19.

Cizur Menor

 

(from Pamplona)

Small village, bar, restaurant (but no shop), fountain in public garden (right)
The church of St John of Jerusalem belonged to the Order of the same name. It was built at the end of the twelfth century. The pentagonal cloister was added between 1250-1265, with the conventional buildings. From the beginning, it had an efficient, clean and caring pilgrim hospital. In 1508 it had a house “ with six beds where poor pilgrims can sleep and be rested.”  Its fortunes seriously declined as a result of the misappropriation. The only survivor was the church, but it was neglected. It was even converted into a warehouse. It has been restored. The doorway is Romanesque, with the Greek monogram of Christ in the tympanum. The Romanesque parish church, also restored, is on the right.

Accommodation:

Splendid refuge run by the Roncals, a kind and hospitable family, well known in the village. However when the reviewer stayed here he was swamped at night with half a dozen of Senora's Roncals kittens.

Refuge (16) has wooden bunks with curtains and a clean and well-equipped kitchen. 6 Euros a night.  Refuge (16) run by Knights of St John of Malta. Open from June to September. 7 Euros. Restaurant Asador el Tremendo, 10 Euros menu. Behind the farmacia is a bar which serves meals.
Cycle Repairs: Ciclos Cizur, Calle Mirador, tel. (948) 17.22.82.

Directions:
Go downhill, and 100 m later fork right down footpath, down left hand side of the fronton and turn left. Proceed straight to road, which becomes UMUR. (The Monte del Perdon (1.037m) and a line of forty modern windmills along a ridge to its right are visible. They are the energy source of Pamplona’s electric power grid).

Join Macadamized road approaching from left and continue. 100 m later (road bends right); keep straight on (left) on UMUR. When this bends to right after 200m, turn left to clear footpath through fields under electric cables. This takes you to the church and village of Guendulain. About 200m later, cross minor tarred road. Go straight uphill.

Ignore left turn at junction lined by four large trees. Just before a group of eight trees UMUR bends left. Keep right on earth track at junction with UMUR (small lake/reservoir to left) go left up hill. At next crossing 60m later, proceed straight towards windmills on skyline. You get a good view of Pamplona.  Continue uphill to Zariegui.

6km Zariegui

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