We landed in Biarritz on Tuesday 10th of May and saw the Pyrennes and Snowy mountains in the distance.

I was joining a group that Hilltoptreks had organised, who were there for pleasure! Our guide was Tony and we were joined by Eugene, Joe, John, Liam and Noreen.

 

An hour later we arrived by Bus in the town of St. Jean Pied de Port (“foot of the pass” in the foothills of the Pyrenees), which is the medieval capital of the Basque region.

 

The local Pilgrim office helped us with additional info on what was ahead and we set off.

So we took a short 5 km hike up quite a steep route, to 480m for our first overnight stop of Hontto.

Huntto.

 

Our accommodation was a simple room of multiple single beds in the room and we met strangers from France to Canada.  We enjoyed a simple pilgrims meal of Soup, Chicken Stew and a local beer!