GunnarW
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2011+ > Spain, Belgium, France
In September 2023, I walked the Camino Frances again after 12 years between St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Burgos. Between 2011 and 2023, I did other caminos mostly in France. I found that at certain moments the Camino Frances runs too much alongside busy roads. The N135 and the N120 are not your best friends.
The Brierley guide already lists some alternatives. I already liked that there are even more described than 12 years ago. I started looking to see if more variations were possible. And yes, I found several. Between St.-Jean Pied de Port and Burgos, I left the camino several times. Sometimes a whole day, sometimes an hour. Of course, the walking day then becomes longer and you hardly meet anyone. There are no supplies along the road either. At most, water is available. I did note that you are rewarded for those extra kilometres.
I am now going to publish my findings in 5 episodes. This could be interesting, especially for pilgrims doing the Camino Frances a second time. You often read here in this forum that the Camino Frances is a busy road running alongside busy roads.
1. LINTZOAIN - ZABALDIKA (25,4 km)
Screenshot from Garmin-map at https://www.freizeitkarte-osm.de/ with modified 6724.TYP
After Zubiri, the Camino Frances runs close to the N135. On the map, I noted that there are opportunities both left and right in the hills. The advantage is that a hiking trail has already been partially mapped out thanks to the GR225. You also encounter two small villages and after the second village there is a fountain with a glass on a pole.
The ideal overnight stay to start this hike is in Lintzoain, a village just after Espinal.
The Camino Frances # GR225 "SAIGOTS" junction is clearly signposted after 4 km. You follow the GR (red and white) past Saigots and Leranotz. In Leranotz (10.8 km) there is a water tap close to the church. After Leranotz, there is a fountain where you can use a glass.
The kilometres progress slowly. But the views are great. There were wild horses on the road and I counted seven queen pages (butterflies), two of which I was able to film.
Just before the hilltop Elixato, I left the GR225 as it was getting late. I still wanted to spend the night in Zabaldika. That was a good choice as I had bed number 17. Five minutes later, the last bed was taken.
Difficulty: a little bit easier than the walk through the Pyrenees.
Conclusion: a great adventure however no guarantee of spending the night in Zabaldika.
The Brierley guide already lists some alternatives. I already liked that there are even more described than 12 years ago. I started looking to see if more variations were possible. And yes, I found several. Between St.-Jean Pied de Port and Burgos, I left the camino several times. Sometimes a whole day, sometimes an hour. Of course, the walking day then becomes longer and you hardly meet anyone. There are no supplies along the road either. At most, water is available. I did note that you are rewarded for those extra kilometres.
I am now going to publish my findings in 5 episodes. This could be interesting, especially for pilgrims doing the Camino Frances a second time. You often read here in this forum that the Camino Frances is a busy road running alongside busy roads.
1. LINTZOAIN - ZABALDIKA (25,4 km)
Screenshot from Garmin-map at https://www.freizeitkarte-osm.de/ with modified 6724.TYP
After Zubiri, the Camino Frances runs close to the N135. On the map, I noted that there are opportunities both left and right in the hills. The advantage is that a hiking trail has already been partially mapped out thanks to the GR225. You also encounter two small villages and after the second village there is a fountain with a glass on a pole.
The ideal overnight stay to start this hike is in Lintzoain, a village just after Espinal.
The Camino Frances # GR225 "SAIGOTS" junction is clearly signposted after 4 km. You follow the GR (red and white) past Saigots and Leranotz. In Leranotz (10.8 km) there is a water tap close to the church. After Leranotz, there is a fountain where you can use a glass.
The kilometres progress slowly. But the views are great. There were wild horses on the road and I counted seven queen pages (butterflies), two of which I was able to film.
Just before the hilltop Elixato, I left the GR225 as it was getting late. I still wanted to spend the night in Zabaldika. That was a good choice as I had bed number 17. Five minutes later, the last bed was taken.
Difficulty: a little bit easier than the walk through the Pyrenees.
Conclusion: a great adventure however no guarantee of spending the night in Zabaldika.
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