OUR WAY

 3rd May 2025

Day 5 - Puente la Reina to Villamayor de Monjardín

View from our albergue tonight

Early starts are becoming the norm. We left the albergue at 5:55 a.m., heading down the main street and over the bridge that gives the village its name. Not many other pilgrims were about as we began the gradual ascent out of the village.

Early in the day

We passed through three small villages, stopping for coffee along the way. As we reached Estella-Lizarra, the route took us over a historic bridge and into the plaza outside the Iglesia de San Miguel Arcángel. We stopped there for something to eat, visited the church, then made our way down through the old town and back onto the Camino.

Just after leaving Estella, we passed Bodega Irache, home to the famous wine fountain. A tap for water, and next to it, a tap dispensing free red wine for pilgrims.

Free wine for Pilgrims

The path continued through more urban sections before opening out into rolling, wooded hills. To our right, a distant escarpment caught the light. The temperature was rising, and we slowed on the final ascent toward our destination village.

On arrival, we found our chosen albergue fully booked. We were told the only other albergue in the village was also full—as were those 12 km ahead and back in Estella. After waiting to see if reserved beds went unclaimed, we were lucky to be offered a cramped attic room with mattresses on the floor, shared with another couple. Later arrivals without reservations were at least helped to find a bed for the night.

The building itself was beautiful -old, full of character, with winding staircases and low beams. From the terrace, the view over the surrounding countryside was stunning. After the usual routine of showering and washing clothes, we sat in the sun, enjoying the quiet.

Where we stayed
Oasis Trails
Villamayor de Monjardín
Beautiful old building
€13 per person donation as no official bed available.
Very friendly welcome
Our rating 9/10