10 Days to Go..

[Danielle Dauvin]

Hello fellow pilgrims!
I am flying to Biarritz next Friday, 5th May and will be travelling to St Jean the same day. Is anyone else also travelling the same day and would like to meet up and travel together?
The excitement is setting in, along with the nerves of travelling alone for the first time at 20, but all in all it can't come quick enough!
My pack is weighing in at 7.2kg at the moment, so I'm hoping that this won't be too heavy for me, its just over 10% of my body weight?
Ive seen on the forum that Roncesvalles are limiting numbers, and just wondering if anyone has any advice what to do.. I wanted to walk from SJPDP to Roncesvalles on day 1, but also wanted the option of stopping if it felt necessary, so I'm unsure whether to book in advance.
If anyone else is going to be on the route around this time please say hi, would be great to have people to look out for!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

If you don't reserve Orisson, you probably won't get a bed. It is only a couple of hours after SJPdP, so it is nowhere near halfway. On the Valcarlos route, Valcarlos is about halfway. It has an albergue that always seems to have space. I don't think Roncesvalles limits numbers, but it can run out of beds. I doubt you will have a problem early in May. Most pilgrims walk all the way from SJPdP to Roncesvalles, so it is quite doable. There is no stopping point after Orisson or Valcarlos.

 

[Danielle Dauvin]

If you don't reserve Orisson, you probably won't get a bed. It is only a couple of hours after SJPdP, so it is nowhere near halfway. On the Valcarlos route, Valcarlos is about halfway. It has an albergue that always seems to have space. I don't think Roncesvalles limits numbers, but it can run out of beds. I doubt you will have a problem early in May. Most pilgrims walk all the way from SJPdP to Roncesvalles, so it is quite doable. There is no stopping point after Orisson or Valcarlos.

Thank you for your help, would you therefore recommend reserving a bed at Roncesvalles on Saturday 6th May online to save any problems if they run out of beds?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

would you therefore recommend reserving a bed at Roncesvalles on Saturday 6th May online

That will give you peace of mind even if it is not necessary (which you won't know until you get there)!

 

[kayagee66]

Hi. If you reserve you won't feel the need to rush in case you miss out on a bed.
I would recommend stopping for a drink and/or something to eat at Orisson, there will be many others stopping for the same and it is a chance to meet and talk to others. If the weather is good the views from the terrace are great. It's a nice place to recharge, even if only for a little while.
When you get to Orisson don't worry if you are feeling the strain. The bit from St Jean to there is probably the hardest part of the day.
Personally i love the walk crossing the Pyrenees. Slightly jealous of you carrying 7.2kg. I carried double that 1st time, but when i walked that day again i carried a lot less and felt like i was flying up the hills.

 

[Kent Davis]

Depending on your pace, the first day will probably be somewhere between 6-8 hours to go from SJPP to Roncesvalles ; if you are prepared to walk a little further to Burguette; less than 5k, there are other hotels and Auberges which would most likely have space. You can most likely contact a place in Roncesvalles and secure a room and it will cost you no more than waiting and counting that rooms are available. So, you can ,make it very predictable for day 1 or take some chances; you should probably take into consideration you will be a bit tired after reaching Roncesvalles.

 

[Danielle Dauvin]

Hi. If you reserve you won't feel the need to rush in case you miss out on a bed.
I would recommend stopping for a drink and/or something to eat at Orisson, there will be many others stopping for the same and it is a chance to meet and talk to others. If the weather is good the views from the terrace are great. It's a nice place to recharge, even if only for a little while.
When you get to Orisson don't worry if you are feeling the strain. The bit from St Jean to there is probably the hardest part of the day.
Personally i love the walk crossing the Pyrenees. Slightly jealous of you carrying 7.2kg. I carried double that 1st time, but when i walked that day again i carried a lot less and felt like i was flying up the hills.

I think that's what I'll do then - book in advance for Roncesvalles and take it slow on the way stopping at Orisson
I don't think I would be able to pick up anything heavier than my pack at the moment, I just need to be careful to not panic pack the day before I leave - thats usually my problem haha!

 

[Danielle Dauvin]

Depending on your pace, the first day will probably be somewhere between 6-8 hours to go from SJPP to Roncesvalles ; if you are prepared to walk a little further to Burguette; less than 5k, there are other hotels and Auberges which would most likely have space. You can most likely contact a place in Roncesvalles and secure a room and it will cost you no more than waiting and counting that rooms are available. So, you can ,make it very predictable for day 1 or take some chances; you should probably take into consideration you will be a bit tired after reaching Roncesvalles.

I wanted to go with the second choice and take some chances, but upon reflection I think I may book in advance to save my weary limbs on the first day, I don't want to over do it. Thank you for your help

 

[Caminokiwi]

Hi Danielle, I fly into Biarittz on the 5th of May and have joined the 1pm express bericot service pickup to Sjpdp, I believe 4 others are being collected also. I arrive early in the morning 8.25. I plan to start walking the following morning and have booked a bed at Orrisson for the 6th and at roncellvarles for the 7th.
Jacqueline 48 walking on my own

 

[Danielle Dauvin]

Hi Jacqueline, unfortunately my plane doesn't arrive until 17.05 on the 5th May, so I will be into SJPDP much later that same day. How did you find out how many people would be using the express bericot service? Hopefully our paths cross at some point

 

[Caminokiwi]

I emailed them via a link to their website on another thread, asking them if they had any booking for the 5th. They replied within 12 hours

 

[Danielle Dauvin]

Thanks for your help - I will give this a try

 

[kayagee66]

I think that's what I'll do then - book in advance for Roncesvalles and take it slow on the way stopping at Orisson
I don't think I would be able to pick up anything heavier than my pack at the moment, I just need to be careful to not panic pack the day before I leave - thats usually my problem haha!

Many people are nervous before they set off. Me too. Every time. Try to think positive. You're gonna love it.

 

[bobkorzo]

I think that's what I'll do then - book in advance for Roncesvalles and take it slow on the way stopping at Orisson
I don't think I would be able to pick up anything heavier than my pack at the moment, I just need to be careful to not panic pack the day before I leave - thats usually my problem haha!

I think that's what I'll do then - book in advance for Roncesvalles and take it slow on the way stopping at Orisson
I don't think I would be able to pick up anything heavier than my pack at the moment, I just need to be careful to not panic pack the day before I leave - thats usually my problem haha!

If you have time in your schedule stopping at Orisson on day 1 is a luxury. The communal meal in the evening is a great way to meet 40 new friends and you can have a more relaxing start. your second day can push past Roncesvalles and you would have broken up what can be a difficult (but beautiful) day one in the mountains. Either way you are in for a great treat. Been Camino.

 

[Danielle Dauvin]

If you have time in your schedule stopping at Orisson on day 1 is a luxury. The communal meal in the evening is a great way to meet 40 new friends and you can have a more relaxing start. your second day can push past Roncesvalles and you would have broken up what can be a difficult (but beautiful) day one in the mountains. Either way you are in for a great treat. Been Camino.

I quit my job 2 weeks ago so have all the time in the world Thank you for your help!