St Jean Pied de Port - walking stick required?

[gordo_88]

Hi!

My girlfriend and I are walking 5 days of the Camino Frances starting in Saint Jean Pied de Port next week - we are very excited! Just wondering would it be advisable to source a walking stick in Saint Jean Pied de Port for the first day of walking to Roncesvalle? Ideally we would prefer to do it without a stick but are happy to follow advice on this topic.

Any other tips are welcome also for this section of the Camino!

I walked Sarria to Santiago de Compostela 2 years ago and enjoyed it so looking forward to more good experiences on the Camino!

Thanks everyone!

 

[Glenshiro]

As always, a matter of personal choice. I use a trekking pole when walking in the UK, and was very glad of its support on the steeper sections of the road to Orisson (and beyond.) Apart from being useful to lean on to catch my breath, it has saved me from falling more times than I care to think. If you don't want to take one, you can buy a walking stick in SJPdP.

As for other advice, the main bit I would give is to take the road down to Roncesvalles, when you reach it, and not the (steep and slippery) track through the forest.

Have a great time!

 

[Former member 83265]

I appreciated my trekking poles on the uphill portion, but they would not have been totally necessary. On the way down, I REALLY appreciated my trekking poles. They absorbed shock that otherwise would have to be absorbed by my ankles and knees. I could have managed without them, but would have probably had to slow down / take more rest days later. Do your ankles and knees a favor - use trekking poles. If you’re super-fit you would not need them (and you would probably not be asking your question). My ankles and knees were “trained” by keeping them safely under a desk in my office throughout my career. I’m VERY glad I was not “too tough”, and that I used trekking poles. FWIW.

 

[Casserole]

I did the first few days out of SJPdP without a stick or poles. It was do able, but it was game changing when I got a stick, and then later on, a pole.

 

[gordo_88]

Lots of food for thought there! Thanks everyone for your responses!

 

[trecile]

Not necessary, but helpful

 

[Sho]

Good store(s) for reasonably priced trekking poles in SJPP?

 

[Deleted member 67185]

Hi!

My girlfriend and I are walking 5 days of the Camino Frances starting in Saint Jean Pied de Port next week - we are very excited! Just wondering would it be advisable to source a walking stick in Saint Jean Pied de Port for the first day of walking to Roncesvalle? Ideally we would prefer to do it without a stick but are happy to follow advice on this topic.

Any other tips are welcome also for this section of the Camino!

I walked Sarria to Santiago de Compostela 2 years ago and enjoyed it so looking forward to more good experiences on the Camino!

Thanks everyone!

Unless you have gotten used to them ahead of time, I would skip trying to use them as there is a learning curve for many folks. They are worth using, but I would invest the time now to practice with them and THEN decide whether or not to use them on Camino.

 

[Telboyo]

Unless you have gotten used to them ahead of time, I would skip trying to use them as there is a learning curve for many folks. They are worth using, but I would invest the time now to practice with them and THEN decide whether or not to use them on Camino.

I agree, I brought poles with me from the UK but did not use them for the first 8 days because I could not get the rhythm or the length right. I only started using them seriously when my feet were so sore I could hardly put my feet on the ground. After 2 days of rest in Burgos I started using them on the flat, what a difference they make I feel like my arms are helping me walk. I can't wait for a hill so I can try them out.

 

[Albertagirl]

I bought a walking stick (wooden) in St Jean pied de Port and found it useful for the climb over the Pyrenees and onward, especially for steep climbs, up or down. A wooden stick may be easier for some to get accustomed to. I had used one previously, in the mountains of Canada, so was already used to them.

 

[josephmcclain]

Would highly recommend two. Take a look at a UTube tutorial. I also posted here under miscellaneous a guide to using poles. If you use them correctly they are amazing. Give it try!

 

[rick0cm]

Good store(s) for reasonably priced trekking poles in SJPP?

We recently bought reasonable, 3 section poles for 10 euros each at Boutique de Perelin on SJPP. It's a block from the Pilgrim office on Rue de la Citadelle.

 

[Rover]

Hi!

My girlfriend and I are walking 5 days of the Camino Frances starting in Saint Jean Pied de Port next week - we are very excited! Just wondering would it be advisable to source a walking stick in Saint Jean Pied de Port for the first day of walking to Roncesvalle? Ideally we would prefer to do it without a stick but are happy to follow advice on this topic.

