Alternate route via Huarte (Zabaldika to Pamplona)

[MARSKA]

I must have overlooked this previously but I see there is an alternative to the big "up" that goes to the right after Zabaldika and the highway rest area and leads to Pamplona via Arleta, Trinadad de Arre and Villava.

Has anyone followed this route along the river into Huarte (bypassing Trinadad de Arre, etc.?) If so, where in Pamplona does one rejoin the main CF route and do you recommend this route if the other is slippery/muddy? Asking for a friend ...

 

[trecile]

I took the route following the river last year, and it was very pleasant, and I would recommend it, especially on a hot day because I remember climbing up the other way, and there is very little shade.

 

[Kirkie]

From Huarte it is easy to cross the road to the other river walk, a recreational one, that comes out at the big roundabout at the Pamplona end of Burlada, and then follow the marked camino route up to the city. Tell your friend to take it if s/he prefers shade in heat, or safe footing when there is or has been torrential rain.
It is also still possible to pass the ages old albergue at Trinidad de Arre, and pop in for a stamp and a moment of cool, dark, quiet. In that case, the route called traditional continues parallel to the recreational river walk, once again reaching the roundabout. Along the way, there are bars and cafes...
Climbing either to Zabaldika or from the rest area is shorter, slightly.
Do wish your friend buen camino.

 

[good_old_shoes]

I walked that way, but since that year the youth hostel (?) I had planned to stay at was full, I walked back a bit towards Arre (the lovely hospitalera in the hostel that was full made a phone call to make sure I got a bed there).

I did enjoy the walk. It is basically a bike path along the river - all flat and enough shade to be pleasant on a summer walk in the afternoon, but all asphalt if I remember correctly.

 

[naplesdon]

I enjoyed it, very shady and not a lot of foot or bike traffic as I remember. It is bordered by many small garden plots.

 

[MARSKA]

Thanks everyone. As always , good info and much appreciated.

 

[MARSKA]

Does anyone have a visual they can share as to how/where this route meets up with the traditional camino?
I'm confused, obviously.

 

[lsg]

Is it the 1hr 23min option? Am doing route planning and also have the same question.

 

[Kirkie]

The traditional camino. Show it to me, please!
Rather than get into opposing corners, just let me say that around the area de descanso you can
a) climb the hill and reach Villava/Trinidad de Arre, skirting the hill. Reaching Trinidad de Arre, you have approx five km to Pamplona.
b) take the tarmac path along by the river, you won't get lost, and you come out in Hiarte, and from there continue to Pamplona.
c) go up the hill before the area de descanso and rest in the coolness of the church at Zabaldika, continuing along and meeting those who climb up directly from the area de descanso. Or stop and enjoy the silence and the peace. Overnight if you are one of the first eighteen pilgrims.
When you get to the area de descanso, you have roughly 8km to Pamplona, a little more meandering along the river path via Huarte.
It is not confusing when you are actually there. Or maybe it is just that I know it so well!
The map above confuses me, but most maps do.