year) and Semana Santa. There's a lot of disagreement about starting from SJPP. Many love it, but many caution that it's a bad way for an untrained person to start the camino. Not sure if these numbers mean anything to you, but there is 1200 m (about 3500 ft) of elevation gain over a distance of about 20 kms (11-12 miles), followed by a sharp descent of about 400 m (1200 ft) over a very few kms. I can only say that I've walked it several times and if the weather cooperates, it is a gorgeous day (or two, if you stop to break it up at Orisson). Buen camino, Laurie

 

[Mark Lee]

Paul, I am flying into Bilboa and catching a bus to Pamplona. I was told the first leg from SJPDP is quite tough? I am physically fairly fit but as my camino came to me suddenly I havent been training too much Not sure I'd be able for it.... Plus would it be possible to catch a bus to SJPDP? Thanks so much for reply xx

No worries. If you are in fairly decent shape and stay hydrated and bring some snacks that first stretch from SJPdP to Roncesvalles is not that difficult. Requires no mountaineering skills, or much training. I've walked it twice with no prior training, as do dozens of people everyday during the Camino season.
Its difficulty level tends to get embellished.

 

[William Marques]

These are some of the main starting points last year - of course there are many more but as you see people start at many towns along the route.
2014
SJPP 29,345 21%
Roncevalles 7,847 6%
Pamplona 4,573 3%
Burgos 3,738 3%
Leon 11,410 8%
Astorga 5,809 4%
Ponferrada 7,979 6%
Villafranca 2,555 2%
O Cebreiro 10,260 7%
Sarria 58,553 41%
Total 142,069

The SJPP start is a recent phenomenon, it is only in the last 10 years that it has overtaken Roncesvalles as the main start of a "long" Camino.

If Pamplona is where you choose to start there is still a big hill (small mountain) to cross on the first day.

 

[Lydia Gillen]

Pamplona is a good place to start. esp if you want to avoid the uphill and the downhill of the Pyrenees. In my opinion the downhill is actually harder.
You get the greenbus A3247 from the airport to Bilbao Bus station. the busstop is to your right as you come out of arrivals. It takes about 30 minutes and comes every half hour. Can't remember if is is on the hour and half hour or on the quarter hours, but the timetable is written up.

You can book your www.alsa.es bus ticket on line if you like. On weekdays there is one at 13.oo and 15,30 and 18.00 and 20.30/ The bus line is La Union www.autobuseslaunion.com.

The walk up Alto del Perdon is steep and I would advise taking a very short day on the first day and staying in Cizur Minor. You can book into Alb Roncal. Madam Roncal likes a confirming phone call. I actually emailed her from home the morning I was leaving.

This year I went from Pamplona to Burgos and it is a really nice two weeks. If you have time to spare Burgos is a fabulous city. If you have not booked your bus ticket for coming back to an airport I suggest you do it the night before rather than wait for the morning you are travelling, as sometimes queues at bus stations can be slow with many people not speaking Spanish and being very slow.

Some one just come in expecting a meal.!! I will post again later.

Buen Camino,

 

[Cailin O Eire]

I

Paul, I am flying into Bilboa and catching a bus to Pamplona. I was told the first leg from SJPDP is quite tough? I am physically fairly fit but as my camino came to me suddenly I havent been training too much Not sure I'd be able for it.... Plus would it be possible to catch a bus to SJPDP? Thanks so much for reply xx

I did St JPDeP to Estella this June and wouldn't have done much walking (none) I play football and relied on my fitness from that, I survived those first days and if you are in decent shape you will too, I seen young and old, all shapes and sizes start off that first day to cross the Pyrennes, take your time, take plenty of rests, take your shoes and socks off each time you rest, if you feel anything rubbing apply a compeed, it's better to prevent!, coat your feet in Vaseline before putting on your socks it stops friction, if your like me and the sun scalds you, leave at 6/6:30 get most of the walk done before the intense heat. Just Do It as the Nike ad goes!! Enjoy and Buen Camino
Rita

 

[wayfarer]

Welcome Yvonne, you can start your Camino anywhere you wish, as William said starting from St Jean is a relatively new phenomenon. In 2012 we met a man who had taken eight years to reach Santiago, granted he had walked from his home in Germany and used his holidays to walk. I would use "Gloves in a bottle" over vaseline as it dries quickly to a silky finish on your feet and will not mess up your socks, its great for preventing hot spots and blisters.
Whatever you decide Buen Camino.

 

[KiwiNomad06]

I started the Spanish part of my walk in Pamplona in 2012 and loved it as a beginning point. I had some relaxed time- with un-tired feet!- to have a look around part of Pamplona the afternoon before. Then next morning it was out into the beautiful landscape heading up to Alto del Perdon. I took some shorter days getting back into it, and stopped at some of the places 'between' the main towns, eg I went only as far as Uterga the first night.
Margaret