• Get your Camino Frances Guidebook here.
  • For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)
  • ⚠️ Emergency contact in Spain - Dial 112 and AlertCops app. More on this here.

Search 69,459 Camino Questions

The 790 km sign near Roncesvalles

Bouwmeester

Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino de Francés SJPdP-PlR (July 2013)
Hi all,

I noticed the 790 km sign in the trailer of The Way, looked it up and found out it's next to the road near Roncesvalles. Just curious why it says 790 km though? I realise that it's a motorway sign, but Google Maps says it's around 750 km by car from Roncesvalles to SdC (and exactly 787 when taking a slight detour).

Any guesses? This is probably my least practical question, but you probably know what it's like when sheer curiosity takes over :)

Buen Camino,
Tom
 
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
One of the first things you learn when walking the camino is that the signs indicating distance are little more than random guesses. One morning early in my camino, shortly after climbing out of Linzoain ( I think), I came across a sign indicating 6.9 km to the next town. Not more than 50 metres later, I came across another sign indicating 7.5. And no, I hadn't gone the wrong way. :)
 
It's just a 'tourist attraction'. How many drivers leaving Roncesvalles are heading for Santiago, I wonder? It's just there for us to take photos. By saying it's 790kms it lets those who have come from SJPP know that we've crossed the 800km point! Still a long way to go.... :D Buen Camino!
 
Join our full-service guided tour and let us convert you into a Pampered Pilgrim!
Another possibility is that the walking distance is further than the driving distance. Many times, I've taken the main road when the official Camino goes over the river and through the woods, and I've arrived much sooner than my fellow pilgrims.
 
Bouwmeester said:
This is probably my least practical question, but you probably know what it's like when sheer curiosity takes over :)
A few years ago, Acacio of Viloria de Rioja (Acacio & Orietta), decided to measure the Camino Francés in Spain on account of the Red de albergues Camino de Santiago http://www.redalberguessantiago.com. He came up with the figure of 793 kms from Roncesvalles to Santiago. The measures were taken from town church to town church, following the classic Camino Francés. The road sign of 790 km on the outskirt of Roncesvalles was not to be changed for a mere 0,4% difference in the various measurements. :roll: People might argue about small variations to the Camino which have taken over time, but once one arrives after the full walk into Santiago, a debate over one km more or less is the last thing that might come to one's mind. :D
 
fraluchi said:
... People might argue about small variations to the Camino which have taken over time, but once one arrives after the full walk into Santiago, a debate over one km more or less is the last thing that might come to one's mind.

I certainly agree witn fraluchi! Each time I arrive all want to do is sit down. Another measurement discrepancy is this along the CF in Galicia as noted in the CSJ Guide 2004 . "After leaving Laguna de Castilla you will encounter the first Galician concrete waymarkers showing the distance to Santiago every 500 metres. For whatever reason they are 2km short until you reach Lavacolla."

Remember that to err is human.

Margaret Meredith
 
Get a spanish phone number with Airalo. eSim, so no physical SIM card. Easy to use app to add more funds if needed.
2km error: that make sense because in Lavacolla, the camino turns around the runway of the airport. Before airplanes and runways were invented, it seems that the camino went straight ahead.
 
mspath said:
fraluchi said:
... People might argue about small variations to the Camino which have taken over time, but once one arrives after the full walk into Santiago, a debate over one km more or less is the last thing that might come to one's mind.

I certainly agree witn fraluchi! Each time I arrive all want to do is sit down. Another measurement discrepancy is this along the CF in Galicia as noted in the CSJ Guide 2004 . "After leaving Laguna de Castilla you will encounter the first Galician concrete waymarkers showing the distance to Santiago every 500 metres. For whatever reason they are 2km short until you reach Lavacolla."

Remember that to err is human.

Margaret Meredith

This 'distance debate' even more interesting than I expected it to be :)
I agree with you both though, the minor discrepancies aren't very important in comparison to the entire journey. I'm really looking forward to it!
 
There is a stone marker on the Napoleon Route, shortly before the French-Spanish border, that says Santiago is 768 kms away. Apparently when you reach the sign in Roncesvalles - 790 kms to go - you have lost a lot of ground!

How far one walks also depends on which of the alternative routes one takes. The trail splits several times - in the meseta after Sahagun, after Leon at Virgen del Camino, at and just after Villafranco del Bierzo, and at Triacastela, to name a few.
 
New Original Camino Gear Designed Especially with The Modern Peregrino In Mind!
russellg99 said:
I'll be having my picture taken in front of that sign one week from today - can't wait! :) http://goo.gl/maps/YCqw0 Russell
You hope! I hope it isn't raining so hard you have to leave your camera deep in your pack :)
Buen Camino!
Margaret
 
There was once a small hand painted sign in the shape of an airplane coming out of Uterga just down the hill at the crossroads reading Santiago 747 kilometers. The Chemin Le Puy has an amazing array of signs posting any number of incorrect distances to Santiago which also may be ignored. In my humble opinion the only distances which are important are those you read about 1530 indicating direction and distance to your bed and dinner. The rest are charming but do not really serve any purpose.
 
The focus is on reducing the risk of failure through being well prepared. 2nd ed.
My favorite photo of that notorious sign...Catherine from Switzerland from the last group I led...
 

Attachments

  • DSCN9028.JPG
    DSCN9028.JPG
    86.5 KB · Views: 828
As promised, I finally got my picture next to the sign I've seen so many times from other people! :) And yes, it was raining. It's still raining.
 

Attachments

  • ImageUploadedByCamino de Santiago Forum1369244720.065878.jpg
    ImageUploadedByCamino de Santiago Forum1369244720.065878.jpg
    93.2 KB · Views: 628
Down bag (90/10 duvet) of 700 fills with 180 g (6.34 ounces) of filling. Mummy-shaped structure, ideal when you are looking for lightness with great heating performance.

€149,-
Great to see Russell. At least it wasn't raining so hard you couldn't even think of using a camera! I hope the season starts to show a bit more normal summer for you and others somewhere/sometime before you reach Santiago.
Margaret
 
Transport luggage-passengers.
From airports to SJPP
Luggage from SJPP to Roncevalles

Most read last week in this forum

My name is Henrik and I will be coming down to SJPdP from Sweden on March 26 and start walking on March 27. I don't really have any experience and I'm not the best at planning and I'm a little...
When I hiked the Frances Route this happened. I was hiking in the afternoon just east of Arzua. I was reserved a bed at an albergue in Arzua, so I had already hiked all the way from San Xulien...
I'd like some recommendations about where to find the most current and up to date information about albergues that are actually open. I'm currently walking the camino Frances, and I can't even...
I am finalizing my packing list for Frances, and do not want to over pack. (I am 71) I will be starting at SJPdP on April 25th to Roncesvalles and forward. I was hoping on some advise as to...
First marker starting from Albergue Monasterio de la Magdalena in Sarria (113.460 km) Start: 2023.9.29 07:22 Arrival: 2023.9.30 13:18 walking time : 26 hours 47 minutes rest time : 3 hours 8...
A local Navarra website has posted a set of photos showing today's snowfall in the area around Roncesvalles. About 15cm of snow fell this morning surprising pilgrims on the way...

❓How to ask a question

How to post a new question on the Camino Forum.

Forum Rules

Forum Rules

Camino Updates on YouTube

Camino Conversations

Most downloaded Resources

This site is run by Ivar at

in Santiago de Compostela.
This site participates in the Amazon Affiliate program, designed to provide a means for Ivar to earn fees by linking to Amazon
Official Camino Passport (Credential) | 2024 Camino Guides
Back
Top