Messed up my timings...

[Cbok82]

So I've booked flights to Biarritz on 10th of October to walk part way from SJPDP and flying home from Madrid on 15th October.

My original idea was to walk SJPDP to Pamplona but in my stupidity I've realised I actually have 4 days walking rather than 3 and will be in Pamplona by the 13th rather than 14th

So I guess my question is, should I stop at Orrisson on day 1? Meaning I still finish in Pamplona? Or should I continue walking on to Puente La Reina on my last day?? Also is Orrisson even open at that time of year??

 

[trecile]

According to their website, Orisson is open April to October.

REFUGE ORISSON | THE WAY OF ST JAMES | CAMINO DE SANTIAGO

Located in the heart of the Basque Country, on the GR65, between Saint Jean Pied de Port and the Bentarte Pass, REFUGE ORISSON is an ideal stopover before reaching the Lepoeder pass. It is the last accommodation before crossing the Pyrénées. Orisson’s position on route towards Roncesvalles...

refuge-orisson.com

You could spend a night there, walk on to Puente la Reina, or spend a tourist day in Pamplona.

 

[jefferyonthecamino]

So I've booked flights to Biarritz on 10th of October to walk part way from SJPDP and flying home from Madrid on 15th October.

My original idea was to walk SJPDP to Pamplona but in my stupidity I've realised I actually have 4 days walking rather than 3 and will be in Pamplona by the 13th rather than 14th

So I guess my question is, should I stop at Orrisson on day 1? Meaning I still finish in Pamplona? Or should I continue walking on to Puente La Reina on my last day?? Also is Orrisson even open at that time of year??

lots of buses back to pamplona from puente; but i'd stay in orisson

 

[Derrybiketours]

I'd also recommend walking from St Jean to Orisson, its around 7.5km and most of its a steady incline and a good introduction to Pyrenees and although short distance it's more than enough for good First day walk. Stop over, meet and greet other Pilgrims, saviour the majestic view and set off the next day towards Roncesvalles, another 18.5km.Allternatively you could spend extra day and night in Madrid if you like to party or take short train ride from Madrid to my favourite Spanish city, Toledo

 

[Kiwi-family]

I'd be taking the extra day in Madrid and visiting some art galleries - but what do YOU like?

 

[Cbok82]

I had thought of the extra night in Madrid, but I guess I'd rather have the extra night on the Camino.

Leaning towards Orisson. I'm walking with my sister, who really has no idea about the Camino and decided to come with me at the last minute. A short day may be best to ease her I'm. But my mindset 8km on day 1 is cheating? I"m aware that it is a difficult ascent and more than likely I wont feel that at the time I walked Sarria- Santiago last Sept...I want to complete the whole thing, but unfortunately for the foreseeable I wont be able to do it all at once...

 

[rappahannock_rev]

A whole extra day that you could spend exploring Pamplona? Dude! You're a winner!

 

[Derrybiketours]

A short day may be best to ease her I'm. But my mindset 8km on day 1 is cheating?

No way is it cheating. I walked my Camino in September last year and was grateful, relieved and exhausted by the time I reached Orisson. It takes a while to adapt and after this I walked three Caminos after one another. Only now in September this year I'm confident and prepared enough to walk the full 26km in one day. Trust me you or your sister won't regret it plus it'll make your short 4 days seem like a week. I cheated last year by taking the bus across the Meseta so I'm back this year as a penance to walk my emotional part of the Camino. Your section is the Physical bit, named for a reason, your soon to find out. Ultreia

 

[Bradypus]

But my mindset 8km on day 1 is cheating?

Certainly not cheating. But probably not necessary either. The vast majority of those who walk the Route Napoleon do the whole stage from SJPDP to Roncesvalles in one day. And the great majority walk the Route Napoleon rather than the Valcarlos route. Orisson can only accommodate about 10% of those who leave SJPDP on a busy day. The rest seem to manage somehow.

 

[KinkyOne]

You can either walk SJPdP to Pamplona in 1 day, or 3 or 10. It's up to you. Just enjoy it

 

[Derrybiketours]

The vast majority of those who walk the Route Napoleon do the whole stage from SJPDP to Roncesvalles in one day.

