2nd stage, Roncesvalles - Zubiri (22,14 Km.)
Going down the pass of Ibaņeta for those pilgrims who come
from Fraance, you arrive in Roncesvalles or "valley of hawthorns",
a very special place in Camino de Santiago because it is the
departure of the route of stars and it has benn a witness
of some important events in history.
Most of the pilgrims start walking in Roncesvalles after
spending one night in the lodging and going to the mass of
pilgrims at eight oīclock the previous day. going to the mass is
something extraordinary, no matter if you are Catholic or not.
The monkīs canticles among the gothic stones are really special.
When mornig comes you leave the monastery behind you going
along a path which goes on paralle line with a road. It is
sourronded by every type of vegetation (pines, beeches, birches...)
The stage is so pleasant that is becomes a gift for the pilgrim.
Then you reach Burguete; you go ahead the main street and
you arrive at a bank office and turn right. After that you walk
alonganother path which leads you to Spinal/Aurizberri.
Now you have travelled 6,5 Km more or less. At the end of
the path you must turn left and take another paht which goes
directly to Alto of Mezkiritz. there you will find a headstone
where you can read: "Here you must pray to the Mother of
Roncesvalles". Then you will go across a road and down a narrow
path which will laed you to Biscarreta/Guerendiain.
After walking along this village you will find a cross-roads
but the yellow arrow will help you to know which is the right
way you have to follow. the way in the center gets to Lintzoain
after two Km. Later you will arrive in Erro.
A hard upwards path in the middle of a wood wil take you to the
mytical Alto of Erro but it worths going up. you will be able to
remember the medieval times and feel the pilgrimīs steps from
other centuries inside the laefiness vegetation. Before reaching
the top, according to the legend, there is a big stone and two
smaller ones which have the same size as Roldan and his wife and
sonīs step.
Then you will have to cross the road for the last time and you
will start going down along a stony path until Zubiri (it is 4
Km long more or less).
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