Chris’s Camino

Camino Francés April and May 2025 Read more

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Trip start
April 10, 2025
Chris’s Camino Traveler
Saint Jean Pie de Port
April 10, 2025 in France ⋅ ⛅ 21 °C
First night (before beginning my walk) is at SJPdP, staying at Gite Beilari. The owners prepare a yummy 4 course dinner and encourage pilgrims. I am staying on top bunk. 3 dudes in my room. Earplugs hopefully help.Read more
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
SJPdP time to start walking!
April 11, 2025 in France ⋅ ⛅ 14 °C
Ok it’s finally time! I’ve been thinking of this for a long time. This morning I was awoken by “angels” singing (the gite plays some mellow choir music at 7 to get all the pilgrims up)

Forecast for today is perfect (I like some cloud cover) and no rain. But it is currently foggy. So my walk around the citadel on top of the town was misty and cool. I am stalling a bit, because first day is short 11km.

Here are some pics from town and citadel.Read more
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
1
I made it! Up the first hill to Borda
April 11, 2025 in France ⋅ ⛅ 19 °C
That was tough. Lots of uphill. About 2500’ gain today. This place is nice! Dorms but all new. And quite a view.

Some people do twice as far on the first day. But for me, this was a good start. Plenty.Read more
TravelerWhat a gorgeous walk! You look great in all of your gear.😊2600 is a lot in one day! Great job! Are there a lot of others out walking?
4/11/25Reply
Traveler Lunch! At orisson. Almost to Borda.
4/11/25Reply
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
Route Napoleon
April 12, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
Made it to 3500 feet. Still several hours to go today. But it should flatten out a little more no rain forecast so that’s good. The wind is pretty severe.
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
Very close to the top!
April 12, 2025 in France ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
Little snack truck down below where I got a banana and some cheese that the man had made he says. I thought it was pretty tasty. I sure am hoping I’m close to the top now. Kind of a cool forest here the leaves have not popped on the trees yet, but they’re bark is gnarly and cool And there are some horses that seem to have free room of these mountains, but they don’t come to visit the pilgrimsRead more
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
Closer yet, to the top
April 12, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☀️ 11 °C
I thought I was very close to the top, but no, it was much more uphill. How much more appeal can I take! I love flat! Oh, check it out, my first Redwood trees! they just showed up very close to the Spain borderRead more
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
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I made it to the top of the pass/Spain!
April 12, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
Not gonna lie, that was kind of hard for me. Those uphills are rough on the hips and the legs and the lungs and the heart.

Feet are feeling good though, see photo number two
Traveler You did it!🎉
4/12/25Reply
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
Downhill into Roncesvalles
April 12, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 13 °C
Long downhill into Roncesvalles. I was quite tired of all the uphill hiking. Then soon learned than a long downhill was also rough. I think maybe I will be getting into better shape so these won’t bother me as much in another week or two.Read more
TravelerSo pretty! Are you usually walking by yourself?
4/13/25Reply
TravelerLots of walking solo. But also with new friends along the way. So maybe 50/50 today
4/13/25Reply
You got this Chris! [Nancy Gritz]
4/13/25Reply
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
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Staying in Roncesvalles
April 12, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌩️ 15 °C
Staying at the old monastery here. Built in the 1200’s!! But it’s new here in my floor. I’m with 40 others here. Should be noisy either way snoring tonight! And added bonus big thunder and lightning.

Had some trout at the restaurant next door. Meh. Pretty cool to be in an 800 year old building for the night.Read more
Traveler Those are many beds! 😮
4/13/25Reply
TravelerWere you able to sleep much? Have you met lots of nice people?
4/13/25Reply
TravelerMeh sleep. Yea lots of nice people!
4/13/25Reply
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
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Roncesvalles - 13th century monastery!
April 12, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
I made it down from the pass. That was a long day for me! Some folks came all the way from sjpdp to here. That would be nuts! My legs would fall off !

This monastery is converted to an albergue. I’m on the 3rd floor. With about 40 others. Apparently it holds 250 pilgrims! Should be some interesting snoring orchestra tonight.

