templarsoul
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances (SJPP to Fisterra) (June/July 2015)
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The cost probably reflects the capital involved in building and maintaining the gite - and market forces. This is a very isolated location and I remember before it was built - absolutely nothing was there. No shelter, no services, no power, no water. It was a great relief when it was built. In my one and only stay there I found the owner charming. He has in the past been very good about guiding pilgrims over the pass when the ground was covered with snow - and transported them to Valcarlos when the Route Napoleon was impassable. I guess things change over time.
Kayola, further down the hill and owned by the same people, is the only other place I know of near Orisson. I'd be interested to know if there is a new Gite being built. Otherwise there is Huntto, which is only a few km out of SJPDP.
Valcarlos was the original route.Thanks to all for the feedback! Valcarlos would be easier, but being a history buff, there is no other way than the Route Napolean (unless the family votes me down ... which I doubt!) I guess it is Orrisson for us, thanks again!
Having walked both routes I can say they are both beautiful ways to cross the Pyrenees. I don't know why more people don't do the Valcarlos. Yes, it is flatter, but about tw0-thirds of the way to Roncesvalles it gets quite steep and a bit laborious, but you walk through some beautiful woods and cross and see nice streams. It seems most people do the Napolean route because that's what's recommended in the guide books, which is too bad. I can't say one is more difficult than the other and it took me about the same amount of time to get to Roncesvalles on both.Welcome to the forum Lloyd. You could always walk the Valcarlos route, a very beautiful route too but not as hard a walk. There is an albergue in Valcarlos which is supposed to be very good. I have not stayed there as I walked to Roncevalles in one day via this route.
Have a look at this thread.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/sjpp-to-roncesvalles-–-in-praise-of-the-lower-route.16075/#post-113568
Very true. Charlemagne used it to move his troops centuries before Napoleon used the other route for his.Valcarlos was the original route.
They also offer up a sandwich for the next day. For a minimal cost, it is worth its weight in gold when you need it.When you consider that supper and breakfast are included, it's not really overpriced.
.......... "GO TO SPAIN! GO TO SPAIN!" I liked him!
True that. You ain't buying the place.Had a great night there - and was extremely glad I didn't walk all the way to Roncesvalles that day. I think it's good value. I'd also say relax about the quality of where you stay - wherever you stay it's only for one night, and if you hate it you'll have a story to tell.
My wife and I walked in Sep/Oct 2013. Realizing too late we'd not make it to Roncevalles as we'd planned, we phoned Orisson and were told there was no room. 10 minutes later they phoned back to tell us they would transport us by car to another alburgue then bring us back to Orisson in the morning. When arrived, they changed the plan and had set up tents behind the inn. The stay was one of the best of our entire trek. The staff was friendly and very accommodating.Hello!
Booked airline tickets for our family today and see that a dream of two years is now only 8 months away! I've read that Orisson has friendly employees, but overall consensus seems the owner is the exception. Also, it doesn't hold many pilgrims, and it is overpriced. Correct me if I'm wrong. I wondered if there is an alternative, besides camping (if that is even allowed)? I had read that another place was under construction last year that is fairly close to Orisson. Does anyone have any info about the new place?
Thanks in advance!
Lloyd
My wife and I walked in Sep/Oct 2013. Realizing too late we'd not make it to Roncevalles as we'd planned, we phoned Orisson and were told there was no room. 10 minutes later they phoned back to tell us they would transport us by car to another alburgue then bring us back to Orisson in the morning. When arrived, they changed the plan and had set up tents behind the inn. The stay was one of the best of our entire trek. The staff was friendly and very accommodating.
Indeed, September 9 it was! We were so happy to have that tent! The meals and camaraderie are unforgettable.Rick, I must have met you and your wife at Orisson as I also stayed on September 9, 2013. You lost me soon after that tho, as I didn't see SdC until October 21.
