Camino Frances

Vaughan Bell · Apr 28, 2018

Gidday,

Doing my first Camino journey on 6 May 2018, starting from St.Jean. I hear the first stage to Roncesvalles is a "challenge". Any tips??

Also, debating whether just to take a silk liner and not a sleeping bag (to save room). Figured that if get cold I could always use the lightweight thermals instead. Is the weather/temp reasonably warm at present there? Cheers.

Deleted member 67185 · Apr 28, 2018

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/orisson-or-roncesvalles.54706/

https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/which-trail-from-sjpdp.54902/#post-614070

Robert Long · Apr 28, 2018

Good Morning

Yes, the first day is a challenge. that is the only stage of the CF on which I did not carry my pack. If you are concerned, ship it. But it will be the most spectacular day of your life. This year we are doing the Portugal Camino; but we are starting in St Jean and walking over the Pyrenees again to Pamplona and then to Porto.

Get a sleeping bag liner. it will be enough and light.

Buen Camino

MichelleElynHogan · Apr 28, 2018

Still taking a sleeping bag for May / June, (it has been a late, cold Spring), and walking the Valcarlos Route as I have done the Napoleon Route in 2016. Also arriving in SJPP May 6 and leaving on May 7. It takes a couple of days to adjust from jet lag.

Rhysmike · Apr 29, 2018

MichelleElynHogan said:
Still taking a sleeping bag for May / June, (it has been a late, cold Spring), and walking the Valcarlos Route as I have done the Napoleon Route in 2016. Also arriving in SJPP May 6 and leaving on May 7. It takes a couple of days to adjust from jet lag.

Similar for us. Having done the high route in 2014 and the low route in 2016 we’ll be guided by the weather. We also leave SJ on the 7th.

MichelleElynHogan · Apr 29, 2018

I will watch out for you. I am staying at Bielari May 6 to 7.

Anamiri · Apr 29, 2018

The Napoleon route seems to have quite a reputation. In my experience a reasonably fit person will have no problem with it in one day at all. Yes it is steep, particularly in the first few hours. Just shorten your stride, stop to catch your breath when you need and keep going. Slow and steady is the way. I saw people rush past us at the beginning and we passed them flat out on the side of the road later in the morning. We arrived at 3.00pm, there were literally 100's arriving after us. Its not until you reach Roncesvalles that you realise just how many people walked that day.
Stop at the Orison cafe, it is a great spot for a late breakfast/early lunch. That coffee will taste really good. Not a bad idea to grab some food from them for later in the day as well. There was a caravan selling drinks and snacks further up, but the food at Orisson was good and substantial.
If you have issues with your knees, take the road option down to Roncesvalles, rather than the steeper track. It is still lovely, there were lots of the beautiful horses in the heather on the side of the road, just quietly watching us descend.