WanderlustingLawyer
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Aragones (2021); Camino Frances (2018)
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Must be one of the most beautiful starts to a Camino.For anyone looking to walk the Camino Aragones, which meets up with the Camino Frances at Puente La Reina, I highly recommend starting in Oloron St. Marie or Bedous France and actually crossing the Pyrenees and entering Spain by at Somport. It's remote, stunning scenery, and the Pyrenees crossing is more challenging than the one at Roncesvalles. In this video, I provide detailed instructions for getting to Canfranc Estacion from Barcelona/Madrid, and then continuing on to Bedous and Oloron St. Marie.
If you start at Oloron Ste Marie, you will be on the Camino d'Arles until you climb up to Somport Pass. That's fine, if that's how you want to do it.Great news as I am scheduled to volunteer at the new Albergue in Canfranc mid-September! Afterwards I plan to bus to Oloron St Marie and start the Camino Aragones!
This is veritably the definition of complete exhaustionI was so tired that night that I could not drink my share of a bottle of wine that we had with dinner.
Found that really interesting and video presentation so much better. Agree about crossing the Pyrenees. Next June I plan to take the Valcarlos route which in 3 Caminos. I’ve never taken. Then bus to Pamplona and shared ride BlaBlaCar to Jaca. Bus to Canfranc Estacion and walk from there to Punta La Reina. Who knows I make Finisterre for the first time. Keep the videos coming.For anyone looking to walk the Camino Aragones, which meets up with the Camino Frances at Puente La Reina, I highly recommend starting in Oloron St. Marie or Bedous France and actually crossing the Pyrenees and entering Spain by at Somport. It's remote, stunning scenery, and the Pyrenees crossing is more challenging than the one at Roncesvalles. In this video, I provide detailed instructions for getting to Canfranc Estacion from Barcelona/Madrid, and then continuing on to Bedous and Oloron St. Marie.
My personal view of the relative difficulty in walking over the Pyrenees on the Frances and on the Aragones is different from that of the OP.
I would not want pilgrims to avoid the Aragones on the grounds that the walk up to Somport was more difficult that the walk from SJPdP on the Napoleon to Roncesvalles
From Santa María de Eunate there are two ways to go forward on the Francés. One goes to Obanos and the other to Puente la Reina via the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Arnotegui. There is a thread on this.It’s not important … but I often read on forum posts and elsewhere that the Aragones joins the Frances in Puenta la Reina. I’ve walked the Aragones twice and the path joined the Frances in Obanos.
My personal view of the relative difficulty in walking over the Pyrenees on the Frances and on the Aragones is different from that of the OP. I walked the Frances for my first camino, from SJPdP to Santiago, at the age of 67, over the Pyrenees with a night at Orisson. The next year I walked the Aragones from Oloron Ste Marie to Santiago, joining the Frances at Puenta la Reina. The OP's comment that the walk up to Somport was more difficult than that to Roncesvalles on the Napoleon does not agree with my experience. I walked from SJpdP to Orissson, then on the next day to Roncesvalles, and found the two days' walk strenuous and challenging, with a short, steep uphill walk on the first day and a longer day with a slippery downhill on the second. From Borce I walked over the col de Somport to the albergue just past the col, in one day, and found that day easier than either day on the Frances: not so steep uphill as the first, nor ending with a steep downhill before I arrived at my accommodation on the second day. My comment may well be a misunderstanding of the comparison, but I would not want pilgrims to avoid the Aragones on the grounds that the walk up to Somport was more difficult that the walk from SJPdP on the Napoleon to Roncesvalles.
I look forward to hearing your experiences and opinions on these and on other pilgrim routes which you have walked. This is how we can assist one another in deciding on and preparing our own walks.Our mood, our energy, the other pilgrims we encounter, the weather etc..
We each experience and reflect on the same path differently, and each have our own opinion, but should yours be the definitive one?
I look forward to hearing your experiences and opinions on these and on other pilgrim routes which you have walked. This is how we can assist one another in deciding on and preparing our own walks.