Hmmmm.... My night in Orisson was one of the best on the Camino. If I walk the French route again, I'd happily stay there again. I found it good value, considering where they are, as well as market forces. Finally, the owner did lose his temper in front of me at one point. Four young girls insisted that they be given beds that other people had reserved ahead of time. This was around 1:00pm and the owners said they could wait if they wanted but he would not free up the beds unless the other pilgrims didn't arrive by late in the afternoon. The girls lost their cool and patience so the owner did too. He dismissed them with a line that I and many other pilgrims came to use for the next month: "GO TO SPAIN! GO TO SPAIN!" I liked him!
I can understand that you are probably very anxious to get this settled, but it is still early days yet in November; I'm sure you will hear back before long. Sometimes I have to remind myself that not everyone operates on 'city' time. Hope this helps.I've emailed him twice to reserve and he hasn't responded. I'm so afraid that I might have offended him. He said to write back in November. It's November! :/
Go to Spain!!!! Actually, remember what people have said, sometimes it takes a while (even a week or two) for him to get around to replying. Don't give up hope yet, unless you are leaving for there in a few days.I've emailed him twice to reserve and he hasn't responded. I'm so afraid that I might have offended him. He said to write back in November. It's November! :/
My wife and I walked in Sep/Oct 2013. Realizing too late we'd not make it to Roncevalles as we'd planned, we phoned Orisson and were told there was no room. 10 minutes later they phoned back to tell us they would transport us by car to another alburgue then bring us back to Orisson in the morning. When arrived, they changed the plan and had set up tents behind the inn. The stay was one of the best of our entire trek. The staff was friendly and very accommodating.
We stayed at Valcarlos last month and made the trip to Roncesvalles in two days. The scenery is quite nice from SJPP to Roncesvalles, although there is some walking on a somewhat dangerous twisty mountain road between Valcarlos and Roncesvalles. The municipal albergue in Valcarlos is quite nice (and quite empty when we were there), with a good kitchen. They even take reservations! The town of Valcarlos is quiet, but has everything you will need for a pleasant overnight stay. Buen Camino.Hello!
Booked airline tickets for our family today and see that a dream of two years is now only 8 months away! I've read that Orisson has friendly employees, but overall consensus seems the owner is the exception. Also, it doesn't hold many pilgrims, and it is overpriced. Correct me if I'm wrong. I wondered if there is an alternative, besides camping (if that is even allowed)? I had read that another place was under construction last year that is fairly close to Orisson. Does anyone have any info about the new place?
Thanks in advance!
Lloyd
I had the same concerns when I was making plans for my spring Camino last year. See my post (#156) in the following threat for how I dealt with the refund.I start walking from St Jean April 15th. I have thought about stopping at Orisson. However, at that time of year that route could possibly be closed so I am reluctant to book in advance and with 35 days ahead of me, I wont be in a position to get a refund. Not sure what to do
Orrisson is an amazing spot. I found the owner pleasant. ...both in emails and in person.
"Some" pilgrams can be a bit demanding. I observed (at another albergue ) two women demanding that the church bell (which was close by) be switched off so they could sleep. It did not go down well with the Albergee owner.....or the rest of us.
Some people walk to Orrisson and then taxi back to St jean....stay the night and then taxi back to Orrisson to walk to Roncesvalles the following morning.
I was very happy with the price. My bed was soooo comfortable. The shower hot....the clothesline in the sun (a rarity at times) the evening meal a highlight. ..breakfast was wonderful.
But the view!!!!! Oh my gosh.....to sit on that deck with a freshly squeezed orange juice was simply magical.
Orisson was for me well worth the expense. Not only was I made welcome I also found through the shared excitement and anticipation with other pilgrims that I was not alone in being anxious.
That first night was precious for me. It gave me a sense of comfort, belonging and companionship. Some of the people I met at Orisson became my Camino familyfor my entire Camino.
Personally speaking, I cannot be critical in any way of Orisson, the owner or staff.
I had to e-mail twice, but he did eventually respond. Based on all the great feedback, I went ahead an put a deposit on room/rooms for our family. He was very friendly in his responses and I now look forward to our stay.I've emailed him twice to reserve and he hasn't responded. I'm so afraid that I might have offended him. He said to write back in November. It's November! :/
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