Where to begin?

Initially we had planned to begin the Camino Frances (the French Way) at St Jean Pied de Port in France crossing the Pyrenees in two days to Roncavelles.

This is the traditional starting point for most people however the pilgrimage can begin 5 weeks earlier in France in Le Puy making the Pyrenees the half way point. We also met people who had begun in Germany and one man who had walked from Russia!

However we needed to be flexible and adapt these plans as Aurelia was unwell with a chest cold when we arrived in Spain. After much consideration we changed our plans and travelled from Sans Sebastian to Pamplona.

We used the CIA LA RONCALESA bus company and our ticket cost us €6.50. The buses depart every hour (in summer only) and tickets can be purchased around the corner from the bus station for people travelling outside of summer months.

The decision to begin in Pamplona is not one we regretted. Pilgrims we met who had travelled over the Pyrenees spoke of rain, hail and mud up to their knees. Unfortunately this year alone 3 pilgrims have died on the trail, simply becoming confused and losing their way.

We were not willing to take any unnecessary risks while walking the Camino and so taking into consideration the needs of all family members a modified starting point was the solution. The distance to be walked from Pamplona now approximately 700km to Santiago.