Oh thank you. That explains it.From Santa María de Eunate there are two ways to go forward on the Francés. One goes to Obanos and the other to Puente la Reina via the Ermita de Nuestra Señora de Arnotegui. There is a thread on this.
For me too Laurie.. and glutton for punishment that I am, I'll be back there again later this year!The new albergue in Canfranc village--4 km from Canfranc Estacion, is a wonderful place to stay! Honored to have served as a hospitalero there this past Oct.
Phil and I will be there July 16 to July 31 as hospitaleros voluntarios!Great news as I am scheduled to volunteer at the new Albergue in Canfranc mid-September! Afterwards I plan to bus to Oloron St Marie and start the Camino Aragones!
It is truly a beautiful route.Must be one of the most beautiful starts to a Camino.
Thanks for the alternative perspective! My day did indeed end with steep downhill, but that's probably because I went all the way to Villanua; it was any extremely long day. I still believe this day would be very tough for new pilgrims, unless quite experienced in hiking, but I definitely don't want to discourage anyone from the challenge. Cheers!My personal view of the relative difficulty in walking over the Pyrenees on the Frances and on the Aragones is different from that of the OP. I walked the Frances for my first camino, from SJPdP to Santiago, at the age of 67, over the Pyrenees with a night at Orisson. The next year I walked the Aragones from Oloron Ste Marie to Santiago, joining the Frances at Puenta la Reina. The OP's comment that the walk up to Somport was more difficult than that to Roncesvalles on the Napoleon does not agree with my experience. I walked from SJpdP to Orissson, then on the next day to Roncesvalles, and found the two days' walk strenuous and challenging, with a short, steep uphill walk on the first day and a longer day with a slippery downhill on the second. From Borce I walked over the col de Somport to the albergue just past the col, in one day, and found that day easier than either day on the Frances: not so steep uphill as the first, nor ending with a steep downhill before I arrived at my accommodation on the second day. My comment may well be a misunderstanding of the comparison, but I would not want pilgrims to avoid the Aragones on the grounds that the walk up to Somport was more difficult that the walk from SJPdP on the Napoleon to Roncesvalles.
My plan is to do Camino Aragones this year, july/august, and I am wondering where to start: Oloron or Somport. I have heard that the walk over Pyrenees is quite hard if you start in Oloron. I have done three Caminos so far,the fourth one will be Camino Primitivo in june, my second Primitivo. Is Camino Aragones harder and more difficult?Thanks, that is very nice video presentation. I did something similar a few years ago, I took the train from Biarritz to Pau and then connected to the train to Oloron. I got there early enough in the day to have and afternoon to explore both towns. The 12th c. cathedral has a very nice vibe about it. I also stayed at the monastery in Sarrance and was feted by the monks who live there.
I would caution anyone who chooses this route to have some Camino experience, it is definitely not one I would suggest for your first time out. I was there in the late spring and I was the only pilgrim on the route between Oloron and Eunate, except for a group of French cyclist I stayed with in Arres.
I regretted not going to San Juan de la Pena, but was fortunate enough to do that years later by car.
PS, you mentioned a dog attack, I had a similar situation with some Alsatians who were guarding their flock of sheep as I was walking along the abandoned train track out of Oloron, thank God I had my pole to repel them.
Hi! I haven't walked the Primitivo so I can't say for sure which is "harder." How much time do you have, and will you be walking alone or with a companion. The route from Oloron to Somport is absolutely stunning and I highly recommend it, especially if you can space it out more than I did. It's pretty solitary though, and personally, I wish I'd done it with someone else. Here is a video I made describing the hike over the Pyranees from France into Somport and onward. Let me know if you have any questions!My plan is to do Camino Aragones this year, july/august, and I am wondering where to start: Oloron or Somport. I have heard that the walk over Pyrenees is quite hard if you start in Oloron. I have done three Caminos so far,the fourth one will be Camino Primitivo in june, my second Primitivo. Is Camino Aragones harder and more difficult?
