Day 6 – Zubiri

Perfect day for hiking. Sunny and cool. We covered 12.6 miles with 1400 feet of ascent and 2600 feet of descent. It felt like we did a handful of short steep climbs and a ton of moderately steep descending.

After two hard days, Carol decided to take a rest day today, so Ann and I tackled this stage alone.

Q: Bill, is the Camino like you remember it?

Yes and no. Some places I have vivid and accurate memories. Other places don’t register at all.

The Camino spirit is definitely the same. People are almost always positive and friendly. And unlike at home, I’ve had conversations with about 50 people, and not one has asked what my job is. Your career is meaningless on the Camino.

Today there were plenty of nice places to take a break. This cafe was packed with pilgrims. Ann and I took our first break of the day here.
Our second break was at this food truck about 3 miles from the end. This guy picked the perfect place to park his truck.
Parts of the trail was paved with stones like this or patterned concrete (that looked like stones).
The trail crossed this little creek which was was deep enough we didn’t want to walk through it. There was a long way around to miss the water, but Ann and I don’t take no stinking long way! Instead we climbed up on the concrete posts and stepped across.
The trail was packed with pilgrims today. Rarely were we alone.
The last 2 kilometers down hill to Zubiri had a lot of slate stones. In this spot the rocks formed great stairs. But…
… in other spots the rocks were awkward and required a lot of focus and attention.
Ann making the final descent into Zubiri.
Here Ann stands on Zubiri’s main landmark “Puente de la Rabia” (the bridge of rage). The name “Zubiri” means “the bridge town.” Pilgrims have walked over this medieval bridge for centuries.
Me on The Bridge of Rage. I was too tired to rage.
View from the bridge.
Zubiri’s town square. Zubiri is very small. There isn’t much here.

9 thoughts on “Day 6 – Zubiri”

  1. Great photos today, Bill. A gorgeous day. In one of them you show a packed cafe. I noted several bikes there. Does anyone try to bike the Camino? Granted, some of those paths you showed today do not look easily bikeable.

    Reply

    1. Yes, there are bikers and some alternative routes.

      There are only two things Camino folks generally talk bad about. Snoring and Bikers. Bikers create a disturbance on narrow trails. So people get annoyed.

      Reply

  3. Many great photos — I’m really enjoying them. And I like the fact that your job doesn’t matter when you relate to people there.

    Reply

  4. Great start Bill! Your pictures and observations bring flashbacks of the 2022 CF. It was this time last year we were on our way to SJPP.
    We stayed at the same hotel in Burguete. I hope the cranky innkeeper was friendlier for you, Ann and Carol.
    Buen Camino pilgrim.

    Reply

    1. Funny you mention him. He was still cranky! I think he has OCD. When I moved something a few inches on the table, he moved it back.

      Reply

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