Grade of ascent out of St. Jean

[Marathonwmn]

As best I can figure, the average grade from St. Jean-Pied-de-Port to the top of Col de Lepoeder is 9.62%. Does anyone know for sure? I'm starting to think about training for the Camino Francés and would like to work this into my training.

Thanks!

 

[Snake]

My calculations came out 5.73%. That is an average. There are steeper and flatter stretches.

 

[jpflavin1]

Steep.

I set my treadmill at 7% when walking at home in the Winter.

That said, it is just a matter of putting one foot in front of the other. The only thing that changes is the speed/pace you perform that action.


Ultreya,
Joe

 

[KinkyOne]

As best I can figure, the average grade from St. Jean-Pied-de-Port to the top of Col de Lepoeder is 9.62%. Does anyone know for sure? I'm starting to think about training for the Camino Francés and would like to work this into my training.

Thanks!

Maybe it is. But what does that tells/helps you? What about the grade from Villafranca Montes de Oca??? Or Portomarin? Or...???
Just take care of your feet and you'll be OK.

Ultreia!

 

[dougfitz]

It is possible to check out the route on the Google Earth application, which I did some time ago to answer a similar question. The average grade does quite a lot to hide the quite variable nature of the slope you will face. My recollection is that there are some sections that might be three, or even more, times the average.

Also, just using an arithmetic average (overall elevation gain/distance) actually disguises the real average. You really need to sum the individual elevation gains and individual elevation losses to get the real average slope. I suspect it will be closer to 12% than 9.6%.

 

[clearskiescamino]

The gradient of the hill after Castrojeriz is 12% . I remember the signage vividly going up.

 

[Felipe]

I am not worried by the ascent...no matter what gradient is, I can climb it, step after step. Now, the incline degree from Lepoeder to Roncesvalles, that could be really of interest to me (and to my right knee)

 

[whariwharangi]

As best I can figure, the average grade from St. Jean-Pied-de-Port to the top of Col de Lepoeder is 9.62%. Does anyone know for sure? I'm starting to think about training for the Camino Francés and would like to work this into my training.

Thanks!

Set the stairmaster to 'Everest'. If you have trained to climb Everest then Col de Lepoeder will be easy.

 

[indyinmaine]

The answer to "What's the gradient?" is STEEP!! Just put one foot slowly in front of the other!

 

[Marathonwmn]

Thanks to everyone for your answers. They are all appreciated!

 

[Tony Jansen]

What Felipe said. Worry more about the descent to Roncevalles.

 

[mlhhome]

.....and the wonderful blissful morning you will enjoy the next day

 

[jmcarp]

The gradient of the hill after Castrojeriz is 12% . I remember the signage vividly going up.

Yeah, that one was the killer for me. We dilly-dallied in Castrojeriz far too long and got a late start up that hill, which made it extremely hot and sunny in addition to the long climb. And going down was not all that easy either. I seem to recall a sign on the backside that said 18% grade.

 

[ranthr]

The sunrise from the top of the hill after Castrojeriz is stunning! Be on the top when the sun rise!

 

[Kiwi-family]

Yeah, that one was the killer for me. We dilly-dallied in Castrojeriz far too long and got a late start up that hill, which made it extremely hot and sunny in addition to the long climb. And going down was not all that easy either. I seem to recall a sign on the backside that said 18% grade.

Here's the proof folks!

 

[Icacos]

Here's the proof folks!View attachment 12985 View attachment 12986

Bicyclists love this downhill. I swear I saw one youngster 'take air' before practically flying down this hill. There would be a tendency, I expect, for walkers to zig zag down this hill in an effort to lessen the effect of the steep gradient on the legs. I strongly recommend that walkers keep to a straight line, not only on downhills, but always, as one never knows what bicyclist might come tearing up from behind. (Enough has been said on other threads about the difficulties between walker peregrinos and bicycle peregrinos.)

 

[jmcarp]

Bicyclists love this downhill. I swear I saw one youngster 'take air' before practically flying down this hill.

And the downhill side is rough-textured concrete...I can only imagine the road rash that young cyclist would suffer if he layed his bike down.

 

[GerryDel]

Steep and steeper.

 

[CISSA69]

I would grade it a 10 of 10 in terms of making pilgrims ask themselves profound questions such as "what was I thinking when I decided to start at SJPP?" ..... "I wish that Jesus died a year sooner ..... then the Brierley guide would have me start from Ronconvalles" ...... "how the hell did a rather chubby Nepolian ever get out of SJPP much less in and out of Spain" ....... "......Taxi ...."

 

[AnnieY]

I would grade it a 10 of 10 in terms of making pilgrims ask themselves profound questions such as "what was I thinking when I decided to start at SJPP?" ..... "I wish that Jesus died a year sooner ..... then the Brierley guide would have me start from Ronconvalles" ...... "how the hell did a rather chubby Nepolian ever get out of SJPP much less in and out of Spain" ....... "......Taxi ...."

how many degrees is that? I don't work these % very well

 

[naplesdon]

.....and the wonderful blissful morning you will enjoy the next day

Oh yeah, the next day to Zubiri if you go that far has a downhill which is a killer.

 

[naplesdon]

Why ask? It's steep and as someone else said (gets even steeper) the first little lift out of SJPdP gave me reason to question my sanity back in 2011. I have since found over the years there are even worse climbs and descents.

 

[Icacos]

how many degrees is that? I don't work these % very well

If it helps, here's what I use as my milepost ---- The steepest hike I've done has an average grade of 34.4%; much of it was scrambling i.e. using hands and feet. As long as I can remain upright, I count my blessings.

 

[AnnieY]

If it helps, here's what I use as my milepost ---- The steepest hike I've done has an average grade of 34.4%; much of it was scrambling i.e. using hands and feet. As long as I can remain upright, I count my blessings.

ah that was what I found myself on yesterday's training, lost on Dartmoor at one point couldn't go up or down - quite ridiculous - still back now and none the worse for wear except I regard yesterday as cross training! (stretching some muscles that don't usually come into play)not putting the miles in -

 

[naplesdon]

If it helps, here's what I use as my milepost ---- The steepest hike I've done has an average grade of 34.4%; much of it was scrambling i.e. using hands and feet. As long as I can remain upright, I count my blessings.

How about the descents when it takes hours to crab walk to the bottom?

 

[Tony Jansen]

How about the descents when it takes hours to crab walk to the bottom?

Then one uses the hydration system as a water slide ☺

 

[Theo]

Hi,

Interesting perhaps ?

HERE a web page where, by putting your mouse cursor under the curve, you can follow on the map the altitude of your footsteps on the route to Ronvevalles ... Don't forget to zoom the map ...

HERE also all the ways available in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques département.

Théo

 

[Icacos]

How about the descents when it takes hours to crab walk to the bottom?

Right! That's where I first learned there was such a thing as good inner soles. Haven't been without them since.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

The sign for the old route out of Ourense on the Camino Sanabres:



Based on the number of breathers I needed going up this hill, it was steeper than the climb up to Ibaneta!