April 17 & 18, 2026

It’s been a couple busy days. On Friday, April 17, I walked from Roncesvalles to Zubirí, about 22 kms. On Saturday, April 18, I walked from Zubirí to Pamplona, about 21 kms. It always ends up being longer distances by the end of the day, especially with walking around town after checking in to the hostel. Both days I ended up with a bit over 30 kms per day. 

In Zubirí I stayed at the Albergue Segunda Etapa. It was a clean, comfortable place. I stayed in a room with 3 other women.

In Pamplona I am staying at the Albergue Casa Paderborn, which is run by German volunteers. It is right by the river that flows through Pamplona. I am in a room with 6 other people, 3 bunk beds and one mattress on the floor, 7 people in total. 

Both days I started walking shortly after 6 am, while it was still dark. I didn’t bring along a headlamp, so I piggybacked with people with headlamps until it was light enough to not need artificial light anymore. But I needed to buy a headlamp. I did that this afternoon here in Pamplona. I also, unfortunately, forgot my towel in Zubirí, so I bought a new lightweight camp towel. 

On the walk to Zubirí I really enjoyed the sunrise. There were so many bird sounds at that time, especially right before sunrise.

In Zubirí I met Gabriele, a German woman, and Emilie, a French woman. We ended up walking together to Pamplona because neither one of us had a reservation for the night and we wanted to get early to Casa Paderborn, which has limited beds and does not accept reservations. We got in, yeah!

On the walk to Pamplona I ran into a couple people I’d met the first day in Roncesvalles. It is curious how you form a sort of group of acquaintances that you keep meeting here and there. Some of them become friends.

Tomorrow it is on to Puente La Reina. Good night!