Suggestions please

[Edward Dickinson]

Can someone please help me. 2 couples age 80 will be staying in Pamplona for a week in September. We would like to walk one full day on the trail, spend the night somewhere, and return to our car the next day at some point. what walk would you suggest to see the most beautiful scenery? Thank you

 

[grayland]

We assume you would drive to a starting point further along the camino route.

It would be helpful to know your level of fitness so that the terrain and elevation could be considered in the recommendations.
There are many repeat pilgrims here who are your age.

 

[Deleted member 43985]

Hi Edward - if you are looking for a nice walk and able to climb a moderately big hill where the descent is actually more challenging than the ascent, the natural suggestion would be from Pamplona up Alto del Perdon and down to Uterga (approx 17kms) or all the way to Puente la Reina (approx 24kms). Another nice day hike would be from Logrono to Navarette (approx 13kms). This route takes you on a beautiful walk out of Logrono to a park called Pantano de la Grajero and then through some very nice vineyards of La Rioja. Easy from any of these places to takes a taxi or bus back to Pamplona! Enjoy your time there.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Hi Edward - if you are looking for a nice walk and able to climb a moderately big hill where the descent is actually more challenging than the ascent, the natural suggestion would be from Pamplona up Alto del Perdon and down to Uterga (approx 17kms) or all the way to Puente la Reina (approx 24kms).

I have a suggestion if you are considering walking over the Alto Del Perdon. It may be easier doing it in reverse. I think the slopes would be easier going in the reverse way that the pilgrims do it (how about your opinion forum members?) If you think so too consider a raft trip around the mountain first and then do the walk back. The Hotel Jakue has a Pamplona to Puente de Reina trip. Their webpage (in Spanish) is http://www.chofert.com/detalle/pase...puente-la-reina-barcas-raft-rally-fotográfico and a Google translation is at https://translate.google.com/transl...aft-rally-fotogr%C3%A1fico&edit-text=&act=url I have not taken this raft trip.

You could take a taxi from Puente de Reina to closer to the Alto before hiking back to Pamplona.

 

[Deleted member 12253]

Can someone please help me. 2 couples age 80 will be staying in Pamplona for a week in September. We would like to walk one full day on the trail, spend the night somewhere, and return to our car the next day at some point. what walk would you suggest to see the most beautiful scenery? Thank you

I would start in Zuburi and walk into Pamplono. Lovely and easy

 

[Davey Boyd]

I have a suggestion if you are considering walking over the Alto Del Perdon. It may be easier doing it in reverse. I think the slopes would be easier going in the reverse way that the pilgrims do it (how about your opinion forum members?) If you think so too consider a raft trip around the mountain first and then do the walk back. The Hotel Jakue has a Pamplona to Puente de Reina trip. Their webpage (in Spanish) is http://www.chofert.com/detalle/pase...puente-la-reina-barcas-raft-rally-fotográfico and a Google translation is at https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=es&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http://www.chofert.com/detalle/paseo-fluvial-camino-de-santigo-pamplona-puente-la-reina-barcas-raft-rally-fotogr%C3%A1fico&edit-text=&act=url I have not taken this raft trip.

You could take a taxi from Puente de Reina to closer to the Alto before hiking back to Pamplona.

Hi Rick. I walked back from Finisterre to SJPdP last year. I found walking up the Alto del Perdon in reverse much worse than going down. It was just a relentless climb on loose rocks. I normally prefer climbing than descending, but not this time! Not a nice walk for 80 year old on a days walk I would say.

Davey

 

[grayland]

The OP did advise that they were two couples 80 years old.

I would think a stage with less elevation would be a more pleasant experience.

 

[mspath]

One pleasant 10km gentle walk would be to drive from Pamplona to Uterga and leave the car. Walk from Uterga to visit the splendid church at Eunate , http://santamariadeeunate.es/ ,
and follow the camino to Puente La Reina. Taxi back to Uterga to spend the night in a private room at the pleasant Albergue Camino del Perdon, http://www.caminodelperdon.es/

 

[naplesdon]

The stage from Puente la Reina to Estella is 22km and it's a reasonably flat course. The market day in Estella on Thursday (confirm that it hasn't changed) is very lively, most restaurants feature suckling pig for lunch that day. You could pick a spot closer to Estella like Maneru or Cirauqui to park your car and/or there is bus service in and out of Estella and Puente la Reina to Pamplona. Peunte la Reina is worthwhile visiting for a day and Eunate is only a few km's away, this route would also give you an opportunity to visit the wine fountain at Irache near Estella.

 

[Jeff Crawley]

I would start in Zuburi and walk into Pamplono. Lovely and easy

Lovely? Past the manganese plant?

 

[HedaP]

Lovely? Past the manganese plant?

Hmmm? I thought the manganese plant was interesting and just a very tiny part of that walk but then I thought every day's walk was lovely. Some days were harder than others. In fact some days were much harder than others but they were all lovely. And all different. I really enjoyed the walk from Zubiri to Pamplona but keep in mind that it is approx 20 kms which a fair distance. Another option might be Larrasoaña to Trinidad de Arre. It's a sub-set of the same route but the distance is approx 10 km.

 

[HedaP]

One pleasant 10km gentle walk would be to drive from Pamplona to Uterga and leave the car. Walk from Uterga to visit the splendid church at Eunate , http://santamariadeeunate.es/ ,
and follow the camino to Puente La Reina. Taxi back to Uterga to spend the night in a private room at the pleasant Albergue Camino del Perdon, http://www.caminodelperdon.es/

With apologies for double dipping, I agree that this too would be a beautiful walk. Puente la Reine is a fascinating town. Wish I'd spent more time there.

 

[WayWalker]

Just want to comment that I think it's wonderful that they would like to experience the camino in this way. My parents are early 80s and have loved following my husband and I over two Caminos. I have fantasized about how I could bring them on a section to have them experience it!

 

[GreatDane]

Lovely? Past the manganese plant?

So just don't look at it! I don't even remember it. I do though remember that steep crazy stairway along there somewhere.