Baztan 2013...deciding!

[marji]

Looks like this is the first post of the year!

I was wanting to vary my Camino Frances this year and (obviously) seeking some advice.
I have walked the beautiful Napolean route (twice), but would like to walk Baztan this year.
Another option is to walk Valcarloss route.
If you have walked both, which would you recommend?
(less traffic and more quiet in nature is my objective).

Also, I am taking the over-night train from CDG to Bayonne and wondering whether to spend the day in Bayonne? (staying the night in the monastery hostel). And then set out the next day...

I am also planning to walk the invernio route this year.
I so love El Camino.....
Thanks in advance for any suggestions

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, marji,
I haven't walked the Baztan route, though I have heard from a number of people who have since i translated the little guide that's posted here. From what they say, it is a very pastoral, bucolic route, good (though few) accommodations. Like most of the Caminos, you're not out in the wilderness, so civilization is always nearby.

I've never walked through Valcarlos either, but there is a recent post here extolling its beauty. The Baztan would add more days to the Frances, since it's 5 days from Bayonne to Pamplona, but as you can see from the other posts in this sub-forum, everyone who has walked it seems to say the same things about how beautiful it is.

I walked the Invierno in 2011, in combination with the Camino de Madrid. For me, it was 11 days, I think, from Ponferrada to Santiago, which is probably a few more than on the Frances from Ponferrada. So you would start in solitude and end in solitude, with lots of people in between.

You'll have to let us know what you decide, and how things went. I have a hunch that the Baztan is becoming much more popular, but that the numbers on the Invierno are not increasing as quickly, though that is purely based on anecdotal evidence. buen camino, Laurie

 

[marji]

Yes, I wil certainly let you know.
I am thinking Baztan (spend a day in Bayonne) and then take Invernio.
Solitude really appeals as well as the extra days on the Way.
I assume the guide you translated was the two pages from this forum?
Thanks Laurie for your input...

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, marji,
The guide I translated is attached to a post in this thread: camino-baztan/topic12765.html

Look at my post of July 31, it's an attachment there, and is about 23 pages.

Laurie

 

[marji]

just downloading. great. decision made!

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi, marji,
Hope you enjoy the route. If you use the guide, it'd be great if you sent back comments so I could update and revise. That's the only way to make sure the guide remains useful for others, thanks so much! Laurie

 

[marji]

yes, I will do- no pasa nada.

 

[FatmaG]

Good choice, it is indeed a beautiful way!
Buen camino

 

[dd_soleil]

Wow, I haven't heard of the Napolean or the Valcarloss routes -- can you send me your favorite links about them?

The Baztan is great, I just posted my stages, and will try to get some blog posts up one of these days. :lol:

 

[dd_soleil]

Oh, and about Bayonne, I thought it was a lovely city to walk around in, worth the time to get to know, especially after a long train ride! I even went to a yoga class! Delicious food, too. I stayed with a local person so can't give advice about where to stay, but the folks at the Cathedral are very helpful.

 

[marji]

DD..The Camino Frances (Napolean via is o'er the mighty Pyrenees and Valcarloss via is the lower valley). Both join in Roncensvalle ...
I would love a link to your blog/posts with Baztan stages. I have a little extra time and so I am thinking of walking part of the Via Podiensa....see what unfolds with train connections/finances etc.

 

[nathanael]

decided that I would like to do this Camino but not sure as when possibly September..any suggestions on this Camino :|

 

[nathanael]

Looks like this is the first post of the year!

I was wanting to vary my Camino Frances this year and (obviously) seeking some advice.
I have walked the beautiful Napolean route (twice), but would like to walk Baztan this year.
Another option is to walk Valcarloss route.
If you have walked both, which would you recommend?
(less traffic and more quiet in nature is my objective).

Also, I am taking the over-night train from CDG to Bayonne and wondering whether to spend the day in Bayonne? (staying the night in the monastery hostel). And then set out the next day...

I am also planning to walk the invernio route this year.
I so love El Camino.....
Thanks in advance for any suggestions

Although I would love to walk this route will not attempt it unless I have a walking companion. Definitely doing a Camino this June where don't know, how many will do don't know, I plan to make it a long summer in Spain -France.