Saint Jean Pie de Port

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. EarplugsRead more
SJPdP time to start walking!

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 pilgrimsRead more
I made it! Up the first hill to Borda

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.Read more
Route Napoleon

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.
Very close to the top!

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 hereRead more
Closer yet, to the top

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 theRead more
I made it to the top of the pass/Spain!

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
Downhill into Roncesvalles

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’tRead more
Staying in Roncesvalles

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 andRead more
Roncesvalles - 13th century monastery!

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.Read more
Burgette

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 pollsRead more
Espinal area

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 turnsRead more
Into Zubiri

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 itRead more
Casa Suseia - Leaving Zubiri

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,Read more
Ilarratz

Tiny few-house town. But some quaint pics. Getting warmer. Off with the jacket.
Larrasoaña cafe con leche break

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 veryRead more
The many types of paths

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,Read more
Zuriain - break and rain

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.Read more
ZABALDIKA

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 onRead more
Albergue La trinida de Arre

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 fabricRead more
Arre to Pamplona

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 blueRead more
Day in Pamplona

Walked all around downtown Pamplona. Still more to see. But here’s a taste
Adios Pamplona

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 threeRead more
Cizur Menor

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 PamplonaRead more
Into Zariquiegui

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 ofRead more