You make a valid point but only 1 in 4 who start at SJPdP finish in Santiago. I expect the challenging first day puts them off or they pick up an injury that impact's on the remainder of their walk. Obviously other reasons might be deadlines and other travel arrangements. I will be walking it in one day next month for the challenge but still would recommend making it over two days, booking permitted and if not in Orisson then Kayola is another option owned by same owners and if book month in advance can't see there been an issue with availability in October. The Camino is a people path of positive intention so more time you stop, share a pilgrim meal and integrate with so called Camino family the more insight you receive about yourself and others. They'll be lots of time for the internal journey of introspection on long stretches after Roncesvalles but my two days on the Pyrenees were very special

 

[Saint Mike II]

I'd vote for a tourist day in Pamplona. It has a lot of history and at that time of the year all the tourist stuff left over from San Fermin (the running of the bulls) will be around half priced.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

If I made the same mistake I would spend the extra day in Pamplona. On my next CF I wouldn't have a problem spending another day there before setting off for SdC.

 

[Sunrayrob]

I just had dinner out in Wellington with previous and future Camino Frances pilgrims and our consistent advice to those about to do it was stop in Orisson on Day 1. The reason: the camaraderie established at the pilgrims dinner sets you up for the rest of the Camino. Some of the people we met there in 2017 remain our friends today.

 

[André Walker]

Leaning towards Orisson. But my mindset 8km on day 1 is cheating?

Spending a tourist day in Pamplona or Madrid. Cheating?
Walking to Orisson on day 1. Cheating?
Lying on your back by the side of the road just watching the clouds drifting by. Cheating?

Perhaps.

I'd call it 'living'.

 

[AndrewDavOz]

It would only be cheating if there were a set of rules you were supposed to follow. And there is no such set of rules...

 

[FLEUR]

Orisson night stop is a sensible choice as others have advised. Pamplona is a great place and will be buzzing. But if you carried on from there you'd see Alto del Perdon. Choices, choices.

 

[Telboyo]

I had thought of the extra night in Madrid, but I guess I'd rather have the extra night on the Camino.

Leaning towards Orisson. I'm walking with my sister, who really has no idea about the Camino and decided to come with me at the last minute. A short day may be best to ease her I'm. But my mindset 8km on day 1 is cheating? I"m aware that it is a difficult ascent and more than likely I wont feel that at the time I walked Sarria- Santiago last Sept...I want to complete the whole thing, but unfortunately for the foreseeable I wont be able to do it all at once...

8 km on your first day may be considered cheating by some it all depends on your fitness level and dedication to walking. I don't like long waits at the end of the day so I tend to walk long days. On my CF I walked to Espinal on the First day and stayed in Pamplona on my 2nd night. I kept up a similar pace throughout the CF and now I feel lime I cheated my self.

 

[Bradypus]

On my CF I walked to Espinal on the First day and stayed in Pamplona on my 2nd night. I kept up a similar pace throughout the CF and now I feel lime I cheated my self.

Ambitious! I like to walk quite long days too and generally average about 30km per day when on a long-distance route. Unless I was injured or ill I would find it quite hard to stop after only 8km. I have walked the Route Napoleon twice and the idea of stopping at Orisson never once crossed my mind. Of course the fact that both those walks predated the opening of the albergue might have had something to do with that... On my most recent Camino Frances walk I chose to go via Valcarlos for a change.

 

[Telboyo]

Ambitious! I like to walk quite long days too and generally average about 30km per day when on a long-distance route. Unless I was injured or ill I would find it quite hard to stop after only 8km. I have walked the Route Napoleon twice and the idea of stopping at Orisson never once crossed my mind. Of course the fact that both those walks predated the opening of the albergue might have had something to do with that... On my most recent Camino Frances walk I chose to go via Valcarlos for a change.

The last few km on the valcarlos are pretty steep too.

 

[Bradypus]

The last few km on the valcarlos are pretty steep too.

