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Hi Elizabeth we are thinking of doing the same but a bit later have you any leads ad to where to obtsin guides and maps thorsHi,
I've read through lots of helpful posts, but am still unsure about how to plan my own journey. It's my first time doing a camino, although I've done quite a bit of walking before...Anyway, I'm hoping to start walking in May. just after the holiday! (is starting on the 4th late enough to avoid the holiday crowds?), and I'm really attracted by the camino aragones. So I was thinking to walk from Pau to Pamplona, and then continue on the camino frances- or travel from pamplona to oviedo and continue on the camino primitivo. I don't want to be stuck in crowds, but I don't want to be walking alone all the time either. Any tips of how to achieve this happy medium? Does this sound like a good plan- or a bit much for the first time walker??
Thanks!
Elizabeth
Hi Alan thankyou for this imput friend and I want to begin from Pau walking yo Pamplona on 11 MayHi Ememe
I walked from Pau last year beginning on 3rd of April. I joined the camino frances at Puenta la Reina and arrived in Compostela on 11th May, having averaged about 24 km each day. I enjoyed both the quietness of the Aragones [ and the GREENERY ] and the joy of company once we reached the more popular route. Each was different, but equally enjoyable.
I walked from Pau to Lescar beside sealed roads, and got my pilgrim passport from the tourist bureau there, where they were very helpful. If you follow the arrows on the route to Oloron Ste. Marie from Lescar, it is 32 km of steep and [ probably ] muddy going with no food or refreshment available. It is a tough introduction to the camino. From Oloron to Somport is more gentle, and I did the walk to Somport village on the most glorious spring day imaginable, surrounded by grand mountains covered in snow. If you wish to stay in the [very] old monastory in Serrance as I did you need to book by phone the evening before.
One of the attractions of starting at Pau was that it was 999.9 km from there to Finistere, so by the time I had gotten lost several [alright, many] times I had exceeded 1000 km on my trek. It helped make the 26 hour flight each way seem more worthwhile.
Please let me know if you would like any details of my itinerary.
Buen Camino
Alan
Hello ThoraHi Alan thankyou for this imput friend and I want to begin from Pau walking yo Pamplona on 11 May
I have been unable to find maps ot guide on internet what did you use?
Your itinerary for this section would be great if you could share
Also where did you stay?
I dont have sleeping bag so think the gites are not possible
What temperatures do you think we might expect?Rain?
Thank you
Thora
Hello Thora
Your question is a godsend as I have to have blood tests this morning and I have 2 hours to wait before that can happen. So instead of moping around and wishing I could have some breakfast, or at least a cup of tea, I can go way back in my camino memory to see just what I can remember.
I used an old Confraternity guide by Marigold Fox, but they have now published a newer edition which covers the route you are wishing to travel. It is a 2011 Guide to the Camino Arles, and is in the second booklet
"Toulouse to Puenta la Reina". [go to CSJ website, click on bookshop, click on pilgrim guides, click on guides to the roads through France].
My itinirary was as follows: Pau Airport to Lescar [Albergue, arranged through the tourist office], Oloron Sainte Marie [Albergue], Sarrance [Albergue in a VERY old monastary, has to be arranged by phone the night before], Somport [ this was 42 KM walk uphill, stayed at albergue/bar/restuarant Aysa], then stayed at albergues at Jaca, Arres [ my favourite albergue of them all!],Ruesta, Sanguesa, Monreal, and Puenta la Reina. Puenta la Reina is a little past Pamplona but you can see that city as you walk during the day and I imagine you could detour over to it if you wished.
I started in early April, and it was cool in the higher country with light frosts in the morning. As you are going in May, then logically it would be warmer, but only a fool would try to tell you exactly what the weather will be like. Likewise with rain - I experienced very litte, but winter rains had left the paths very muddy underfoot.
From Lescar to Somport was solitary - I met one pilgrim in Sarrance, and one in Somport. After Jaca, there was more company.
I hope this has given you something to mull over, and I am now 30 minutes closer to my blood tests!
Buen camino
Alan
Be brave. Life is joyous.
Alan-
Do you happen to know the names of the albergues in Arres and Sarrance?
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