The Tunnel Route

[PLOK]

Hi all
I am starting the Camino in early May and have decided to walk the first stage from Irun to santo Domingo rather than starting at SJP. This involves the tunnel route through St Adrian's Tunnel which is an ancient and still well defined route although not heavily used. It sounds to me an interesting adventure. I would love to hear from anyone who has walked this way or better still anyone who may be thinking of it. In any event I shall be hoping to join the traditional French route after five or six days! Hope to see someone then
All the best Peter

 

[peregrina2000]

Hi Peter.

I've moved your thread to the Vasco Interior section. If you scroll through the other posts in this section, you'll see that other forum members have walked this route and can probably give you some good information.

 

[PLOK]

Ah! Thank you! I couldn't find an appropriate thread!!

 

[jprogers]

Hi Yes you will see my other posts on this route in this section. Well marked and you may need alternate accommodation but a lovely lovely walk. You may not see any other pilgrims but I hope you do. May take longer than 5-6 days...dont forget to write all about it.

 

[AML]

Hi Plok,
i walked this route last may, from Irun to Burgos bypassing Santa Domingo, 10 days walking and only met 6 other pilgrims total, albergue possible most nights if i remember sometimes keys had to be obtained at police station or tourist office, lot of road walking and industry first few days, the day through the tunnel and last dayinto burgos most beautiful. Very well marked apart from one section on the Burgos variant because of new motorway construction.
Hope this helps
Buen camino
aidan

 

[jpflavin1]

Hi all
I am starting the Camino in early May and have decided to walk the first stage from Irun to santo Domingo rather than starting at SJP. This involves the tunnel route through St Adrian's Tunnel which is an ancient and still well defined route although not heavily used. It sounds to me an interesting adventure. I would love to hear from anyone who has walked this way or better still anyone who may be thinking of it. In any event I shall be hoping to join the traditional French route after five or six days! Hope to see someone then
All the best Peter

Peter:

I walked this route in 2012. This Camino is very pedestrian until Besain. After that it becomes much more rural with the exception of Vittoria- Gaitz (sp.). Steep climb out of Zegema and the tunnel itself is quite short (less than a 100 meters). My Avatar is a picture of the old Roman road after the tunnel. Nice country side before and after V-G. Then you pass through the wine country of Brinas and Haro before intersecting the Frances at SDdlC. This walk took me 8 days but could probably be done in 6. I had a very short first day 11 km's.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[PLOK]

Peter:

I walked this route in 2012. This Camino is very pedestrian until Besain. After that it becomes much more rural with the exception of Vittoria- Gaitz (sp.). Steep climb out of Zegema and the tunnel itself is quite short (less than a 100 meters). My Avatar is a picture of the old Roman road after the tunnel. Nice country side before and after V-G. Then you pass through the wine country of Brinas and Haro before intersecting the Frances at SDdlC. This walk took me 8 days but could probably be done in 6. I had a very short first day 11 km's.

Ultreya,
Joe

Hi Joe thanks for responding. Sort of gathered that the initial part might be a bit dull but made up for onwards. As a matter of interest why did you go to SDdlC rather than straight to Burgos (obvious answer may be the wine of course)? Anyway am much Looking forward to the journey haven't done it before so getting quite excited Peter

 

[PLOK]

Hi Plok,
i walked this route last may, from Irun to Burgos bypassing Santa Domingo, 10 days walking and only met 6 other pilgrims total, albergue possible most nights if i remember sometimes keys had to be obtained at police station or tourist office, lot of road walking and industry first few days, the day through the tunnel and last dayinto burgos most beautiful. Very well marked apart from one section on the Burgos variant because of new motorway construction.
Hope this helps
Buen camino
aidan

Thanks Aidan much looking forward to this walk. Never done it before so hoping all works out well Peter

 

[jpflavin1]

Hi Joe thanks for responding. Sort of gathered that the initial part might be a bit dull but made up for onwards. As a matter of interest why did you go to SDdlC rather than straight to Burgos (obvious answer may be the wine of course)? Anyway am much Looking forward to the journey haven't done it before so getting quite excited Peter

PLOK:

My favorite Albergue on the Frances is the Church in Granon. That and the wine country are two reasons for SDdlC versus Burgos, imo.

This route is also a much gentler and less crowded start to a Camino than SJPdP.

Ultreya,
Joe