Any other tips are welcome also for this section of the Camino!

I walked Sarria to Santiago de Compostela 2 years ago and enjoyed it so looking forward to more good experiences on the Camino!

Thanks everyone!

I generally walk/hike with trekking poles however when I did the Camino 3 years ago I opted to walk without them and GLAD I did . . . still, that said, there were downslopes I wish I had them. Go figure! For only 5 days I say pass and free yourself of carrying them.

 

[kdespot]

Just echoing the other pilgrim wisdom here... poles are nice for the long uphill climb through the pass, but you'll really appreciate them when you're very tired and you hit the downhill coming into Roncesvalles. Overall, poles are handy in several rocky spots coming out of the Pyrenees. Even on the flats, they take some of the burden off your legs which is nice when you walk 20-30km/day. I never used them before walking the Camino but now I'm a true believer.

 

[trecile]

I figure why should my legs be doing all the work for 800km while my arms just dangle?
I want to keep my arms toned while I'm on the Camino, and I'm usually not inclined to do push-ups at the end of the day.

 

[Stivandrer]

I bought a pair of Leki Vario´s, totally collapsible, just in case for my first camino.
Turned out that they are indispensable in any respect,
If in doubt, SJPdP is awash with eqipment, top quality and cheap, so if in doubt, buy some cheap sets and donate them to the last albergue before heading home...
As I recall there might even be some wooden ones on sale...
I personally think they are a great help over the Pyrenees, especially going down !
My knees approve of this message !!

 

[efdoucette]

Also good for shooing dogs

 

[longwalker60]

Hi!

My girlfriend and I are walking 5 days of the Camino Frances starting in Saint Jean Pied de Port next week - we are very excited! Just wondering would it be advisable to source a walking stick in Saint Jean Pied de Port for the first day of walking to Roncesvalle? Ideally we would prefer to do it without a stick but are happy to follow advice on this topic.

Any other tips are welcome also for this section of the Camino!

I walked Sarria to Santiago de Compostela 2 years ago and enjoyed it so looking forward to more good experiences on the Camino!

Thanks everyone!

Hell yes...you better have something. I had treking poles, and thank God I did. The first day, from SJPP is one of the most difficult, as hard as the walk was uphill, it was just as difficult downhill. There are portions on the downhill side-old roman rds, that if you fall, a good possibility if the weather is bad, or you slip, you camino adventure is done. Have poles or a staff, like insurance, you might not need it, but if you have it, you will be glad you did. Buen Camino!

 

[Roni]

Hi!

My girlfriend and I are walking 5 days of the Camino Frances starting in Saint Jean Pied de Port next week - we are very excited! Just wondering would it be advisable to source a walking stick in Saint Jean Pied de Port for the first day of walking to Roncesvalle? Ideally we would prefer to do it without a stick but are happy to follow advice on this topic.

Any other tips are welcome also for this section of the Camino!

I walked Sarria to Santiago de Compostela 2 years ago and enjoyed it so looking forward to more good experiences on the Camino!

Thanks everyone!

My husband and I walked the Camino Francis last year all the way to Finesterra, so glad that we had walking poles ! A must for the up and down hills

 

[IcEaNa]

I bought a pair of Leki Vario´s, totally collapsible, just in case for my first camino.
Turned out that they are indispensable in any respect,
If in doubt, SJPdP is awash with eqipment, top quality and cheap, so if in doubt, buy some cheap sets and donate them to the last albergue before heading home...
As I recall there might even be some wooden ones on sale...
I personally think they are a great help over the Pyrenees, especially going down !
My knees approve of this message !!

Hello! Wld u happen to know the price range of the trekking poles in SJPdP? I'm thinking whether it's better to buy and travel with them there or to buy it at SJPDP itself...

 

[Sho]

18€ and up for a pair at the pilgrim boutique in SJPP.

 

[longwalker60]

Hello! Wld u happen to know the price range of the trekking poles in SJPdP? I'm thinking whether it's better to buy and travel with them there or to buy it at SJPDP itself...

Poles were fairly inexpensive in SPJP, my poles broke on the way over, so glad i had them.