- Time of past OR future Camino
- First: Camino Francés 2002; most recent: Norte/Primitivo 2019
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Hi, I'm thinking of starting directly from Biarritz airport. Is that feasible? Do you know where is the first possibility to get a stamp on my credencial? Do I need to go in to Bayonne? I just have an idea to walk from beginning to end (Finisterre/Muxia) and not set foot in a vehicle until then - but we'll see.I love this path, it is my training route. No where in the world can you walk a cornice so close to the Atlantic and I don't agree with the comment about the proximity to automobile traffic. Anyone can easily start the Norte from Biarritz!
Look at Google Maps for the streets and roads out of the airport toward Irun. There may not be any yellow arrows until you get to Irun. It can be done. Stamps are less common in France than in Spain. In France they may be found in gites and mairies. Once you are in Spain, you can find stamps in bars and churches as well. As you walk along, just ask in the various commercial establishments. There is no need to go into Bayonne unless you are taking a train or bus.Hi, I'm thinking of starting directly from Biarritz airport. Is that feasible? Do you know where is the first possibility to get a stamp on my credencial? Do I need to go in to Bayonne? I just have an idea to walk from beginning to end (Finisterre/Muxia) and not set foot in a vehicle until then - but we'll see.
Hey Biarritz Don. Are you saying you like the stretch between Bayonne and Irun? If so, is it well marked?I love this path, it is my training route. No where in the world can you walk a cornice so close to the Atlantic and I don't agree with the comment about the proximity to automobile traffic. Anyone can easily start the Norte from Biarritz!
I love this path, it is my training route. No where in the world can you walk a cornice so close to the Atlantic and I don't agree with the comment about the proximity to automobile traffic. Anyone can easily start the Norte from Biarritz!
I live on the south side of Biarritz down the hill from Bidart. There is an albergue in Negresse near the Biarritz train station, they may stamp passports. I should have been clearer about walking from Bayonne. I do my training walks from my home to St. Jean de Luz and Hendaye and then take a bus home. It is about 20 km and while some of the walk is on pavement, it is a lovely route. I would advise taking a bus to Bidart from Bayonne to start thus avoiding lot of urban trekking. The bus to Bidart stops in Negresse near the albergue and for one euro you can ride a local bus for up to one hour, allowing you to get off and check for sellos at the albergue.
HiFYI, I stopped at the aforementioned albergue today and asked if they stamp pilgrims passport, the look I received answered it all. You'd think I'd just landed from Mars. In other words I don't think they have a stamp. It is a very nice looking place and close to a lake and not far from shops, the train station and bus lines.
I think I found it. Is it Aintziko Gazte Etxea, 8 rue Chiquito Cambo, 64200 Biarritz?I am having Internet connection issues today, I tried to look up the address and got shut down twice. It is signposted as Albergue de Jeunesse, if you arrive at the Biarritz Gare and walk north up the hill to a round about at a shopping area know as La Negresse, you take a left walk past the post office and walk along the road under a huge highway overpass with yellow arrows pointing your way to the albergue. Hope this helps, it is on line.
I had no problems walking from the airport to Bidart and then doing the coastal walk. The only disappointment was the grim Albergue I stayed in at Hendaye. It would have been better to go on to the Albergue at Irun. I might also have been tempted to get the ferry across the river from Hendaye and then walked along the coast on the Spanish side towards San Sebastian. Anyway I took the 'low' option on the first day rather than the alpinista way - the latter would have been much better with sea and inland views.I live on the south side of Biarritz down the hill from Bidart. There is an albergue in Negresse near the Biarritz train station, they may stamp passports. I should have been clearer about walking from Bayonne. I do my training walks from my home to St. Jean de Luz and Hendaye and then take a bus home. It is about 20 km and while some of the walk is on pavement, it is a lovely route. I would advise taking a bus to Bidart from Bayonne to start thus avoiding lot of urban trekking. The bus to Bidart stops in Negresse near the albergue and for one euro you can ride a local bus for up to one hour, allowing you to get off and check for sellos at the albergue.
UrrugneThe Gite Pelerin in Urrugne is unmanned. You can ring ahead and if the contacts are not on holidays then I would assume they come to open it for you. I don't have the number, but it could be on the French Basque's association website.
is the walk from bayonne to SJPDP a good idea, ? we want to walk a few days before the pyrenees . all advice appreciated , have not been any where near camino before. thanks pennyHi all,
I'm halfway through another summer of pilgrimage. Just finished walking the Via Francigena with one group of students and am now getting ready to return to the hordes and the Camino Frances with a second student group. In between, I had a few days in SW France, so I decided to try the Voie de la Cote. I had a day to go from Bayonne to Irun (around 40km), so this was speed-dating--not a long-term relationship by any means. I decided to stick exclusively with the waymarks, instead of pursuing route alternatives along the coast.
I confess that my views on the route are not especially positive. Probably 90% of the route is on asphalt, and that may be a generous estimate. As others have mentioned in this forum, views of the actual coast are preciously rare--perhaps you see it around 1-2% of the time. The only time you actually walk along the coast is in Bidart. There are some nice panoramas of the Pyrenees, so the route is not without scenery, but it might not be what you anticipate.
Bidart and St Jean de Luz are both pretty towns, and I thought the church in Urrugne was quite nice, so I'm glad to have passed through. But the route wasn't especially fun walking--indeed, you're often on roads with little if any shoulder and sufficient car traffic to make you uncomfortable.
For those worried about the first, stiff day out of Irun, you might consider starting in St Jean de Luz as a warm-up, as the walking is easy. Otherwise, though, if you want coastal beauty, I'd just start in Spain--or explore the coastal alternatives that would pull you from the Voie Littorale proper.
Dave
I live on the south side of Biarritz down the hill from Bidart. There is an albergue in Negresse near the Biarritz train station, they may stamp passports. I should have been clearer about walking from Bayonne. I do my training walks from my home to St. Jean de Luz and Hendaye and then take a bus home. It is about 20 km and while some of the walk is on pavement, it is a lovely route. I would advise taking a bus to Bidart from Bayonne to start thus avoiding lot of urban trekking. The bus to Bidart stops in Negresse near the albergue and for one euro you can ride a local bus for up to one hour, allowing you to get off and check for sellos at the albergue.
Good choice of a hotel in Biarritz, it is in a nice central location just a block away from the Marche with all the popular bars and restaurants.
I guess I'd wait and see what the weather is while you are there, walking around Biarritz is fun, lots to see, do and eat.
The walk down the coast is a lovely corniche with fabulous views on a clear day. You did not mention when you are walking but if it is a busy season rooms might be hard to find. Sorry, I do not know any hotels to recommend but there are a few which operate seasonally.
You'll really enjoy St. Jean de Luz and Hendaye. I'm not clear what you mean by your ferry comment?
The idea of taking a ferry from Hendaye is new concept for me but it sounds like fun. I have never been to Hondarribia but any Basque town on the Bay of Viscaya is a treasure. Make sure to try the chipiron, a grilled squid with oil and ground red peppers from Espelette. It is a local dish which I am glad the world has not discovered.
BTW, as my name belies I am from Biarritz but unfortunately I rented my apartment for the year of 2016, so I am bound to live in Florida and Spain this year.
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