pilgrimleigh
New Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2022 - Camino Frances
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What time of year? Dusk’s variable.The best flight I can find is arriving at Biarritz at 10am. The train from Biarritz to St Jean is around 1.5 hours so I may roughly arrive around midday. Is it safe enough to leave St Jean at 1pm and get to Roncevalles before dusk?
There are also flights into Barcelona and Carcassone (France) but those routes seem even more complicated to get to St Jean.
Welcome, @pilgrimleigh. First miscalculation: Trains to SJPP leave from Bayonne train station, not from Biarritz airport, and they leave at 8:50, 14:35, 17:09, 18:35, and also at 20:14 during the season.The best flight I can find is arriving at Biarritz at 10am. The train from Biarritz to St Jean is around 1.5 hours so I may roughly arrive around midday. Is it safe enough to leave St Jean at 1pm and get to Roncevalles before dusk? There are also flights into Barcelona and Carcassone (France) but those routes seem even more complicated to get to St Jean.
I'm glad you pointed out the timing of the trains!Welcome, @pilgrimleigh. First miscalculation: Trains to SJPP leave from Bayonne train station, not from Biarritz airport, and they leave at 8:50, 14:25, 17:09, 18:35, and also at 20:14 during the season.
Spend the night in SJPP. Start early the next day, just before or after sunrise. You can look up the time of sunrise in SJPP and the time of sunset in Roncesvalles on the internet or in an app for every day of the year. You can calculate the time it takes an average fit walker to walk trails like the one from SJPP to Roncesvalles. Are you average, better or worse on such terrain?
Dusk or no dusk, the large pilgrim albergue in Roncesvalles closes at 10 pm. Their website says: The albergue closes at 10 pm: no entry will be allowed after this time, even if you have a booking. (Bold type is theirs.)
Personally I wouldn’t dream of starting the walk to Roncesvalles already tired from the journey from the UK. (I know it’s only 2hrs on the plane but there’s the waiting around, then the wait for the bus, the train…And if you fly from Gtw you’ve already done a day’s walking just getting to your gateI'm beginning mid to late May, but I havent booked my flights yet.
The alternative is to fly to Barcelona and then get a train to Pamplona and begin there but I did kind of like the idea of walking from France to the end of Spain.
The best flight I can find is arriving at Biarritz at 10am. The train from Biarritz to St Jean is around 1.5 hours so I may roughly arrive around midday. Is it safe enough to leave St Jean at 1pm and get to Roncevalles before dusk?
There are also flights into Barcelona and Carcassone (France) but those routes seem even more complicated to get to St Jean.
Davebugg, what is the site for this 3D google video. I could put this on my screen and walk a vitual Camino all day long
My advice is absolutely not during this time of year.The best flight I can find is arriving at Biarritz at 10am. The train from Biarritz to St Jean is around 1.5 hours so I may roughly arrive around midday. Is it safe enough to leave St Jean at 1pm and get to Roncevalles before dusk?
There are also flights into Barcelona and Carcassone (France) but those routes seem even more complicated to get to St Jean.
The first stage up to Orrison (8km) takes most people around 3 hours at least. Most people doing it for the first time are slightly shocked at the relentless steepness. If you come from a hilly environment you may be used to it, but your legs and lungs will get a work out.The best flight I can find is arriving at Biarritz at 10am. The train from Biarritz to St Jean is around 1.5 hours so I may roughly arrive around midday. Is it safe enough to leave St Jean at 1pm and get to Roncevalles before dusk?
There are also flights into Barcelona and Carcassone (France) but those routes seem even more complicated to get to St Jean.
I agree - Orisson is a good "first day" - organise once again what you really need, are shoes ok etc,Hi, and welcome! I personally wouldn't, it is a very steep and long stage. I'd stay in St Jean and enjoy the buzz, and get going the next day. Or try to book a bed in Orisson or Borda, both are roughly 7-8 kms from St Jean. Also depends on what the Pilgrim office recommends, weather wise. When are you going?
The best flight I can find is arriving at Biarritz at 10am. The train from Biarritz to St Jean is around 1.5 hours so I may roughly arrive around midday. Is it safe enough to leave St Jean at 1pm and get to Roncevalles before dusk?
