Starting places - Logrono?

[JonnyPee]

Here's something I'd be interested in hearing your views on.

We started our Camino from Logrono - it's an easy bus ride from Madrid, has a lively town square & excellent rioja, good refugio, good flat walking to start off etc. yet it is still a long, long way from Santiago (only about 7 days closer than SJPP). Therefore, I've always been keen on recommending Logrono as a sensible alternative starting point.

However, at the back of my mind, I've wondered what we missed by starting there and not back in SJPP. I guess some bonds had formed between those that came over the mountains & the views must have been good - but is it really worth going the extra distance & incurring the extra hassle???????

Buen Camino 2006 pilgrims.

 

[Minkey]

In my opinion, starting at St Jean makes the experience complete. You get to experience all the different landscapes of the Camino. When I started in St Jean, I walked in the clouds for a day, then only a few days later it was totally different.

I reckon it's worth the extra little bit of hassle to fly to Biarritz, get the bus and the train to St Jean.

 

[Kerryman]

is it really worth going the extra distance & incurring the extra hassle???????

Hi Jonny:
Yes it IS worth all that.
We also started in Logrono on our first Camino because we were uncertain about our capabilities.
But next time we started in SJPdP, and are thankful we did. It is not to be missed.

C.

 

[bjorgts]

Navarra!

To me, the answer of what you are missing is clear: Navarra. I have been walking the camino in parts over several years. One of the good experiences when I walked the Aragon route, was at the end caming back a second time to the "friendly" landscape of Navarra. I hope to be there a third time in 2007. Bjørg

 

[BarbaraB]

Oh yes, you miss wonderful things.
Although the first days from St Jean to Logrono were very hard for me physically, it was a great part of the camino. The Alto de Perdon after Cizur Menor alone was worth it. And Estella!

Although, I think I'll avoid Pamplona next time around. Didn't like that city at all.