Maybe we will see you! Be sure to stop at Canfranc Pueblo at the albergue. If not to stay over, to get a drink, use the bathroom or say "hi". We'll be there July 15-31 as hospitaleros.My plan is to do Camino Aragones this year, july/august, and I am wondering where to start: Oloron or Somport. I have heard that the walk over Pyrenees is quite hard if you start in Oloron. I have done three Caminos so far,the fourth one will be Camino Primitivo in june, my second Primitivo. Is Camino Aragones harder and more difficult?
Well, see you in July!Maybe we will see you! Be sure to stop at Canfranc Pueblo at the albergue. If not to stay over, to get a drink, use the bathroom or say "hi". We'll be there July 15-31 as hospitaleros.
I found it quite easy for Santa Cilia on. That was the only part I walked though. I read many warnings about bringing food and water with you. I didn't find any problem with that but I walked in cooler and overcast conditions. If you decide to do a detour and walk to visit San Juan de la Peña (and you absolutely should do that somehow) things will be more difficult.Is Camino Aragones harder and more difficult?
I have plenty of time and I do want to walk all the way to Santiago. Primitivo is quite hard, very beautiful thougt, and absolutely my favourite so far. I am going to walk alone, as always.Hi! I haven't walked the Primitivo so I can't say for sure which is "harder." How much time do you have, and will you be walking alone or with a companion. The route from Oloron to Somport is absolutely stunning and I highly recommend it, especially if you can space it out more than I did. It's pretty solitary though, and personally, I wish I'd done it with someone else. Here is a video I made describing the hike over the Pyranees from France into Somport and onward. Let me know if you have any questions!
Thank you, Albertagirl!I walked the Aragones as my second camino, in 2016, after walking the Frances the previous year. I was 68 at the time. There were some challenges in the Oloron Ste Marie to Somport section, mostly the result of a major storm which occurred the evening when I arrived. It put out the electricity and shut down everything. I already knew from tourist information that the Vallee d'Aspe was very wet. The walk up from Borce was no problem, certainly less steep than the walk to Orisson. I stayed at the albergue at the top. I would not want to have missed the walk up. Buen camino.
Thank you!I found it quite easy for Santa Cilia on. That was the only part I walked though. I read many warnings about bringing food and water with you. I didn't find any problem with that but I walked in cooler and overcast conditions. If you decide to do a detour and walk to visit San Juan de la Peña (and you absolutely should do that somehow) things will be more difficult.
You shouldn't find the Aragoñes difficult in comparison to the primitivo, but you will find far fewer pilgrims and fewer options for eating and sleeping. With three caminos behind you, I'm sure you'll more than manage it..My plan is to do Camino Aragones this year, july/august, and I am wondering where to start: Oloron or Somport. I have heard that the walk over Pyrenees is quite hard if you start in Oloron. I have done three Caminos so far,the fourth one will be Camino Primitivo in june, my second Primitivo. Is Camino Aragones harder and more difficult?
Thanks!You shouldn't find the Aragoñes difficult in comparison to the primitivo, but you will find far fewer pilgrims and fewer options for eating and sleeping. With three caminos behind you, I'm sure you'll more than manage it..
I am very glad to read this, Albertagirl, because I am nearly sure now that I will be walking the Chemin d'Arles in May, as my second Camino. If all goes to plan, I will celebrate my 69th birthday around the time I am approaching the Col de Somport- and it would be nice if it is less demanding than was the Route Napoleon over the Pyrenees. That was a hard slog for me!My personal view of the relative difficulty in walking over the Pyrenees on the Frances and on the Aragones is different from that of the OP. I walked the Frances for my first camino, from SJPdP to Santiago, at the age of 67, over the Pyrenees with a night at Orisson. The next year I walked the Aragones from Oloron Ste Marie to Santiago, joining the Frances at Puenta la Reina. The OP's comment that the walk up to Somport was more difficult than that to Roncesvalles on the Napoleon does not agree with my experience. I walked from SJpdP to Orissson, then on the next day to Roncesvalles, and found the two days' walk strenuous and challenging, with a short, steep uphill walk on the first day and a longer day with a slippery downhill on the second. From Borce I walked over the col de Somport to the albergue just past the col, in one day, and found that day easier than either day on the Frances: not so steep uphill as the first, nor ending with a steep downhill before I arrived at my accommodation on the second day. My comment may well be a misunderstanding of the comparison, but I would not want pilgrims to avoid the Aragones on the grounds that the walk up to Somport was more difficult that the walk from SJPdP on the Napoleon to Roncesvalles.
