Branches

[DowtyCamino]

Planning our 2nd Camino for 2017.
Question for the Veterans out there....
Are the other branches that start in the Pyrenees and meet up in Puenta de la Reina still considered Camino Frances?
Are these routes still active?
What are they like?
Where's the best link/source of up-to-date info on these?
Are there routes that start in Toulouse Fr., to the start of these caminos?

 

[SYates]

Yes, the Camino Aragones, which crosses the Pyrenees at the Somport pass and joins the 'main way' in Puente la Reina. The Camino Arles connects to this one, see

http://chemindarles.free.fr/index_EN.php and http://caminodesantiago.consumer.es/los-caminos-de-santiago/aragones/

If the CA is considered part/ a variant of the CF or not depends on your POV. I do. Both the CA and the Arles route are beautiful and far less traveled, but still with good infrastructure, than f.e. the Le Puy route or the CF in Navarra. Buen Camino, SY

 

[DowtyCamino]

Excellent...thanks.

 

[t2andreo]

Just as an FYI, the Aragones is, in part, the route walked by Francis of Assisi and two followers when he made pilgrimage from Assisi to Sanitago de Compostela from 1213 - 1215. It took him a year to walk there, and another year to walk home. In 2014, we celebrated the 800 year anniversary of his pilgrimage, as he arrived at Santiago in 1214.

He, and his followers walked north and west out of the Italian States, into the French States, then they turned south, crossing the Pyrenees at the Somport Pass. Once over the mountains, they were in the Kingdom of Aragon. They followed the Aragones Route to Puente la Reina, then continued west to Santiago.

Another note about Puente la Reina, as you depart this historically important town, you walk under the EXACT Roman arch, walk across the same bridge and, for perhaps a kilometer walk on the EXACT well-weathered, rounded-top stones that paved the old Roman Road leading out of Puente la Reina that Francis of Assisi himself walked on.

Unlike most other old Roman roads, there has not been an effort to "top" the road with cinders and gravel to make it perhaps more easily walked. I believe this was to retain the historic authenticity for pilgrims who want to literally walk in the footsteps of Francis of Assisi. Further on, the road is top-sealed to improve comfort.

I just thought this might be of interest to some.

 

[gerardcarey]

And then there's the Camino Baztan which starts in Bayonne and proceeds through to Pamplona, where you can join the Camino Frances and proceed via Puenta de la Reina. Lots of info about it on this forum.