RS Basque tour Camino question

We did this in 2024. I think I clocked between 5-6 miles for the whole day, but it wasn’t all at once. Each guide may make adjustments, so you might want to check with the RS office. Those of us that decided we wanted hiking poles bought them at the St Jean--Pied-au-Port. Our group started at Alto del Perdon. It’s a downhill section with rocks, so there was the option to take the bus to the next break point and wait for the hikers. One person chose never to walk and just stayed with the bus. I believe there was another point where we met up with the bus before the final leg. I know we did have two rest stops. The first one was a snack break.

We did this tour several years ago and I recall the entire walk was about 5 miles but I enjoyed every step. Our guide, Francisco, started us off with a challenge of thinking of it as a spiritual experience and to remember the important people in our lives who had passed on. It was a very meaningful experience and I can understand why walking the entire Camino is such a special experience for others. Try at least part of the walk and the bus will be available at intervals. Loved the entire Basque tour!!

The walk is fantastic-- but it starts with a steep downhill section. One member of our RS tour opted to skip the first part of the walk, so there is (or was for us) an option.

Happy travels!

As others have said, the Camino walk is divided into sections with an option to ride on the bus for any parts you don't care to walk. The total was about 5 miles, I think.

Thanks for the quick replies. This gives me a good idea of what to expect. All I did was pivot my left leg to get in the drivers side of my car. :(

I took the RS Basque Tour in October, 2019. Guides change, plans change - my remarks are based on experiences that may have changed. Yes, our Basque Camino Walk portion was divided into three sections. Several members of our group opted to ride the bus rather than walk thru all three sections - and that is always an option. If mobility is a concern, from my experience, the first section would be the most challenging, and it would be the part I would suggest avoiding. As I recall, the total walk is about 5 miles. Section three is the most flat and perhaps the most gratifying. This is a wonderful tour and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

One thing you could try is getting some knee wraps. There are several different wraps available at CVS or I assume other drug stores. My knees have bothered me also in the last few years and I've started wearing these on hikes and it eliminates all the pain after now.

Thanks. I do have a pull on elastic type knee brace that helps a lot if I don’t twist the knee. The doc got back to me after I got a little testy. Apparently the assistant never told him I called, three times. I’m in Paris and will be heading down to catch the tour in a couple of days.

I am just completing this tour (and it is terrific!) I can confirm that the Camino walk is divided into three sections and the descriptions made by others are correct. The guide made it clear that there was no pressure and no shame in skipping the first part which is quite steep and rocky (and the longest section).

In the end, I was the only one who skipped this part. I was able to get out of the bus at the top of that section for a wonderful view and picture taking. Then I rode with the bus down to the end of that section of the walk, a town called Uterga. It was very quiet and peaceful there, and I enjoyed a short walk and then found a bench and watched pilgrims, and eventually our group, dribble into town. There is a cafe with a lot of outdoor seating which was the meeting place for the group.

The two later sections of the walk were not difficult. The second section had a short climb up, but otherwise was pretty flat on top of a ridge - lovely views. The third section was quite flat and goes through fields. Again, anyone who wanted to skip a section could do so, as the bus met us in each beginning/ending location. In our case, everyone walked these two sections, but if your knees began to act up, you could ride to the next stopping place.

Hi I'll be doing that trip starting October 1st. And I'm starting to get worried about the weather situation we're going to be in Paris before and Madrid and Barcelona after and so those places have wildly different weather. Now I'm trying to figure out how to pack for The Basque portion should I bring my waterproof hiking shoes? We're only doing carry-on and I'm considering just mailing the shoes to our hotel in Barcelona when we're done with the Basque tour any comments about clothing and or shoes would be greatly appreciated

I’m in Bayonne with tour starting today. Paris and Bayonne weather has been in low 70s with a bit of rain that happened while training to Bayonne and a drizzle yesterday morning. Sunny most of the day.
Look at the percentage of rain in forecast. If low, may not get any. Take old shoes and discard if they get too muddy or ruined. Waterproof them if possible. You won’t melt with rain.
Have fun.

i’ve used Cadillac Shield to waterproof my walking shoes for years and swear by it. I also spray my jacket, hat, umbrella and backpack. (Taking this tour next year.)

Thanks for the info on water proofing. I do like the idea of taking an old pair of shoes and discarding at the end. I have lots of spares, as I tend to hang onto shoes. Live on a small ranch and I pretty much have "yard shoes" outside of every door.