Merci and gracias - again! It's beginning to feel quite real now!Thé Arles / Aragones is wonderful. Bon chemin and buen camino
By the way, is there any list of accommodations for this portion of the Chemin d'Arles and Aragones, similar to the list given at Pilgrim Office in St Jean PdP for CF? I ask because of your mention of "the albergue at the top" at Somport? I am aware of MiamMiam Dodo but wondering if there is a basic list of auberges/albergues?I walked the Aragones as my second camino, in 2016, after walking the Frances the previous year. I was 68 at the time. There were some challenges in the Oloron Ste Marie to Somport section, mostly the result of a major storm which occurred the evening when I arrived. It put out the electricity and shut down everything. I already knew from tourist information that the Vallee d'Aspe was very wet. The walk up from Borce was no problem, certainly less steep than the walk to Orisson. I stayed at the albergue at the top. I would not want to have missed the walk up. Buen camino.
I didn't think about bringing lots of cash with me after Jaca. There were no ATM's so I had to abort about halfway and take a bus to PamplonaI found it quite easy for Santa Cilia on. That was the only part I walked though. I read many warnings about bringing food and water with you. I didn't find any problem with that but I walked in cooler and overcast conditions. If you decide to do a detour and walk to visit San Juan de la Peña (and you absolutely should do that somehow) things will be more difficult.
There is a very helpful pilgrim office in Toulouse, if that is where you start from. They provided us with just such a list. Or you can write to them, they would probably email the list.By the way, is there any list of accommodations for this portion of the Chemin d'Arles and Aragones, similar to the list given at Pilgrim Office in St Jean PdP for CF? I ask because of your mention of "the albergue at the top" at Somport? I am aware of MiamMiam Dodo but wondering if there is a basic list of auberges/albergues?
Dick,For those who like to watch videos, this is the Chemin D'Arles from Toulouse. The GR route is easy to follow, the people were kind (and those that could spoke English unprompted). Highly recommended.
Merci bien! I think I'm decided now!There is a very helpful pilgrim office in Toulouse, if that is where you start from. They provided us with just such a list. Or you can write to them, they would probably email the list.
Thank you! I will check out Gronze. Getting close for you two, now, isn't it?Hi Anna. Gronze is usually a good starting point At the end of Arles, it continues with Aragones.
Arles - Saint-Gilles (Gard) | Camino de Arles | Gronze.com
A priori el comienzo no puede ser más facilón: distancia corta, perfil plano,… aunque todo puede truncarse si aprieta el sol o ruge, como en la canción del Último de la Fila, el Mistral. De oca en oca, de la iglesia de Saint-Trophime de Arles alcanzaremos la también románica abadía de...www.gronze.com
Yes, we fly from Sydney on 21 March for two months away. In between visiting family and friends we plan to walk the Chemin du Piemont and later Camino Baztan.Thank you! I will check out Gronze. Getting close for you two, now, isn't it?
Come to think about it I don't remember using an ATM on the Aragonese. I had some euros in my pocket in Huesca and I used an ATM there. I must have taken out 300€, my usual. It was four days to the Aragonese and then five days to Puente la Reina.I didn't think about bringing lots of cash with me after Jaca. There were no ATM's so I had to abort about halfway and take a bus to Pamplona
I believe you are correct but I ran out of cash 2 stages before there. I could have bailed out of the bus but I had already paid the full fare to Pamplona; and yes, as we passed through Sanguesa I say a bank. My bad!Come to think about it I don't remember using an ATM on the Aragonese. I had some euros in my pocket in Huesca and I used an ATM there. I must have taken out 300€, my usual. It was four days to the Aragonese and then five days to Puente la Reina.
