Video Stage 4: Pamplona to Puente la Reina | Camino Frances with Jhonatan Barrios
Stage 4: Pamplona to Puente la Reina | Camino de Santiago Frances with Jhonatan Barrios
Although Jhonatan Barrios has mentioned the name Puente de Reina on several occasions, the correct name for this place is actually Puente la Reina. Jhonatan wants to share with you this fourth stage of the Camino de Santiago Frances, which runs from Pamplona to Puente la Reina, a route covering a total distance of twenty-four kilometres. He walked this whole stretch of the Camino between 26 April and 26 May 2022, which makes it a fairly recent experience full of memories.
In this video, Jhonatan gives a glimpse of his journey through beautiful fields decorated with the vibrant greens and yellows typical of a large part of the route he walked. He also had the chance to reach the famous Alto del Perdón, an iconic spot on the Camino that offers stunning views. He also passed through several charming villages along the route, each with its own history and charm, which made his experience even more special and memorable.
Stage 4: Pamplona to Puente la Reina with Jhonatan Barrios
Jhonatan Barrios was leaving the Jesús y María hostel for Puente de Reina at seven in the morning. Twenty-four kilometres awaited him, and he found the spot interesting because several routes coming from the south joined the Camino Frances there on its way to the Cathedral of Santiago in Santiago de Compostela. Puente de Reina is where most of the routes come together. So Jhonatan began the fourth stage of the Camino leaving Pamplona from the centre, right from the city’s main square. He always remembered, as the ushers and practically everyone who walked that path did, to follow the arrows. Jhonatan got up very early so he could cross the city centre. The day before, he had not only enjoyed its streets, a few shops and its local food, but he also had a very pleasant experience when Beatriz, who runs the famous pastry shop, gave him a whole box of chocolate pastries, which he shared with the pilgrims he met at the hostel.
Jhonatan noticed there were signs for cyclists and for those walking on foot, and he followed the route marked for pilgrims on foot. They crossed a park and continued along the avenue to leave the city. The path took them through the campus of the famous University of Navarra, a large campus well known internationally. Further on, Jhonatan and the other pilgrims passed through the small village of Cizur Menor.
Pamplona, Cizur Menor and other villages were left behind as they kept climbing toward Puente de Reina, about 14 kilometres away. Jhonatan decided to stop for something to eat and a juice. Along the way, when entering towns, he would stop to rest by the Church of Saint Andrew, a Romanesque church that drew many pilgrims to visit it.
They continued on toward the Alto del Perdón, an imposing climb where the famous Fuente de Reniega was located, which had a legend attached to it. According to it, a tired and thirsty pilgrim met the devil, who offered him water in exchange for renouncing his faith. The pilgrim resisted the temptation and prayed until Saint James the Apostle appeared and made water spring from the rocks. Jhonatan drank from that water, following the tradition that doing so was said to guarantee continuing the Camino and lessen the temptation to give it up.
Jhonatan reached the Alto del Perdón, at about 770 metres of altitude, with a lookout point and an exceptional panoramic view. In front of him stood the Monument to the Pilgrim, a work by Vicente Galbete made of sheet metal, depicting pilgrims from different eras. Jhonatan was moved to stand in front of these sculptures showing the evolution of the Camino de Santiago from its beginnings to the present day.
The path went downhill and Jhonatan enjoyed the scenery. He came to a bar and noticed a medicine vending machine, which caught his attention. They continued on through the village of Obanos, an important point on the Camino de Santiago, where two historic routes met: the Aragonese Way and the Camino Frances. However, since the 18th century, the joining of these routes has taken place in Puente la Reina rather than in Obanos.
Finally, Jhonatan reached Puente la Reina, a town known for its medieval bridge built in the 11th century for pilgrims. Although it is not known for certain whether it was commissioned by Queen Doña Mayor or Queen Estefanía, the bridge remains a beautiful example of medieval architecture. Jhonatan decided to have dinner and see part of the town, getting ready for the fifth stage of the Camino the following day.
Buen Camino, pilgrims!
See the full stage guide for Pamplona – Puente la Reina: distance, profile, hostels and services.