There are also flights into Barcelona and Carcassone (France) but those routes seem even more complicated to get to St Jean.
I would repeat what I did last year: I flew in to Biarritz (directly from the USA) the morning of August 31st, spent the day and night in Bayonne, slept in and took a noonish train to SJPP, looked around there, went up the fortress, etc. until the pilgrim's office opened after lunch (I wanted a SJPP stamp in my passport!), then left for Orisson about 14:30, where I had a reservation for the night. I did work up a pretty good sweat, but it felt perfect. P.S. I made it to SDC October 1The best flight I can find is arriving at Biarritz at 10am. The train from Biarritz to St Jean is around 1.5 hours so I may roughly arrive around midday. Is it safe enough to leave St Jean at 1pm and get to Roncevalles before dusk?
There are also flights into Barcelona and Carcassone (France) but those routes seem even more complicated to get to St Jean.
Forget about it. It is not happening. Don't even think about it. Enjoy SJPP and get a good sleep and get up in the morning, check the weather if you are going very soon. If it is foul (ask at the Pilgrim office) do Valcarlos and buen camino.The best flight I can find is arriving at Biarritz at 10am. The train from Biarritz to St Jean is around 1.5 hours so I may roughly arrive around midday. Is it safe enough to leave St Jean at 1pm and get to Roncevalles before dusk?
There are also flights into Barcelona and Carcassone (France) but those routes seem even more complicated to get to St Jean.
No, I wouldn't do that. Too rushedThe best flight I can find is arriving at Biarritz at 10am. The train from Biarritz to St Jean is around 1.5 hours so I may roughly arrive around midday. Is it safe enough to leave St Jean at 1pm and get to Roncevalles before dusk?
There are also flights into Barcelona and Carcassone (France) but those routes seem even more complicated to get to St Jean.
Once you get to St. Jean you still need to register at the Camino office. If you wanted to get started I would suggest going to Orrison, gives you a kick start for the next day.The best flight I can find is arriving at Biarritz at 10am. The train from Biarritz to St Jean is around 1.5 hours so I may roughly arrive around midday. Is it safe enough to leave St Jean at 1pm and get to Roncevalles before dusk?
There are also flights into Barcelona and Carcassone (France) but those routes seem even more complicated to get to St Jean.
As someone who has walked from SJPdP (over Napoleon) to Santiago in 17 days, I can very highly recommend slowing right down and taking everything in. There's no need for rushing and speeding to next destination. The Camino itself is the destination.No, I wouldn't do that. Too rushed
You should spend a relaxing night in St Jean, talking in all the atmosphere and making companions, leave at 7am the following morning after breakfast.
Once you get to St. Jean you still need to register at the Camino office.
Yes to everything you say here Larry. I'd include a couple of hours to grab breakfast and to walk the incredible streets of downtown Bayonne in the morningI would repeat what I did last year: I flew in to Biarritz (directly from the USA) the morning of August 31st, spent the day and night in Bayonne, slept in and took a noonish train to SJPP, looked around there, went up the fortress, etc. until the pilgrim's office opened after lunch (I wanted a SJPP stamp in my passport!), then left for Orisson about 14:30, where I had a reservation for the night. I did work up a pretty good sweat, but it felt perfect. P.S. I made it to SDC October 1
I would not attempt the climb after a day of travel. Stay in St Jean and enjoy the mass in the basque language ay the church near the gate. Or exploreThe best flight I can find is arriving at Biarritz at 10am. The train from Biarritz to St Jean is around 1.5 hours so I may roughly arrive around midday. Is it safe enough to leave St Jean at 1pm and get to Roncevalles before dusk?
There are also flights into Barcelona and Carcassone (France) but those routes seem even more complicated to get to St Jean.
Definitely not. I started from St Jean between 7 and 8 am and arrived at Roncesvalles as it was getting dark and that was in mid August. Either stay at Orrison or relax, enjoy St Jean, get your provisions, and start early the next day.The best flight I can find is arriving at Biarritz at 10am. The train from Biarritz to St Jean is around 1.5 hours so I may roughly arrive around midday. Is it safe enough to leave St Jean at 1pm and get to Roncevalles before dusk?
