First day SJPdP to Orisson

[batty]

I watched a youtube video which said that there was a lot of road walking one day 1.
Could someone clarify this please, am i going to be on the road for most of the first day without a road shoulder trying to maneuver around cars.
Thaank you

 

[J Willhaus]

I watched a youtube video which said that there was a lot of road walking one day 1.
Could someone clarify this please, am i going to be on the road for most of the first day without a road shoulder trying to maneuver around cars.
Thaank you

Not many cars. You'll be on a small secondary road most of the way to Orrison.

 

[trecile]

You can see what the trail is like in this short YouTube video.

 

[Tincatinker]

I watched a youtube video which said that there was a lot of road walking one day 1.
Could someone clarify this please, am i going to be on the road for most of the first day without a road shoulder trying to maneuver around cars.
Thaank you

if you watched a U-bend video you'll have noticed how many vehicles passed the walkers on the road. If you need further re-assurance just watch another 50 or so U-bends of the same walk and count the vehicles. I doubt you'll get to 50.

I've never walked the Route Napoleon. I've never seen the point in climbing a completely unnecessary hill. That said most of the common guides seem to suggest that the route splits something like 50/50 between quiet country road and off-road track

 

[Anniesantiago]

It won't be bad, but please walk FACING traffic and single file.

 

[Anniesantiago]

By the way, if it's raining and muddy, you do not have to take the cutoff to the left that goes up a muddy trail. Just simply stay on the road. It's really no longer and will be very quiet road walking all the way to Orisson. It curves around to the right a bit, then back around to Orisson. Easy Peasy and I actually prefer it.

Same thing going down into Roncesvalles. If it is raining that trail down through the beech forest can be slippery as snot. Take the road to the right down instead. Just as pretty and much safer.

Buen Camino!

 

[Former member 104756]

Hi @batty. I walked that path again just a few weeks ago. Agree with @J Willhaus and the video from @trecile gives an idea.

It was as glorious as I recalled from earlier times. A few vehicles from time to time but more often, cows, sheep, horses and other walkers. Certainly no manoeuvring around cars required, even on the first 8 kms up to Orisson. In that section, be sure to walk on the left side, i.e. facing the oncoming traffic.

Regarding the descent, this time we took 'the road' rather than the steeper path through the forest, which can be tricky at the best of times. Calling it a 'road' sells it short - it was a delightful walk often not on road at all. We saw no vehicles. About 1.5 kms from Roncesvalles it merges with the path coming from the Valcarlos Route for a pretty walk into Roncesvalles. I'd do it again. As @Anniesantiago said 'just as pretty and much safer'.

If you have the opportunity and the weather in your favour, I’d highly recommend the Route Napoleon, whether you do it in one day or two.

 

[batty]

You can see what the trail is like in this short YouTube video.

thank you, this was very helpful

 

[Peregrinopaul]

It was as glorious as I recalled from earlier times.

IMG 1255 is glorious, @Pelerina

 

[Anamiri]

I watched a youtube video which said that there was a lot of road walking one day 1.
Could someone clarify this please, am i going to be on the road for most of the first day without a road shoulder trying to maneuver around cars.
Thaank you

I think I saw maybe 3 cars between St Jean and Orrison. Many more pilgrims than cars.

 

[Jim Porter]

if you watched a U-bend video you'll have noticed how many vehicles passed the walkers on the road. If you need further re-assurance just watch another 50 or so U-bends of the same walk and count the vehicles. I doubt you'll get to 50.

I've never walked the Route Napoleon. I've never seen the point in climbing a completely unnecessary hill. That said most of the common guides seem to suggest that the route splits something like 50/50 between quiet country road and off-road track

We walked the unnecessary hill for the incredible beauty of it.

 

[jpwu]

You can see what the trail is like in this short YouTube video.

Nice.

 

[CWBuff]

I think I saw maybe 3 cars between St Jean and Orrison. Many more pilgrims than cars.

Yeah... its maneuvering around pilgrims that is more nerve-wrecking! ....

 

[Former member 104756]

Yeah... its maneuvering around pilgrims that is more nerve-wrecking! ....

Thankfully, mid October not so many ...

 

[JerryStroebele]

I walked it 2 days ago (backwards) A few cars, not a problem. Stiff winds though. I don’t know when you plan to walk but Orisson, Borda and Honto albergues are all closed for the season. Buen Camino

 

[Thyme_Is_Running_Out]

I watched a youtube video which said that there was a lot of road walking one day 1.
Could someone clarify this please, am i going to be on the road for most of the first day without a road shoulder trying to maneuver around cars.
Thaank you

I can only speak for myself to say that I missed a turn-off that would have taken me up a very steep path. Instead, I ended up on a narrow asphalt road that zig-zagged the whole way up to the Orrison. It was scary. I strongly suggest that you don’t miss the dirt path.

 

[ukjohn99]

You can see what the trail is like in this short YouTube video.

That is not familiar to me. Is it the Route Napoleon?

 

[trecile]

That is not familiar to me. Is it the Route Napoleon?

Yes it's the Napoleon route.

 

[Holly West]

I watched a youtube video which said that there was a lot of road walking one day 1.
Could someone clarify this please, am i going to be on the road for most of the first day without a road shoulder trying to maneuver around cars.
Thaank you

Enjoy it!!! Hardly any traffic on that road when we were on it. Hope you aren't in the blizzard at the top we were in!!!