4caminantes

Day 1: St. Jean Pied de Port to Roncevalles

We took the easier (less steep) route to Roncevalles, which was 27 km long and took us about 8 hours. The walk was nice as we walked through farmlands, through a few small towns, and then through the forest where the elevation changed between steeply upwards and downwards.

The hostel in Roncevalles was nice and really big – the cost was €10. It also had separate bathrooms for men and women. Also there was free laundry and a big kitchen. But there is no grocery store in town, so we had the Pilgrim´s menu for dinner, after we went to church that night.

Day 2: Roncevalles to Zubiri

The walk was only 21.5 km this time, and the weather was very cool today. We walked along the highway and walked along many hiking paths. There were a lot of elevation changes, too.

Our hostel cost €6 tonight, and was not the best we stayed in, but at least it had a kitchen!

Unfortunately the grocery stores were closed when we got there, but thankfully we had some beans and vegetables to eat, which we prepared in the kitchen. We also went to mass that night.

Day 3: Zubiri to Pamplona

This day´s walk was also 21 km and it was even cooler today. We started out early and walked through farmlands and on hiking paths. We also stopped for breakfast in a hay-field! We walked uphill which gave us great views of the mountains and the valley. Also we walked through 2 towns before Pamplona, which was neat, but took longer than expected and our feet were really tired!

We stayed at Jesus y Maria Albergue, which was really nice and cost €6. There was free washing machines and a nice kitchen. Since it was Sunday we were lucky to find an open grocery store so that we could make dinner!

Pamplona is a beautiful city, though, and we would all love to go back to spend more time there. We entered through a star-shaped citadel and wandered through the city on our way to mass. Too bad the running of the bulls isn´t until July!

Day 4: Pamplona to Puente la Reina

Today we were greeted with a warm sun and blue sky! We walked through the city to get to the base of a mountain, which we then climbed by way of a path along fields of wheat. All along the hike we had great views of the valley and the best view was of course, from the top. Thankfully the way up was winding, but the way down was much more steep.

We are staying in an albergue next to a church here, for only €4! We once again bought food at the grocery store and made dinner in the kitchen. We also made it to church, although we had the wrong place at first.

What´s really neat is that we are staying on schedule with many other walkers, so we´ve seen several people in all the hostels we´ve been in. We met a man from Italy who we often see at mass, a man from Vancouver who is very friendly, and 3 Asian women who are also very nice and who we see at mass.

Adios!

With Monica and Teresa in Spain already, Elizabeth and Katherine are excited to leave for their flight!! including a pit stop to Frankfurt for some German beer!!

Bags packed and weighed and ready to go. Get ready Camino!