Orisson website/reservations

[strickland6159]

Does anyone know anything about the website for Refuge Orisson being down? I know I have connected to it before, but now I am getting an error message. I was hoping to start trying to make reservations for upcoming Camino, but.....

 

[Albertagirl]

Does anyone know anything about the website for Refuge Orisson being down? I know I have connected to it before, but now I am getting an error message. I was hoping to start trying to make reservations for upcoming Camino, but.....

Their email address is refuge.orisson@wanadoo.fr and people have sometimes not entered it correctly. Perhaps you could check what you are using? Good luck.

 

[trecile]

Does anyone know anything about the website for Refuge Orisson being down? I know I have connected to it before, but now I am getting an error message. I was hoping to start trying to make reservations for upcoming Camino, but.....

I noticed that their site was down too. You can email them at this address, it's the one I used both times that I made a reservation there. refuge.orisson@wanadoo.fr

 

[strickland6159]

Hi, thank you so much. I really appreciate that. I will use it

 

[trecile]

I just tried their site again and it's working. http://refuge-orisson.com/

 

[strickland6159]

I got on too. (it was down, I am not just crazy, yes? )
Thank you!

 

[domigee]

I got on too. (it was down, I am not just crazy, yes? )
Thank you!

No you are not crazy! Pre-camino nerves. And yes, we all go through it!

 

[Artykat]

I have just tried to book 1 night at refuge Orisson (29/8) but looks like its booked out. Does anybody know how far it might take to walk from SJPdP to Roncesvalles without stopping at Orisson?

 

[stratophile]

Hi @Artykat - about 24.4km, with about 1,495m ascent and 760m descent.

 

[Artykat]

Thanks stratophile for your quick answer. Not sure how many hours that would take - this being my first Camino. Im guessing about 6 - 8 hours which sounds ok.

 

[stratophile]

That really depends on your walking speed and your mountain legs. Naismith's Rule (a popular algorithm for calculating an estimated duration for a hike) would suggest about 9 hours though lots of people do it faster. I can walk seemingly forever, but I'm a slowpoke on both steep ascents and steep descents, so it takes me longer. Give yourself lots of time so that you don't have to push yourself too hard (especially at the start of your Camino).

 

[stratophile]

Another option is to go via Valcarlos and overnight there.

 

[Felipe]

The vast majority of people do SJPP to Roncesvalles in one stage.
It is a steep climb before Orisson, and after that just a looong climb and a final descent (with two options, one easier than the other). I'd say 7 hours if you are really fit, 8-9 could be average, 10 if you do it slowly or leisurely. Just my estimate.
Edited: depends also on the weather, I considered "reasonable" conditions. I (in my sixties, good climber, slow in descents bcs of a bad knee) did it in 8 1/2 hours, with three short stops (Orisson, Virgin, Lepoeder).

 

[Artykat]

@ stratophile thanks for your advice. Like yourself, I always feel I could walk forever, however as a first timer and not used to mountainous terrain, have decided to cut the journey in 2 . Looking into the Valcarlos option.
Im not in a race, have just 7 days and want to enjoy the journey.

 

[Artykat]

Well done on doing the journey in 8 1/2 hours! I find the descents worse and since its my first day not willing to chance injury. Good to hear of the short stops though.

 

[stratophile]

@Artykat - Another option is to stay at Ferme Ithurburia in Huntto, about 5.7 km from the start in SJPP. That would make the crossing of the Pyrenees a bit easier, though you are still dealing with most of the ascent and descent.

Also, on the descent into Roncesvalles, you might want to consider following the road rather than the 'official' path through the woods. The woods path is much steeper and can be difficult in wet conditions. The road is slightly longer (and less attractive) but is easier. Personally, I like the woodland path. But if you aren't used to mountain walking there is no reason to push yourself on your first day on the Camino. There are plenty of pretty places along the Camino so you won't really be missing anything.

 

[Artykat]

@stratophile Very grateful for this advice ..firstly about the descent into Roncesvalles I will definately be going for the road as it sounds like the more sensible option. Glad to have that Ferme address in Huntto (writing all these useful tips into a small notepad) . I spent a long time yesterday online looking for a place to stay near the start in SJdPP without luck because I booked already (provisionnaly) a room in Gites Makila but discovered today that a taxi from there to the start of SJdPP costs at least €140. So thank you for this suggestion!

 

[stratophile]

Happy to help. I wouldn't stress about it too much, though. If you take your time and go at your own pace, resting whenever needed and drinking lots of water, you might get there late but you'll get there.

 

[Felipe]

The paved road to Roncesvalles is a good choice. And not exactly boring or uninteresting...

 

[Vacajoe]

Gite Makila is nowhere near SJPdP, but you COULD walk to Roncevalles from there - curious as to what made you select that specific gite?!?!

 

[trecile]

Gite Makila is nowhere near SJPdP, but you COULD walk to Roncevalles from there - curious as to what made you select that specific gite?!?!

It's two doors down from the Pilgrims Office.

 

[Vacajoe]

That makes more sense. . There’s a village of Makila with a gite that’s waaaaaay off the beaten path that I thought she had reserved .

But then why is it 140€ for a taxi to “the start of SJPdP” as she posted!?!?!?!

 

[Artykat]

Gite Makila is nowhere near SJPdP, but you COULD walk to Roncevalles from there - curious as to what made you select that specific gite?!?!

I was looking for a handy place to stay in SJPdP as I need to get my pilgrim pass and one of the pilgrims here (going in the same direction) had just booked a room at Gite Makila and I took it from there, booked a room on booking.com. This site offers a 10% reduction on taxis..... Meantime I have cancelled this. I understand now why its important to prepare for your camino months in advance

 

[trecile]

I was looking for a handy place to stay in SJPdP as I need to get my pilgrim pass and one of the pilgrims here (going in the same direction) had just booked a room at Gite Makila and I took it from there, booked a room on booking.com. This site offers a 10% reduction on taxis..... Meantime I have cancelled this. I understand now why its important to prepare for your camino months in advance

Gite Makila is in St Jean. Just two doors down from the Pilgrims Office.

 

[Vacajoe]

So why is the taxi €140?!?!?!

 

[GJB]

So why is the taxi €140?!?!?!

Possibly needed a new set of tyres??

 

[Artykat]

Possibly needed a new set of tyres??

So why is the taxi €140?!?!?!

Just checked again... The quote I was given (€141.99) was from Biarritz airport to Gite Makila. Sorry, my mistake here.... trying to sort everything at once then forgetting what I have done. One of the reasons why the Camino is so attractive.