why avoid San Fermin?
they tell you to avoid the city during the festival for many reasons, including:
a: the city is packed, even the albergues, even pilgrim accommodations. It's a complete madhouse.
b: The riotous merrymaking goes on for hours and days, there is no sleep to be had unless you, like everyone else around you, are
c: Trashed out of your mind on liquor or ecstasy. I understand San Fermin used to be a really good time, but a hooligan attitude is creeping in with the commercialization and influx of international party animals. So along with the pageantry and human pyramids and bulls, you have folks publicly puking and doing other excretory functions wherever they find themselves. Including/especially the parks.
d: Because there's no place to bed down, and the parks, doorways, and park benches are covered in passed-out party people, the security of your pack and belongings is a very real concern. I've never seen anyone running with the bulls with a full pack on..maybe you can be the first!
So while I pour on your parade, I'd recommend a day or so in Pamplona for the festival, but I think mixing it with walking the Camino isn't a great idea. I'd do one, or the other, but not both at the same time.
Unless you are the "extreme adventure" type.
Buen camino!
Rebekah