There are also flights into Barcelona and Carcassone (France) but those routes seem even more complicated to get to St Jean.
I was 70 and walked it in a little over 2 hours. Not a bad walk at all. It is a piece of cake when compared to the hill leaving Castrojeriz.One thing to keep in mind here is that you're asking advice from a forum mostly comprised of people much older than you. Some twice your age. Naturally they're going to relate their experience walking from St Jean to Roncesvalles the first day and their level of difficulty doing it. There's no way a 35 year old me would have walked the Camino the same way I do now or even ten years ago when I first walked it. The 8 kms to Orrisson? Personally I didn't find it difficult at all and it's all on paved road. Walked it in less than two hours and that was when I was much older than you. Somebody else on here will say the total opposite, that it took them five hours and it totally kicked their arse.
I found someone on the mountain that had spent the night outside - we called an ambulance to collect him. He had left SJPP at 2pm for Orrison and at 5pm he continued on when there was no available beds at Orrison. I would like to say bad luck - but it was really several bad decisions.The best flight I can find is arriving at Biarritz at 10am. The train from Biarritz to St Jean is around 1.5 hours so I may roughly arrive around midday. Is it safe enough to leave St Jean at 1pm and get to Roncevalles before dusk?
There are also flights into Barcelona and Carcassone (France) but those routes seem even more complicated to get to St Jean.
Where are you flying from? If jet lag then definitely need a few days to acclimatise.I'm beginning mid to late May, but I havent booked my flights yet.
The alternative is to fly to Barcelona and then get a train to Pamplona and begin there but I did kind of like the idea of walking from France to the end of Spain.
UK. No jet lagWhere are you flying from? If jet lag then definitely need a few days to acclimatise.
Yes you are probably correct when it comes to Forum members, however I recall many of the people walking over were much younger, many in their twenties and thirties. The ones I saw straggling in late were all young.One thing to keep in mind here is that you're asking advice from a forum mostly comprised of people much older than you. Some twice your age. Naturally they're going to relate their experience walking from St Jean to Roncesvalles the first day and their level of difficulty doing it. There's no way a 35 year old me would have walked the Camino the same way I do now or even ten years ago when I first walked it. The 8 kms to Orrisson? Personally I didn't find it difficult at all and it's all on paved road. Walked it in less than two hours and that was when I was much older than you. Somebody else on here will say the total opposite, that it took them five hours and it totally kicked their arse.
Me also. So your checkin gotta be about 6am, and you’ve got to get a credential at the office before you walk unless youve ordered one online. Still it’s nice to visit there anyway and get a stamp, check the weather, list of albergues before you start. So after a 4am wake up, the most you could achieve after all that would be up to Borda to stay the night. However, if none of that fazes you and you’re a hard core hill walker who relished a really long hard day …. i just think there are things you’re missing being in such a rush.UK. No jet lag
My dad used to say that too and years ago we were both avid runners and I'd always say that to him just before I pour on the coals and pull away from him for the last 2-3 kilometers. Later I'd ask him how'd the back of my shoes look? I can't repeat here what his response was lolYes you are probably correct when it comes to Forum members, however I recall many of the people walking over were much younger, many in their twenties and thirties. The ones I saw straggling in late were all young.
Maybe age has taught us to plan and start earlier.
My Dad has this saying Old age and treachery will always beat youth and exuberance.
Ha Ha, when our family were all runners, Dad would beat my sister and I to the finish line, and then come back and run the last bit with us. My sister used to hate that - our Dad showing off, but unfortunately he could always beat us. By the time he was slowing down and we had a chance he switched to cycling.My dad used to say that too and years ago we were both avid runners and I'd always say that to him just before I pour on the coals and pull away from him for the last 2-3 kilometers. Later I'd ask him how'd the back of my shoes look? I can't repeat here what his response was lol
My dad definitely had his revenge sometimes. On one 10km myself and my brother in law ran together with him he stayed with us for maybe a kilometer and made the remark I want a cold finish line beer and you guys are slowing me down. He poured it on and we didn't see him again until we got to the beer tent lolHa Ha, when our family were all runners, Dad would beat my sister and I to the finish line, and then come back and run in with us. My sister used to hate that - our Dad showing off, but unfortunately he could always beat us. By the time he was slowing down and we had a chance he switched to cycling.
