UK to Norte with “alternate” routes

[Purple Backpack]

Dear UK pilgrims…found a great deal to London and working on Rome2Rio to get to Biarritz/Irún. Up popped a British Air flight to the Channel Islands, then maybe Mont St Michel then south to the Camino del Norte. Is that possible? Have about a week before the hike and have been to the UK several times so thought it would be fun to see something other than London. It looks like travel may be complicated though. Thanks a million!

 

[roving_rufus]

From Jersey in the Channel Islands it is possible to travel as a foot passenger to Granville in France but only in the summer months withs Manche Iles Express. Then take a train to Pontorson which has a bus connection to Mont Saint Michel (or a 10km walk along a canal).

The other option is ferry from Jersey to St Malo with Condor. It runs a few times a week. From St Malo take a train but you have to change at Dol de Bretagne to reach Pontorson (with a bus to mont St michel). There is also a hiking route from St Malo to Mont St Michel

After Mont S Michel - From Pontorson there are two possible routes to Irun - first is to take a train to Paris, then to Hendaye and then switch at Hendaye or walk over bridge into Irun - this is fairly fast and straightforward. The other involves a longer series of different trains - to Rennes, then Nantes, then Bordeaux then Hendaye (all of which are lovely cities to visit) - but this will take alot longer and probably only if you want to sightsee along the way.

The other option is much longer - there is a camino route marked from Mont Saint Michel (2 in fact!) - I did the Voie des Capitales from there then connected to the Voie des Anglais/Littoral to Bayonne and onwards to Irun. But that is at least a month's journey

 

[Tincatinker]

You could consider a flight to Biarritz and walking from there. A little sniff of the Pays Basque before you enter Euskadi

 

[Vacajoe]

Jersey Island itself is weather a few days visit! Then again, you can literally walk from Heathrow to the English shore and take a ferry from there to France (St Malo) and walk two days to MSM. Or fly to Biarritz and walk to SJPdP! You have a wealth of opportunities that are only limited by time, health, and funding!!!!

 

[trecile]

You could consider a flight to Biarritz and walking from there. A little sniff of the Pays Basque before you enter Euskadi

I walked from Biarritz this year. A couple of fairly easy days along the French coast before you get to the hard climbs in Spain. Gronze shows the stages.

Camino del Norte | Gronze.com

www.gronze.com

 

[Purple Backpack]

From Jersey in the Channel Islands it is possible to travel as a foot passenger to Granville in France but only in the summer months withs Manche Iles Express. Then take a train to Pontorson which has a bus connection to Mont Saint Michel (or a 10km walk along a canal).

The other option is ferry from Jersey to St Malo with Condor. It runs a few times a week. From St Malo take a train but you have to change at Dol de Bretagne to reach Pontorson (with a bus to mont St michel). There is also a hiking route from St Malo to Mont St Michel

After Mont S Michel - From Pontorson there are two possible routes to Irun - first is to take a train to Paris, then to Hendaye and then switch at Hendaye or walk over bridge into Irun - this is fairly fast and straightforward. The other involves a longer series of different trains - to Rennes, then Nantes, then Bordeaux then Hendaye (all of which are lovely cities to visit) - but this will take alot longer and probably only if you want to sightsee along the way.

The other option is much longer - there is a camino route marked from Mont Saint Michel (2 in fact!) - I did the Voie des Capitales from there then connected to the Voie des Anglais/Littoral to Bayonne and onwards to Irun. But that is at least a month's journey

From Jersey in the Channel Islands it is possible to travel as a foot passenger to Granville in France but only in the summer months withs Manche Iles Express. Then take a train to Pontorson which has a bus connection to Mont Saint Michel (or a 10km walk along a canal).

The other option is ferry from Jersey to St Malo with Condor. It runs a few times a week. From St Malo take a train but you have to change at Dol de Bretagne to reach Pontorson (with a bus to mont St michel). There is also a hiking route from St Malo to Mont St Michel

After Mont S Michel - From Pontorson there are two possible routes to Irun - first is to take a train to Paris, then to Hendaye and then switch at Hendaye or walk over bridge into Irun - this is fairly fast and straightforward. The other involves a longer series of different trains - to Rennes, then Nantes, then Bordeaux then Hendaye (all of which are lovely cities to visit) - but this will take alot longer and probably only if you want to sightsee along the way.

The other option is much longer - there is a camino route marked from Mont Saint Michel (2 in fact!) - I did the Voie des Capitales from there then connected to the Voie des Anglais/Littoral to Bayonne and onwards to Irun. But that is at least a month's journey

Thanks so much for the thoughtful and helpful reply! Wish there was time to walk the Capitales but the Norte is calling this time. Looks like a lot of train time before walking…thanks again!

 

[Purple Backpack]

You could consider a flight to Biarritz and walking from there. A little sniff of the Pays Basque before you enter Euskadi

It’s the getting to Biarritz that looks complicated! Think the walk will actually start from there.

 

[Purple Backpack]

Jersey Island itself is weather a few days visit! Then again, you can literally walk from Heathrow to the English shore and take a ferry from there to France (St Malo) and walk two days to MSM. Or fly to Biarritz and walk to SJPdP! You have a wealth of opportunities that are only limited by time, health, and funding!!!!

Hadn’t thought of walking from Heathrow…now that’s a good start to an adventure!

 

[Purple Backpack]

I walked from Biarritz this year. A couple of fairly easy days along the French coast before you get to the hard climbs in Spain. Gronze shows the stages.

Camino del Norte | Gronze.com

www.gronze.com

thanks, Trecile! Always enjoy reading your posts!

 

[Tincatinker]

Hadn’t thought of walking from Heathrow…now that’s a good start to an adventure!

The LOOP might help with your planning https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/walking/loop-walk

Heathrow to Gatwick and hop on a bird…

 

[Bernice M]

Isn't there a ferry Plymouth-Santander? You could then take the slow Feve or a faster train option to Bilbao.

 

[Purple Backpack]

Isn't there a ferry Plymouth-Santander? You could then take the slow Feve or a faster train option to Bilbao.

thanks, will look at that!