Short Stage Plans

[Frankybaby66]

Hi fellow wanderers, I'm beginning to toy with the idea of starting my next Camino in SJPdP, instead of completing a 2017 Camino which I had to abort just before Burgos. (fancy challenging myself to get over the Pyrenees again!)
I would like to get 'off stage' as soon as possible to avoid some of the crowds. This would mean having a short day to break the 'Brierley cycle'. (my days of doing a stage and a half are long gone, unfortunately.)
Wondered about doing Roncesvalles to Viskaretta to achieve this, but open to suggestions. I have no plans to stay in Pamplona, Logrono etc as I stayed there on my first Camino in 2016 (it was a lot quieter then)
I plan on setting out June 2025 and booking Orrison. (best decision I made on my 2016 adventure!)
Any comments, suggestions welcome

Thanks in advance

Buen Camino

 

[SYates]

There are plenty of accommodation listed here for that stage: https://www.gronze.com/etapa/roncesvalles-orreaga/zubiri Personally I would treat myself to a long leisurely breakfast and then explore Roncesvalles itself: https://roncesvalles.es/en/royal-collegiate-church-of-santa-maria-de-roncesvalles/ that is if you like museums, history etc. After that you could walk a really short stage (see list above), perhaps to Burguette only?
BC SY

 

[KiwiJohn]

On my last year's Camino Francés I began my trek with just a short day staying in Orrison.
The next morning I headed off early, bypassing Roncesvalles (avoiding the crowds), arriving in Espinal where I overnighted at the wonderful Hostal Rural Haizea.
Now I was between stages!!

 

[dougfitz]

I last walked from SJPP with my wife some years ago. We stayed in Valcarlos, then Burguette. Zubiri was full, so we found a place off trail for that night and then had a short walk into Larrasoana. It seems to me there are plenty of ways, if you have the time, to keep walking distances down on the CF, even on those early stages.

 

[Roland49]

Hello!

As far as my "plans" are fixed, I wish to walk the first third of the CF in July 2025 again:

SJPdP -> Roncesvalles (maybe stop at Orisson or Borda)
Roncesvalles -> Zubiri
Zubiri -> Pamplona (Casa Paderborn, I'm member of the supporting society)
Pamplona -> Puente de la Reina (Estrella Guia)
Puente de la Reina -> Villamayor de Monjardin (Oasistrail)
Villamayor de Monjardin -> Sansol (Karma)
Sansol -> Logroño (Paroquial)
Logroño -> Ventosa (San Saturnio)
Ventosa -> Azofra (Municipal)
Azofra -> Grañon (Paroquial)
Grañon -> Belorado (Cuatro Cantones)
Belorado -> Villafranca Montes de Oca (San Anton Abad)
Villafranca Montes de Oca -> Burgos (Municipal (only leg 30km+)

Hope that this itinary is "off Brierley cycle" enough.
I didn't / don't use any guidebook at all.

 

[Frankybaby66]

On my last year's Camino Francés I began my trek with

Hello!

As far as my "plans" are fixed, I wish to walk the first third of the CF in July 2025 again:

SJPdP -> Roncesvalles (maybe stop at Orisson or Borda)
Roncesvalles -> Zubiri
Zubiri -> Pamplona (Casa Paderborn, I'm member of the supporting society)
Pamplona -> Puente de la Reina (Estrella Guia)
Puente de la Reina -> Villamayor de Monjardin (Oasistrail)
Villamayor de Monjardin -> Sansol (Karma)
Sansol -> Logroño (Paroquial)
Logroño -> Ventosa (San Saturnio)
Ventosa -> Azofra (Municipal)
Azofra -> Grañon (Paroquial)
Grañon -> Belorado (Cuatro Cantones)
Belorado -> Villafranca Montes de Oca (San Anton Abad)
Villafranca Montes de Oca -> Burgos (Municipal (only leg 30km+)

Hope that this itinary is "off Brierley cycle" enough.
I didn't / don't use any guidebook at all.

Thanks for that, I'm sort of trying to avoid staying in Zubiri, Pamplona, Puente de la Reina though, as from memory, they were 'pinch -points as far as accommodation goes - with the associated 'pilgrim conga' when leaving the following day. I'll be sure to check out your later options though.
(I stayed in San Anton Abad a few years ago. It was my last night that year so pushed the boat out and stayed in the hotel. It was very comfortable and speaking to other pilgrims there who were in the adjoining albergue, that sounded good as well)
Thanks for all the info
Have a great Camino

 

[Tincatinker]

@Frankybaby66, unless you are absolutely determined to walk over an unnecessary hill on your first day of Camino plan to walk via Valcarlos. You will have broken from the hordes and can comfortably make Burguette or Espinal on your second day. You are then officially off the "official" stages and can make your way in comfort and tranquility.

Happy planning

 

[Jim Porter]

Hi fellow wanderers, I'm beginning to toy with the idea of starting my next Camino in SJPdP, instead of completing a 2017 Camino which I had to abort just before Burgos. (fancy challenging myself to get over the Pyrenees again!)
I would like to get 'off stage' as soon as possible to avoid some of the crowds. This would mean having a short day to break the 'Brierley cycle'. (my days of doing a stage and a half are long gone, unfortunately.)
Wondered about doing Roncesvalles to Viskaretta to achieve this, but open to suggestions. I have no plans to stay in Pamplona, Logrono etc as I stayed there on my first Camino in 2016 (it was a lot quieter then)
I plan on setting out June 2025 and booking Orrison. (best decision I made on my 2016 adventure!)
Any comments, suggestions welcome

Thanks in advance

Buen Camino

It makes good sense. This is what we have done on both our Caminos, because of the wonderful hospitality of both villages.

 

[J Willhaus]

It took us 5 nights to reach to reach Pamplona on our first Camino so there are lots of in-between places to stay that most people don't consider.

 

[Frankybaby66]

@Frankybaby66, unless you are absolutely determined to walk over an unnecessary hill on your first day of Camino plan to walk via Valcarlos. You will have broken from the hordes and can comfortably make Burguette or Espinal on your second day. You are then officially off the "official" stages and can make your way in comfort and tranquility.

Happy planning

Marketing idea for Refuge Orrison . . . 'The best albergue on an unnessary hill!
Good idea though, and I've already done the Napoleon route - I'll have a look
Thanks

 

[gerardforde]

Hi Roland
The Parroquial Albergue in Tosantos, about 4 km after Belorado is very special too.
There is a church built into the cliffs just behind the albergue worth visiting even if you don't stop here.

 

[Roland49]

The Parroquial Albergue in Tosantos, about 4 km after Belorado is very special too.
There is a church built into the cliffs just behind the albergue worth visiting even if you don't stop here.

Do you mean the Ermita de la Virgen de la Peña?
Visited. Just out of curiosity. Was closed at that date.

 

[gerardforde]

Hi Roland
I dont remember the name of the church, but the albergue is https://www.caminodesantiago.me/cam...tos/albergue-parroquial-san-francisco-de-asis

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I was going to suggest the same way @KiwiJohn did in post #3, a stay at Orisson but add Borda as an alternative. @Tincatinker in post #7 also has a similar idea, stopping in Valcarlos. If you already walked the Napoleon route this is definitely a plus. Any of these three means you can have a later start from SJPdP and have more time to rest from the travel to get there followed by an easier first day walk.