Getting To St Jean Pied de Port (SJPDP)
Sometime around June 2018, I watched a movie titled “The Way” starring Martin Sheen. It is set along the Camino Frances. Good story and I recommend the movie.
Prior to watching this movie, I had never heard of the Camino de Santiago. My interest in this 500-mile trek was immediately sparked, and I researched this pilgrimage. I had to do it.
I kept thinking about doing it until I finally told myself to stop thinking about it and make a commitment. Buy the dang airline ticket! In July, I did it and started preparing for this marvelous adventure.
Somehow when I researched how to get to St Jean Pied de Port to start my journey, I got the idea to fly from Austin through London, then to Paris, then to Biarritz, bus to Bayonne, a few hours in a small hotel, then train to SJPDP. How convoluted!
I was exhausted by the time I arrived in SJPDP the next morning. No way to begin a journey like this one.
When you arrive at SJPDP, visit the Pilgrim Office to get your Credencial. This is the passport which allows pilgrims to stay in the cheap accommodations for pilgrims only.
When I went back in 2019, I had learned my lesson. Fly to Madrid, take a bus to Pamplona. Done! I started near Pamplona but if I had wanted to start in SJPDP I could have taken a bus there too. My albergue in Pamplona was a whole 5 min walk from the bus station.
Starting in SJPDP is the toughest day of walking the entire Camino. The elevation gain is 4,858 ft over about 15 miles. For many people, their first day on the Camino is also their last, because of injuries to their knees, etc. There is one other day which equals it in difficulty, but it comes very late in the Camino when walkers are trail hardened. So, if you are unsure of your ability to cross the Pyrenees, don’t do it. Start in Pamplona, or take a bus from Pamplona to Roncesvalles.
If you think you could walk it but not with the backpack (mochilla), let Express Bourricot transport it for you. Their office is just a few doors down the hill from the Pilgrim office. If you are staying in Orisson the first night, they will take it there for you and then transport it to Roncesvalles the next morning. https://www.expressbourricot.com/
Residents of Spain mostly start in Pamplona or only do the last 100km and start in Sarria. By far the bulk of them walk only Sarria-Santiago. Those who live along the Camino simply leave their homes and start walking.
Walk your own Camino! Don’t let what someone else may think determine where you begin your Camino. That is not why you’re there.
Buen Camino!
Blessings
Tex
