Lost on the "alternative" route, Zubiri to Pamplona

[MARSKA]

Ok so ... this past spring (2024) I decided to walk the "lower" route into Pamplona and became really lost. I just keep thinking about it and it really bugs me. Where did I go astray?

At the junction of the BIG stairway by the highway rest area (river on the left, mountain on the right) I avoided the upwards climb and stayed on the lower path. I followed this path, always near the river. I recall walking a lovely path leading past an urban park on my left with the river on my right after which I was looking for someplace to get a refreshment. Eventually I walked into the urban area with stores, etc but no bars and no idea where I was (well I knew I was in Spain and close to Pamplona but ... ). I ended up going into a farmacia on the left side of the street to ask for assistance and directions. The helpful senora at the store was able to secure for me a taxi. The taxi ride was 25-30 minutes to the cathedral area in Pamplona.

I still do not know where I was when I got into the taxi, or where I went astray along the path. It seemed a much longer distance overall than walking the "high" path into Pamplona (which leads to the bridge very near the german albergue).

Can someone provide insight into this route and where I strayed off the path?

 

[trecile]

I took that way last year, and it was a bit confusing, not helped by some minor road work being done. I can't tell you where you went wrong though. I used one of my Camino apps to navigate into the center of town.

 

[VNwalking]

Can someone provide insight into this route and where I strayed off the path?

No but here's a decent map (camino tracks are magenta). The river meanders quite a lot, so maybe you weren't actually off track?

 

[JabbaPapa]

Easy to get lost in Pamplona -- especially, I found, if you're walking towards France !!

 

[Roland49]

Sounds to me that you accidentally wandered into Huarte instead of Burlata.

I got slightly off path after I've seen the Lidl Burlata (moved now to a much bigger location) from afar and wanted to get some refreshments and fruits. Sat in front of the store and waited that a thunderstorm ends, that was in the making the whole morning

 

[VNwalking]

Sounds to me that you accidentally wandered into Huarte instead of Burlata.

Taking the river route at Arre prevents that scenario - unless you have absolutely no sense of direction and turn left instead of right at the first choice point, going towards Huarrte.

Wherever you join the via verde, the main thing to remember is if you find the river running in the opposite direction as when you first met it...you're going in the wrong direction.

 

[Kirkie]

Huarte.

 

[John Crawford Howell]

Marska: I know the exact spot where you made your decision to take the lower path. I went up the hill figuring it was my penance for delighting in that nice paved walkway as it serpentined its way on flat land for quite a while before crossing the highway. For whatever reason, playing in my head right now is you take the high road and I'll take the low, and I'll be in Scotland afore ye . . . I'm still scratching my head over several "wrong turns" I took. In the end, we get to where we need to be. The Camino ultimately abides.

 

[bullingtonce]

Ok so ... this past spring (2024) I decided to walk the "lower" route into Pamplona and became really lost. I just keep thinking about it and it really bugs me. Where did I go astray?

At the junction of the BIG stairway by the highway rest area (river on the left, mountain on the right) I avoided the upwards climb and stayed on the lower path. I followed this path, always near the river. I recall walking a lovely path leading past an urban park on my left with the river on my right after which I was looking for someplace to get a refreshment. Eventually I walked into the urban area with stores, etc but no bars and no idea where I was (well I knew I was in Spain and close to Pamplona but ... ). I ended up going into a farmacia on the left side of the street to ask for assistance and directions. The helpful senora at the store was able to secure for me a taxi. The taxi ride was 25-30 minutes to the cathedral area in Pamplona.

I still do not know where I was when I got into the taxi, or where I went astray along the path. It seemed a much longer distance overall than walking the "high" path into Pamplona (which leads to the bridge very near the german albergue).

Can someone provide insight into this route and where I strayed off the path?

God may have wanted you to have this experiences since all experiences of this type help one to grow . . . that is, unless the person refuses to grow. Chuck

 

[SabsP]

God may have wanted you to have this experiences since all experiences of this type help one to grow . . . that is, unless the person refuses to grow. Chuck

I hardly believe the many gods have a gps or satnav nor do they want you to " grow ".

 

[MARSKA]

No but here's a decent map (camino tracks are magenta). The river meanders quite a lot, so maybe you weren't actually off track?
View attachment 180710

Hmmm....I'm trying to see where one crosses the river before Olloki. I was keeping the river on my right. It seems I erred in that I needed to cross and have it on my left somewhere near Olloki. I do remember signs indicating the way to Arre. Generally speaking my sense of direction is good (as long as there is daylight) but I was completely wrong at this juncture.
I'm an excellent (paper) map reader but I havent learned to use tracks, which I really want to learn and master.
I think Ill take another look at google earth to see if I can follow my mistake.
Bugs me to no end!!!!!

 

[Kirkie]

In the attached map you can see two rivers. As you look on the screen, the one on the left passes a place known as Arre, and just before the signpost for Villava, is the Trinidad de Arre Albergue and bridge. The map on the right shows the river path that many choose from the rest area before either climbing the hill and reaching Trinidad de Arre and on via Burlada (the supposed traditional route) or the well prepared river walk with plenty of shade that Marska may have chosen. That route is promoted by the town of Huarte...it is very popular for local people walking or cycling.
You see where you must cross so the river is on the left. The Arga. Just around the Molino de San Andres, Villava, the two rivers meet and gurgle along together...accompanying a wooded walk from Villava to reach Burlada and the entrance to Pamplona. That section of walk is parallel to the urban camino route. I only add a screenshot, but if you search maps for Huarte Navarra you will be able to enlarge a clearer image.

 

[Camo]

Can someone provide insight into this route and where I strayed off the path?

Of course I only operate "on the paper/screen" and not on the track but it seems clear to me you took the Mappy bike track that circumnavigates Huarte but you pulled out IN Huarte and got a taxi. here is "normal" route


Here is bike route



So about 37 minutes longer

There is a minor section where the satnav does not track so I have asked Google AI to do a "road fix"



I don't hold much hope of google fixing this as of late they seem cra.... off people are not using sat nav after all their fixes but seem to just keep getting lost

c'est la vie - I can but try

 

[VNwalking]

but it seems clear to me you took the Mappy bike track that circumnavigates Huarte

Or took the wrong left turn at Molino de San Andres that @Kirkie and I mentioned.