Zubiri to Pamplona (15.1 miles on July 1, 2017)

We started our morning with a cafe con leche (of course)!  We wanted to give the doctors a present, but the clinic  was closed as it was Saturday morning.  We left the gifts with the owner of the albergue who said she would deliver them.  We crossed over the bridge (Puente de la Rabia)  leaving Zubiri (population 400) and began our walk to Pamplona.  It immediately began to rain and ponchos were a must! The path led us past the Magna industrial plant (ugh!) and through the village of Harratz.  We met a teacher from Rochester (really!) who was walking the Camino by herself.  Along the path we stopped at a 12th century abbey that was being restored.  The person restoring the abbey had walked the Camino in 2011 and decided to live on the Camino and bought the abbey from the Catholic Church.  It was fascinating to hear Neil tell us about the history of the abbey and how he, by himself, is restoring the abbey!

Neil in front of the abbey

The abbey today

Neil told us to make sure we stopped at the 13th century church of San Esteban in Zabaldika.  One thing you will notice in this part of Spain is the dual languages of Spanish and Basque.  The rain continued throughout the morning and our ponchos really came in handy!

Camino marking on a tree

 The rain brought out the giant slugs!  

The path was very muddy and slick so our hiking poles were a must.  We went past Larrasona which is a historic town (population 200) with many Jacobean symbols.  Lunch (bocadillo con jamon y queso) was at the cafe La Parada de Zuriain which had a cool sculpture which looks like a pilgrim.  After a short walk along the river and a park we started a steep climb up to 13th century Iglesia de San Esteban (Stephen once again) and were greeted by a nun from the Order of the Sacred Heart.

Altar with Joseph and the Christ child

 The altar was incredible and we were allowed to go to the belfry and ring the church bell which is the oldest in Navarre.  ​​​

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You can see the Camino in the background

Leaving Zabaldika began the trek into Pamplona.  When we got to the Puente de Arre Opcion we were along a beautiful river.  Deviating off the Camino a bit we relied on an app called maps.me.  I highly recommend it!  We ultimately navigated through Pamplona (population 200,000) and in to the historic part of the city.

Entrance to historic Pamplona

 The walls and moat around the old city were amazing and entering the city through the gate was the end of a long, but pleasant, walk from Zubiri.  Buen Camino.