He quit while he was ahead.
I was 70 and walked it in a little over 2 hours. Not a bad walk at all. It is a piece of cake when compared to the hill leaving Castrojeriz.
I assume you mean SJPDP to Orrison rather than Roncesvalles.I was 70 and walked it in a little over 2 hours. Not a bad walk at all. It is a piece of cake when compared to the hill leaving Castrojeriz.
Claro Que SiI assume you mean SJPDP to Orrison rather than Roncesvalles.
The last time that I was in SJPdP I shipped a suitcase to Santiago using Express Bouricott's service. While I was in their office filling out the paperwork there were quite a few younger pilgrims in there who were planning to ship their packs ahead to Roncesvalles because they thought it would be too hard to carry them over the Pyrenees. (I carried my own pack)Yes you are probably correct when it comes to Forum members, however I recall many of the people walking over were much younger, many in their twenties and thirties.
On or about 1 October in 2018, when I was 58, I flew from Phiilly to Madrid all night, then to Biarritz by 10am, then bus to Bayonne and train to SJPP by 1pm. Walked straight from train station to Roncessvalles via the Napoleon route to arrive Roncessvalles at 1900. There was plenty of daylight then, and you will have it past 2200 in May I believe. As long as the weather doesn't close the route, it is absolutely safe and doable. In April 2019, Napoleon route was closed so I walked via Valcarlos. 5.5 hours to Roncessvalles, but I had good night's sleep in St Jean prior.The best flight I can find is arriving at Biarritz at 10am. The train from Biarritz to St Jean is around 1.5 hours so I may roughly arrive around midday. Is it safe enough to leave St Jean at 1pm and get to Roncevalles before dusk?
There are also flights into Barcelona and Carcassone (France) but those routes seem even more complicated to get to St Jean.
Are you the Stuart from UK I ate dinner with on the other side of the bridge from Hospital de Orbigo beginning Oct 2017, and did you make it back in time for the birthday?As someone who has walked from SJPdP (over Napoleon) to Santiago in 17 days, I can very highly recommend slowing right down and taking everything in. There's no need for rushing and speeding to next destination. The Camino itself is the destination.
@davebugg thank you for this most delightful and energetic video. I watched it while working out this evening, and may do so several more times prior to my arrival in SJPP 18 May. Mochas gracias!To save time Express Bouricott will provide a quicker way to SJPdP.
Passengers tranport on the way of Saint James | Trip from Biarritz to St Jean pied de port
Transporting people around the Way of Saint James. Trips from Biarritz to St Jean Pied De Port to Roncesvalles, and the whole pilgrimage regionwww.expressbourricot.com
Dusk is determined by what day of the year you are walking, but assuming a 7pm time frame, that is 6 hours of walking straight with no rest stops. That would be an average of walking 4 Km/2.5 miles per hour, the majority on an average of about a 14% grade-incline (much of the first part to Orisson exceeds 20%).
The downhill portion is much shorter, and depends on how your knees and feet can handle steep declines.
Personally, I have always planned on a minimum of 9 hours, and on two trips over Napoleon Route, on three caminos, actually took just a bit longer.
Here is a link to YouTube footage of my last trip over the Napoleon step-by-step.
I'm over 70 and did it. So go for it.I'm glad you pointed out the timing of the trains!
I'm in my mid 30s and I'm at a decent fitness level so I'd hope to make good time when walking.
Relax and enjoy. Leave a little space for the unexpected or just for smelling the coffee.I appreciate all the comments and to confirm I wont to try to depart from St Jean in the afternoon.
As it turns out, I'm actually now planning to fly in to Barcelona and head up to Pamplona by train and start there to avoid making the first two days stressful.
I wont be leaving for 5-6 weeks so I still have time to iron out the details
Most of the Spanish have only started 2 days prior.I appreciate all the comments and to confirm I wont to try to depart from St Jean in the afternoon.
As it turns out, I'm actually now planning to fly in to Barcelona and head up to Pamplona by train and start there to avoid making the first two days stressful.
I wont be leaving for 5-6 weeks so I still have time to iron out the details
Yes, that would be meAre you the Stuart from UK I ate dinner with on the other side of the bridge from Hospital de Orbigo beginning Oct 2017, and did you make it back in time for the birthday?
