suec1

I am looking for a suggestion where we could go and stay for several nights that is a stopping point on El Camino so we could walk just a bit of it. I would prefer if the city / town was accessible by train - we do not usually rent cars. And preferable not Santiago de Compostella - not the most accessible city in Northern Spain IMO. Thanks for any suggestions.

lreynold1

Several suggestions (you will probably want to walk in a westerly direction, so you can follow the arrows).

Pamplona to Puente la Reina or beyond. Aside from one rocky descent, it's a nice walk with an ascent up to the cut-out figures that are fairly recognizable.

Astorga to the west is a very nice day.

Also Ponferrada would be a good choice.

The big cities (Burgos, Leon) are great to visit but the walks in and out are not the most scenic.

I am assuming you mean the Camino Frances, but if you are thinking of other caminos, the Norte along the coast has a lot of nice sections. Be careful, one day on the camino can turn into a big obsession!

kja

I spent a few days in San Sebastian / Donostia, and while there, took a walk of a few hours along part of El Camino to the Pasaia (Passages), took the little boat to Donibane, and had an absolutely delicious lunch at Restaurante Txulotxo. Might be worth considering....

suec1

Wonderful replies - thank you for the suggestions!

lreynold1

I agree that the area around San Sebastián is an excellent part of the Camino del Norte. You will see pilgrims, but not the crowds you'll see on the Francés. IMO, the Camino del Norte does not have the same "camino feeling" you might sense on the Camino Francés, but that may not be important to you. Gorgeous scenery, that´s for sure.

yorkshire

I did a northern stretch along the coast with some stunning geological formations. Easy to get to on the train: search Zarautz or Zumaia to Deba