Showered and did my laundry by hand. But they had a cool “spinner”. Hopefully it will dry soon on the line. I think they may serve trout for dinner. This is close towhere Hemingway used to do his fly fishing a long long time ago.Read more
Traveler I was expecting wooden bunk beds! Was the bed comfortable? Looks pretty nice.
4/13/25Reply
TravelerYes comfortable. I think there are bunk beds on other floors. But 3rd floor was newer. It also leaks during storms…. But you get the bed they assign. No changes.
4/15/25Reply
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
Burgette
April 13, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
What a cute town! Very nice matching architecture on the buildings. I had my very first coffee con Leche, which I have been hearing about for a couple years. It was tasty.

First time leaving my polls at a café and walking more than a couple hundred meters away. So now I have to backtrack. That’ll teach me.Read more
TravelerOh no!
4/13/25Reply
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
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Espinal area
April 13, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 10 °C
Saw some gorgeous wooded areas. Some working farm dog meeting working human support dog at baby donkey area. Climbed over a creek on these concrete raised pylon thing. Also took a couple wrong turns today. Worst one cost me an extra half km, so not TOO badRead more
Traveler Nice! Looks fun walk across
4/13/25Reply
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
Into Zubiri
April 13, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 12 °C
This was my longest day walking so far in my life. My Fitbit says 29km, but the guide says it wasn’t that long. 39,000 steps! How There were a couple missteps that caused extra distance. But it doesn’t really add up.

Walking time 8.5 HOURS (cuz I’m slow) but that does include a bunch of breaks.

On the last bit, there is a more dangerous stretch resembling dragons teeth, formed by flysch (look it up, rock layers that are pretty crazy looking and a bit tough to walk on.) Also some slippery mud.

Made it to Casa Suseia albergue where she served a delicious dinner.Read more
This is so cool! I am going to share with my Dad! He would have loved to have done this adventure! [Nancy Gritz]
4/13/25Reply
TravelerBravoooo! 👏 Well done 👍 The food looks yummie.
4/14/25Reply
TravelerGreat job! 29 km is more than I have ever walked too. I hope you aren’t too sore tomorrow!
4/15/25Reply
TravelerHi! This was from two days ago, and yes, my legs are a bit sore. But I’ve been more sore than this so I’m surviving fine.
4/15/25Reply
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
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Casa Suseia - Leaving Zubiri
April 14, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 7 °C
Today I have a shorter day planned. It’s gonna be nice on my sore legs. Only 16 km. To a little town or suburb of Pamplona called Trinidad de Arre. There’s a app I’m using called Wyze Pilgrim, which is awesome. It has a map and it also has a profile view with the exaggerated vertical so you can really see the ups and downs. Today’s ups and downs are very minimal looking. I will post a picture and compare it to yesterday.

Casa Suseia is so nice! Host Sara so sweet and great chef. Attached also is the breakfast. I prepaid for it, if you purchase it it’s in a cute little tub with your name on it and lots of food. I couldn’t eat half of it.Read more
Traveler This is pretty cool
4/20/25Reply
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
Ilarratz
April 14, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Tiny few-house town. But some quaint pics. Getting warmer. Off with the jacket.
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
Larrasoaña cafe con leche break
April 14, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C
Second breakfast at another cute little town. Across from church with some massive bells.

Also passed this old 1200’s church that is “Romanesque” architecture (stout and not many windows very cool extra thick corners.). Happened to bump into a Hungarian architect here admiring it as well.Read more
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
The many types of paths
April 14, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
This path is always changing. It seems like every couple minutes the surface or the environment will change and usually beautiful.

The surface I’m walking on can be several different types of mud, not so fun. Or could be dry dirt or it could be several types of crushed tiny, sandy decomposed granite, small gravel. It can be more normal gravel or large gravel, which is a little harder to walk on or very large rocks. Also several types of paved trail, asphalt not so much yet which is good. But a type of concrete or tile-ish thing made from slate maybe And all of these can be interspersed with puddles. You have to go around and of course there’s the dragons teeth flyshe that was more prevalent yesterday.

All the while either walking through a beautiful meadow or a forest or a dark covered woods or next to horse pastures with little foals that appear to have been born very recently. Lots and lots of birds making different calls that I have never heard in California. Including cuckoo’s!

And today for sure, a babbling, tiny brook or a creek or a small river every couple minutes.

It’s just cool how it’s always changing.

I know this won’t last, because the “Meseta” will be more of the same thing every day apparently. But it’s all good.