It's actually Puenta la Reina (bridge, not door) Autocorrect?Most of the Spanish have only started 2 days prior.
Enjoy Pamplona , book a good pension and relax , Puerta La Reina us a nice walk.
Let me have a guess. Is it because you are referring to a map printed in Basque?It's actually Puenta la Reina (bridge, not door) Autocorrect?
If you want to find it on a map look for Gares. No, I don't know why.
We were told when walking from Le Puy that there is more Basque acres in France than Spain , is that correct?Let me have a guess. Is it because you are referring to a map printed in Basque?
Puente la Reina/Gares, Pamplona/Iruña, Roncesvalles/Orreaga ... each town's official name in the Spanish language and the co-official name in the Basque language.
I thought there was more Basque country in Spain than in France but I could be wrong of course…. No doubt someone else will know more about it than I do.We were told when walking from Le Puy that there is more Basque acres in France than Spain , is that correct?
Definitely no politics old mate.I thought there was more Basque country in Spain than in France but I could be wrong of course…. No doubt someone else will know more about it than I do.
And I won’t get more into it as it would go against forum rules (politics)
I’ve walked the CF three times and I’d join my voice to the others with the advice to spend the night in SJPP (at Beilari’s preferably!) which will solve many issues including being able to check in at the Pilgrim Office, having a low-stress relaxing day before starting the Camino, and a good evening meal and a chance to load up with some food for tomorrow. Also if you stay at Beilari’s you’ll meet some people that you’ll get to know on the Camino. Since I’m handing out so much free advice here I’d say that for all 3 of my Caminos I was in good shape before starting. The first 2 I walked to Roncesvailles the first day. On the third I stayed in Orisson the first night and Roncesvailles the second. i found that combination to be the all-time best. I felt energized, not exhausted, my feet weren’t stressed, I enjoyed getting to know people in Orisson, I felt rested, hydrated, and my feet were much happier!The best flight I can find is arriving at Biarritz at 10am. The train from Biarritz to St Jean is around 1.5 hours so I may roughly arrive around midday. Is it safe enough to leave St Jean at 1pm and get to Roncevalles before dusk?
There are also flights into Barcelona and Carcassone (France) but those routes seem even more complicated to get to St Jean.
Thank you for posting your video! I am reliving my first day over and over again. Thank you!!!To save time Express Bouricott will provide a quicker way to SJPdP.
Passengers tranport on the way of Saint James | Trip from Biarritz to St Jean pied de port
Transporting people around the Way of Saint James. Trips from Biarritz to St Jean Pied De Port to Roncesvalles, and the whole pilgrimage regionwww.expressbourricot.com
Dusk is determined by what day of the year you are walking, but assuming a 7pm time frame, that is 6 hours of walking straight with no rest stops. That would be an average of walking 4 Km/2.5 miles per hour, the majority on an average of about a 14% grade-incline (much of the first part to Orisson exceeds 20%).
The downhill portion is much shorter, and depends on how your knees and feet can handle steep declines.
Personally, I have always planned on a minimum of 9 hours, and on two trips over Napoleon Route, on three caminos, actually took just a bit longer.
Here is a link to YouTube footage of my last trip over the Napoleon step-by-step.
Thanks for mentioning that stopping in Orisson was so worth it! I've reserved a bunk at the new Auberge Borda for May 2023!I’ve walked the CF three times and I’d join my voice to the others with the advice to spend the night in SJPP (at Beilari’s preferably!) which will solve many issues including being able to check in at the Pilgrim Office, having a low-stress relaxing day before starting the Camino, and a good evening meal and a chance to load up with some food for tomorrow. Also if you stay at Beilari’s you’ll meet some people that you’ll get to know on the Camino. Since I’m handing out so much free advice here I’d say that for all 3 of my Caminos I was in good shape before starting. The first 2 I walked to Roncesvailles the first day. On the third I stayed in Orisson the first night and Roncesvailles the second. i found that combination to be the all-time best. I felt energized, not exhausted, my feet weren’t stressed, I enjoyed getting to know people in Orisson, I felt rested, hydrated, and my feet were much happier!
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