Journey to Pamplona
On February 28, 2026, I traveled from Subirats to Pamplona, covering 20.3 km.
Since there were no rooms available in Roncesvalles, I paid 45 euros (about 76,000 won) for accommodation in Subirats. In the end, I skipped the segment from Roncesvalles to Subirats.
On the first day, I almost got lost while crossing the Pyrenees. My plantar fasciitis worsened, and I seriously considered quitting. I decided to reach Pamplona first and then think about it.
Last night, I arrived at an albergue called Rio Arga. When I arrived in the pitch dark, I couldn't see anything, but looking out the bathroom window, I enjoyed the soothing sound of the flowing river and the exotic atmosphere, prompting me to take some photos.
The previous day, I had walked for over 10 hours in the Pyrenees, and my body felt like it had been hammered. I thought about wanting to rest in a big city.
After getting lost in the mountains, experiencing fear in a vast area with no water and no one around, I decided to abandon the remote path to Pamplona and walk along the road instead.
Looking at the map, I noticed that the pilgrimage route overlaps at some points. Worried about my plantar fasciitis, I wore two pairs of socks and an ankle brace.
Google Maps indicated a 4-hour walk, but with my backpack, I estimated it would take about 7 hours. I felt I would need to soak in a hot bath today, so I set my destination to a hotel in Pamplona and started my journey.
Using Google Maps as my guide, I decided not to worry about the time it would take. I had 760 km left to Santiago.
I can say that flat paths bring happiness. Walking along the road on a Saturday, I expected to be alone, but I encountered many Spanish cyclists.
I thought they only liked soccer, but they also enjoy cycling. The Vuelta a España, a major cycling event, takes place every year, and while many walk the Camino to Santiago, I noticed a significant number of cyclists, known as Bicigrinos.
There were solo riders, pairs, and groups, showcasing a diverse cycling community. Honestly, it felt like 300 people passed by me in just two hours.
The weather was perfect, not too hot or cold, making it great for walking and cycling. As I walked briskly along the road, I realized I had been walking for nearly two hours.
During that short time, I felt around 300 people (though I can't be exact) pass by me. Yesterday, I was terrified of getting stranded in the dark mountains, but today, I felt safe even alone.
It was reassuring to think that I could ask for help if something happened. Among the people passing by, some made eye contact, smiled, and greeted me, which lifted my spirits.
As I walked, I came across sections overlapping with the Camino. When I felt scared, I decided to return to the road.
A black cat named Nero approached me on the Camino. It seemed abandoned, playfully running around and even lying in the middle of the path. If it weren't in Spain, I would have wanted to take it with me.
As I tried to continue on my way, the cat followed me for a while, guiding me along the path. I thought it was quite remarkable.
After leaving Nero behind, I resumed my journey, passing by old buildings and occasionally spotting yellow arrows that guide pilgrims.
Upon reaching the road, I decided to rely on Google Maps to head to Pamplona. After walking a bit, I found a peaceful path leading to a park, the Fluvial de la Comarca de Pamplona, Huarte Park, which aims to restore the riverbank damaged by urbanization.
In this park, I found a bench that read, 'SONRÍE, YO INVITO,' meaning 'Smile, it's on me.' I smiled back, feeling a bit uplifted.
Finally, I arrived at my hotel, which was quite far from the city center, leaving me a bit disappointed. However, entering the city made me feel more at ease.
After asking a Carrefour employee about the bus stop to Pamplona, I decided to take the bus instead of walking further, as I was exhausted from my 5-hour walk.
Upon arriving in the city, I noticed that people dressed very neatly and elegantly, reflecting the country's style. I also enjoyed some delicious Thai food, which I plan to write about in a separate blog.
Thank you for reading my lengthy account of the day.
Source :https://blog.naver.com/kate9680/224200920106
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