St Jean Pied de Port to Pamplona | 390€

6 Days | 3 September 2023 to 8 September 2023 | Shared Pilgrim Accommodation with some bunk beds

Day 1 | Meet in Saint Jean Pied de Port

We’ll meet in the historic pilgrim town of St Jean Pied de Port in the French Basque region.  St Jean is a stopover point for three ancient Jacobite routes which converge here; it’s also the starting point for most modern pilgrims wishing to cross the Pyrenees into Spain.

We’ll be staying in a small private pilgrim Auberge with rooms exclusively for the group and single beds (no bunks)

Day 2 | Saint Jean Pied de Port – Borda (9 kms)

We don’t have far to walk today so there is no need to rush.  After breakfast we’ll leave St Jean and meander our way into the foothills of the French Pyrenees; we’ll walk on quiet country roads always climbing upwards.  We can stop as needed to soak in the incredible views and to take many, many photos.  We share a fabulous communal dinner tonight cooked by our host.

Day 3 | Borda – Roncesvalles (17 kms)

We’ll wake early and make ready for our day ahead, breakfast is included and once we’ve eaten we can make our way onwards to Spain!  As with yesterday we’ll follow the road for a while before turning off and walking along this well worn pilgrim trail.  Hope for a clear day as the views are majestic.  If we’re lucky we’ll walk by wild horses, cows and sheep whilst watching buzzards and Pyrenean vultures fly overhead.

Our day ends at the stunning monastery albergue at Roncesvalles.  This beautifully renovated building is pilgrim heaven; private four berth bunk-beds, the hottest of hot showers and you can even arrange to have your laundry washed for you.    You can attend the evening pilgrim mass or you may prefer to retire to the bar.  We’ll enjoy a communal dinner with our fellow pilgrims before bed and you can dream of your walk over the mountains!

Day 4 | Roncesvalles – Zubiri (22 kms)

The alarm goes off at 6:00am in Roncesvalles but no worries as we will have slept well after yesterdays walk and the vino tinto that’s served at dinner!  We’ll have a simple breakfast before we leave. Today we continue through more glorious Spanish Pyrenean foothills.  We’ll meander through forests and open countryside and many beautifully kept Basque villages.  Hopefully there will be plenty of opportunity for breaks.  There’s one bar that serves the best smoothies!

We’ll cross streams and pass pastures and we’ll watch the scenery change as we walk away from the mountains and into Navarra.  Today’s stop is in the pilgrim village of Zubiri in a private pilgrim albergue, where we have a dormitory to ourselves and another wonderful communal dinner.

Day 5 | Zubiri – Pamplona (21 kms)

Today we’re walking away from the mountains, following a river valley through more glorious countryside and if you wish, we can make a tiny detour to climb a church bell tower for even more majestic views.  I’ve walked this path in spring and autumn, in rain, snow and sunshine and it’s always beautiful.  There are more little villages and of opportunities to stop for a second breakfast before we reach the outskirts of Pamplona. 

Pamplona, or Iruña as it is called in Basque, is the capital of Navarra.   With its imposing walls, well-preserved medieval centre, beautiful parks and fabulous plazas it is a popular tourist city as well as having a steady flow of pilgrims.  The city owes part of its fame to its adopted son, Ernest Hemingway, who spent considerable time in Navarra during the Spanish Civil War.  Café Iruña was Hemminway’s favourite bar and can be found in the magnificent Plaza del Castillo where we are staying tonight in two beautiful apartments.  Perhaps we will meet at Café Iruna when we arrive and people watch for a while and then later after our shower return for dinner and toast the end of our fabulous Pyrenean adventure!

This fabulous adventure includes :

•            6 Days | Meeting St Jean Pied de Port and ending in Pamplona 

•            5 Nights accommodation in shared pilgrim accommodation (with bunk beds)

•            4 breakfasts and 3 dinners

•            A small group of 8 like-minded walkers

•            Colleen (me) as your experienced guide, walking and travelling with the group each day

•            Pre-walk support, guidance and advice with group zoom meetings and a private chat group

•            Pilgrim Credentials

•            Assistance with booking luggage transfer (1 x 15kg bag) if required