Bonus foal video. So cute!!Read more
TravelerSo interesting! Thanks for explaining the different paths and for the pictures. I was wondering if you are usually walking alone or do you see many other pilgrims? Such a cute horse! ❤️
4/15/25Reply
TravelerYes I want to pet him so bad! Today I walked by myself almost the whole time. Other days I have walked with others. Every day you will say hello (or Buen Camino!) to Many other faster pilgrims as they go past, or pilgrims resting. So far, I’m not passing anyone up 😆
4/15/25Reply
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
Zuriain - break and rain
April 14, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 15 °C
Often photographed cafe in Zuriain I stopped for my first Aquarius. It’s an electrolyte drink less sweet than a Gatorade. Then the rain started, hard. Forecast called for another hour without rain. Nice I’m under cover so I can get my Altus poncho/jacket all on.

Also getting a little extra charge on the phone, and WiFi!Read more
I'm enjoying your journey! Thank you for sharing, and I'm looking forward to following along! - M.Lasher [Mary]
4/14/25Reply
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
ZABALDIKA
April 14, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 14 °C
Did not stop, except for a picture. The field of wheat or oats or something is very green and pretty. The rain seems to have stopped so I was able to take off my poncho, but it hangs conveniently on the back of my pack if it’s not too windy.Read more
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
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Albergue La trinida de Arre
April 14, 2025 in Spain ⋅ 🌧 16 °C
Arre was a nice stop. Only 25% of the beds filled. Not many electrical outlets here, or WiFi, or meal. I walked to a grocery store and got food. Town is cute. Used to be a huge water powered fabric whacker of some sort here near my spot (to make the fabric strong?). 900 year old building I read. Had a couple friendly doggos.Read more
Traveler Cool you put a real mussel on your backpack!
4/15/25Reply
TravelerIs that for wine tasting?
4/16/25Reply
TravelerHaha. Yes I can use it for the “wine fountain”.
4/16/25Reply
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
Arre to Pamplona
April 15, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 8 °C
Nice short walk. Fitbit says 6.8 km, and 9000 steps. It was mostly through the suburbs of Pamplona I think would be accurate. Some of the best marked section I have seen so far. Big giant blue markings on the sidewalks with arrows.

Getting into downtown Pamplona where there’s a big wall with turrets on the corners for the archers I assume, it’s pretty impressive. And then you’re into the old town.

Nice manager at the Bearan bar and Rooms let me into my room several hours before check in. It’s overlooking a busy little narrow street. Pretty cool. Unfortunately, the downstairs bar is under construction so just rooms for now.Read more
Looks really cool Chris! [Nancy Gritz]
4/15/25Reply
TravelerThanks, there is no “like “button on this app, but I am enjoying everyone’s comments. Thank you.
4/15/25Reply
TravelerAre you making arrangements ahead of time for your sleeping destinations?
4/15/25Reply
TravelerYes. I have booked first ~10 days until Easter in Logroño. I was thinking some towns could be busy during semana santa. After that, I’m not sure yet. Would like to try some no res days. Scary!
4/16/25Reply
TravelerWhat an adventure!
4/16/25Reply
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
Day in Pamplona
April 15, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ☁️ 9 °C
Walked all around downtown Pamplona. Still more to see. But here’s a taste
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
Adios Pamplona
April 16, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 5 °C
On the way out of Pamplona, I went by the Ciudadela, big giant fort walls on the other end of town. My route didn’t take me close enough, so I went over to see it. Then on the way back, I had three elder pamplonians‘s help point the right way. They are all very nice and concerned I was going to walk the wrong way. I had heard this happens often, but this was my biggest one of great help from the locals.Read more
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
Cizur Menor
April 16, 2025 in Spain ⋅ ⛅ 7 °C
2 bedea town. 😂 (see sign) Nice little climb from Pamplona. Legs feel ok. Last cafe bar for several miles I hear from a pilgrim here. So got a tasty cafe con leche again. It was 39° in Pamplona brrr. Now it’s getting nice.

Elevation profile from Wyze Pilgrim app it’s posted below. Looks like some serious climbing soon.Read more
TravelerTake your time for going uphill, you‘ll have a good view probably when you arrive 😀
4/16/25Reply
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Chris’s Camino Traveler
Into Zariquiegui
April 16, 2025 in Spain
Mostly uphill for the last few km. Nice old La Iglesia de San Andrés was Romanesque originally, but has had some modifications over the centuries. According to my phone, I have been passing fields of oat and broad bean and also something that look like peas that I didn’t ever confirm. Pretty fields.

Still have a big peak to get over today.Read more
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