True. I chose to walk via Valcarlos simply because I had already walked the Route Napoleon twice and wanted to try the alternative route. In practice I found little difference in time and effort between the two. Very few people walked the Valcarlos route that day - I saw fewer than a dozen in total between SJPDP and the Ibaneta chapel although well over 400 had left SJPDP that morning. I arrived at Roncesvalles in mid-afternoon to find the place already heaving with people who had taken the higher level route. Having now walked both routes I much prefer the Route Napoleon and if I find myself walking from SJPDP again that is the route I would take.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I just had dinner out in Wellington with previous and future Camino Frances pilgrims and our consistent advice to those about to do it was stop in Orisson on Day 1. The reason: the camaraderie established at the pilgrims dinner sets you up for the rest of the Camino. Some of the people we met there in 2017 remain our friends today.

It may be too late to get a reservation at Orisson. Under the same conditions that the OP said I would seriously doubt that I would stop there myself. Since it is so highly regarded as a place to make long term camino friends and since my walk would only be for a few days why not let someone going the full distance spend the night in Orisson instead?

 

[Turga]

Since it is so highly regarded as a place to make long term camino friends and since my walk would only be for a few days why not let someone going the full distance spend the night in Orisson instead?

Not sure what to think of this implication..... it has a faint scent of "true pilgrim" about it....

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Not sure what to think of this implication..... it has a faint scent of "true pilgrim" about it....

And I'm not sure how to respond to this other than to say that after hiking in the heat and humidity yesterday having just a "faint scent" is a blessing.

 

[John Coleman]

So I've booked flights to Biarritz on 10th of October to walk part way from SJPDP and flying home from Madrid on 15th October.

My original idea was to walk SJPDP to Pamplona but in my stupidity I've realised I actually have 4 days walking rather than 3 and will be in Pamplona by the 13th rather than 14th

So I guess my question is, should I stop at Orrisson on day 1? Meaning I still finish in Pamplona? Or should I continue walking on to Puente La Reina on my last day?? Also is Orrisson even open at that time of year??

Don’t stop in Orrisson. It’s a hard first day but Orrisson is only 5/6 miles from SJPP and by the time you get there, you’ll have the steeped part of the day over. Also, the walk from Pamplona is one of the best days on the Camino - good luck with it.

 

[FLEUR]

If you're not a regular, long distance, rucksack carrying walker then Orisson is a very welcome stopover. Those few miles are tough.

 

[benny aumala]

Orisson itself may be overbooked, but ask for Gite Kayola 800 meters before Orisson.
There are just beds, but supper and breakfast are available in Orisson.
You can book it from Orisson.
Leave the last day open: possible to stay in Pamplona, Madrid or maybe you need it if something
happens. Next airports are anyway Pamplona or Burgos.

 

[trecile]

The secret to walking only 8 km the first day and not feel like you are cheating is to do it in a jet lagged state after traveling for 24-48 hours with little sleep.
And get a late start from St Jean. Have a leisurely breakfast, explore the town and set out no earlier than 11:00. You'll arrive in time to shower, wash your clothes and enjoy a beer or glass of wine with your new pilgrim friends, enjoying the views from the terrace.

 

[Sho]

Granted I was walking in a heat wave and have short little legs, but I was exhausted and stupified by the time I reached Roncesvalles. I'd habe been better served, and might not have lost toenails, if I'd stopped at Orisson.

 

[Kiwi-family]

Well given that you want to keep walking, why not walk on to Puente la Reina and take the bus to Madrid from there?

 

[Denisealldridge]

So I've booked flights to Biarritz on 10th of October to walk part way from SJPDP and flying home from Madrid on 15th October.

My original idea was to walk SJPDP to Pamplona but in my stupidity I've realised I actually have 4 days walking rather than 3 and will be in Pamplona by the 13th rather than 14th

So I guess my question is, should I stop at Orrisson on day 1? Meaning I still finish in Pamplona? Or should I continue walking on to Puente La Reina on my last day?? Also is Orrisson even open at that time of year??

I have walked the Frances route twice , each Time i stopped at Orrisson as it the best fun ever . You meet so many friends and they remain a big part of your walk . They put on an amazing meal , and at the end , each person gets up and introduces themselves and says why they are walking the Camino . I intend on walking this route again when I retire in 4 years , and I will stay here again . Many happy memories .
You have to reserve , but they have a web site now which makes it easier . Bon Camino
Denise

 

[Sue127]

My introduction to the Camino Frances was rather different - when I stayed at Orisson at the beginning of October this year, I had the hostel to myself - a very strange experience after having read about the evenings meeting other pilgrims.