Valcarlos

[Dave C.]

Short walk from SJPdP to Valcarlos today. Rained off/on with some strong winds at times. 9 PM and it appears my son and I have the Municipal Alb. to ourselves.
As always, a GREAT day on the Camino (and I think my son has “the fever”).
Another short day tomorrow, only to Roncesvalles, I want my son to experience the Pilgrim blessing.
Then on to Zubiri the next day.
Very few Pilgrims, maybe the time of year and weather. Walked with a guy from Detroit and Holland. Met two Australians at dinner.
Buen Camino

 

[RJM]

I really like that little town of ValCarlos and that albergue there is nice and I had a good stay there. Allowed me to sleep in, leave Saint Jean around noon, walk relaxed and arrived there with plenty of time before dinner. Was only six of us I believe in the albergue and that was in the middle of the popular season.

 

[Colette Z]

I loved Valcarlos and the albergue in mid March 2018.....felt bad for the rescue guys (one who came to lay out our breakfast supplies) as some Brazilian boys needed rescuing that same wet night up on the Napoleon route. I’m glad that they’ve made it an illegal act to take the Napoleon route when it’s officially closed.....a few big fines to reinforce that they’re serious. Buen Camino and enjoy!

 

[Dave C.]

Another wet, windy short day. At Roncesvalles for the night. They are expecting snow here in a couple of days.

 

[Dave C.]

Made it to Zubiri!! A lot of rain today and VERY cold. Saw quite a few pilgrims today considering the weather.

 

[Dave C.]

View attachment 66525View attachment 66525

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I love the Valcarlos route and have stayed in the pleasant albergue twice. A very relaxing experience with few other pigrims both times.

 

[Deleted member 61803]

I enjoyed Valcarlos. The Village is very interesting, great food shops and the albergue was good.

I liked the idea that I was following the original route rather than the more modernist Route Napoleon.

To each, their own, though.

 

[Gumba]

Hi Dave C, we will be a few weeks behind you so am following with interest! Do you have a blog I can follow? I for one would love details!!!

Buen Camino

 

[Former member 59618]

Absolutely loved the Valcarlos route. The albergue was clean and spacious, had a great kitchen and a fantastic view of the hillside.

 

[Anniesantiago]

Has anyone here walked BOTH routes?
I have a lady in 2021 who is afraid to walk the Napoleon because of the inclines and declines.
How much different/easier is the Valcarlos route?

 

[Former member 59618]

Has anyone here walked BOTH routes?
I have a lady in 2021 who is afraid to walk the Napoleon because of the inclines and declines.
How much different/easier is the Valcarlos route?

I’ve walked both. The Valcarlos route can also be split up into two days like the Napoleon. The first day is absolutely lovely, with a climb up into the town. The next day to Roncevalles is a tough climb, mostly continuous uphill with a brief downhill into the village. I specifically chose to do this route because the Napoleon has the 5KM downhill and I just wasn’t in the mood for it this time. I wouldn’t say it’s necessarily easier, but easier on the knees. Also, MUCH less pilgrims with the Valcarlos route, something I preferred, having already walked from Le Puy and enjoying the quiet.

 

[RJM]

Has anyone here walked BOTH routes?
I have a lady in 2021 who is afraid to walk the Napoleon because of the inclines and declines.
How much different/easier is the Valcarlos route?

I have walked both routes multiple times. Do not have a favorite, but if one is looking at it in the sense of inclines and declines, the Valcarlos has less overall. It does have that steep section the last third of the way as you are going into Roncesvalles.
The Valcarlos route does require a lot of walking along the roadway and while not as busy as a rally race, you still need to keep your ears and eyes open for traffic.

 

[The 5 McC's]

Has anyone here walked BOTH routes?
I have a lady in 2021 who is afraid to walk the Napoleon because of the inclines and declines.
How much different/easier is the Valcarlos route?

Hi we walked both routes and if given a choice I’d walk the Napoleon. We absol loved it. Where as we did not like the Valcarlos route. We found the road very dangerous and stressful with the fear of heights and no barrier in places along the road. The mist was down and we were using torches but still the fear of the lorries coming at speed. The Napoleon was lovely if you give yourself plenty of time walk slowly and enjoy the scenery.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I think the weather plays a significant role on how much either route is to be enjoyable.
So many speak of the dangerous road on the Valcarlos' first day. I recall it being a relatively short stretch and had no problem the two times I've walked to V.

 

[The 5 McC's]

I think the weather plays a significant role on how much either route is to be enjoyable.
So many speak of the dangerous road on the Valcarlos' first day. I recall it being a relatively short stretch and had no problem the two times I've walked to V.

Sorry I found it more dangerous on the stretch from valcarlos to roncesvalles

 

[Anniesantiago]

Hi we walked both routes and if given a choice I’d walk the Napoleon. We absol loved it. Where as we did not like the Valcarlos route. We found the road very dangerous and stressful with the fear of heights and no barrier in places along the road. The mist was down and we were using torches but still the fear of the lorries coming at speed. The Napoleon was lovely if you give yourself plenty of time walk slowly and enjoy the scenery.

I've walked the Napoleon about 20 times ::: but never taken the Valcarlos route.
Some day . . .

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

Last year, in early May, I took the Valcarlos route as I had gone the Napolean Way two years before. The Valcarlos Albergue was wonderful after walking from SJPP. And, even though it was the beginning of the busy season, there were only four of us that night, myself from Canada, one lady from USA and two young ladies from France. Very, very enjoyable all round.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

Last year, in early May, I took the Valcarlos route as I had gone the Napolean Way two years before. The Valcarlos Albergue was wonderful after walking from SJPP. And, even though it was the beginning of the busy season, there were only four of us that night, myself from Canada, one lady from USA and two young ladies from France. Very, very enjoyable all round.

Agree! A very nice experience and I loved the nice big bathroom, too!

 

[jpflavin1]

Has anyone here walked BOTH routes?
I have a lady in 2021 who is afraid to walk the Napoleon because of the inclines and declines.
How much different/easier is the Valcarlos route?

I have walked both routes. The major differences are:

The start of the ValCarlos route is not as steep as the Napoleon route.

Valcarlos is 11 km's from SJPdP with accommodation.

There are restaurants and a grocery store in Val Carlos if you forgot anything.

The remainder of the route is steep but not as steep as the Napoleon.

Ultreya,
Joe

 

[Anniesantiago]

I have walked both routes. The major differences are:

The start of the ValCarlos route is not as steep as the Napoleon route.

Valcarlos is 11 km's from SJPdP with accommodation.

There are restaurants and a grocery store in Val Carlos if you forgot anything.

The remainder of the route is steep but not as steep as the Napoleon.

Ultreya,
Joe

And how many k from Valcarlos to Roncesvalles?
I have a client with bad knees. She doesn't want to attempt the Napoleon.
Would the Valcarlos route be any easier for her?

 

[jpflavin1]

And how many k from Valcarlos to Roncesvalles?
I have a client with bad knees. She doesn't want to attempt the Napoleon.
Would the Valcarlos route be any easier for her?

Annie:

The section to Valcarlos is definitely easier. I would estimate 15km's to 17 km's to Roncesvalles. Difficulty from Valcarlos is about the same as Napoleon. I walked from SJPdP to Espinal the first day. Easy is in the mind of the walker. They could stick to the Highway and a taxi might be an option if to difficult.

Joe