I just now tried ATM in Sangüesa in Google Maps and it showed a few locations.
Hi Anna, I will be doing this route also. Plan to start walking from Oloron St. Marie on the 18th of May. I am 71 and have a few Caminos behind me. When are you planning for?I am very glad to read this, Albertagirl, because I am nearly sure now that I will be walking the Chemin d'Arles in May, as my second Camino. If all goes to plan, I will celebrate my 69th birthday around the time I am approaching the Col de Somport- and it would be nice if it is less demanding than was the Route Napoleon over the Pyrenees. That was a hard slog for me!
Hi Linda, it's great to hear about your plans, too. I am a bit unsure about exact dates because of a special family event in Toulon at beginning of May, and even a little undecided about the starting point (Arles vs points further along the route...?) But, your query is a good stimulus- I need to decide this soon. I'm waiting for delivery of the MMDD guide to help clarify my planning. If you know this route already, that would help, too - do you want to keep in touch via pm on this Forum?Hi Anna, I will be doing this route also. Plan to start walking from Oloron St. Marie on the 18th of May. I am 71 and have a few Caminos behind me. When are you planning for?
In pure hiking terms, I'd agree -- getting over the pass itself is pretty simple, and it's a rather shorter hike from the bottom of it to the other side than SJPP > Roncesvalles.The OP's comment that the walk up to Somport was more difficult than that to Roncesvalles on the Napoleon does not agree with my experience.
IIRC the French GR waymarking ends, and the Spanish begins (yellow arrows !!) somewhat before the pass itself. And hmmmm, Oloron-Sainte-Marie > Puente la Reina has "official" names and so on, but technically it's still a variant route of the French Way. Spanish Camino maps in the 1990s showed the Ways to Santiago via both Roncesvalles and the Somport as the "Camino Francés".If you start at Oloron Ste Marie, you will be on the Camino d'Arles until you climb up to Somport Pass. That's fine, if that's how you want to do it.
There are two options for joining the Francès -- the most obvious one takes you to Obanos, but a variant does take you straight to Puente.It’s not important … but I often read on forum posts and elsewhere that the Aragones joins the Frances in Puenta la Reina. I’ve walked the Aragones twice and the path joined the Frances in Obanos. Puenta la Reina is 2-3 kms further west. Unless I went the wrong way … twice! I only add this because if pilgrims are coming from the Aragones, they have the option to stay in Obanos or walk on to PlaR.
There's bound to be one in Sangüesa -- and IIRC a few of the Albergues & restaurants etc. on the Way accept cards. (? Not really certain, as I was rather penniless on those days) But yeah, definitely carry a bit more food & cash than usual !!I didn't think about bringing lots of cash with me after Jaca. There were no ATM's so I had to abort about halfway and take a bus to Pamplona
I'm looking back over these Aragoñes threads in anticipation of my next one! I've already walked the Aragoñes twice before from Somport.For anyone looking to walk the Camino Aragones, which meets up with the Camino Frances at Puente La Reina, I highly recommend starting in Oloron St. Marie or Bedous France.
You can't get to Bedous from Canfranc without a 40km drive from Astun to Bedous according to rome2rio.I want to do as you have, take the bus from Canfranc Estacion to Bedous and the train from there to Oloron to begin walking.
I will be volunteer Hospitalero in Canfranc beginning September 15 after which I also plan to travel to Oloron St Marie and walk
I’m not sure how I will get from con Frank to Orion Saint Marie but I’m pretty sure the locals will tell me when I’m thereAh, looks like you will be about 10 days ahead of me! My plan is to head to Oloron around the 10th..
We started our Camino Argones from Paris to Aix-en-Provence, and then on to Saint-Maximin-la-Sainte-Baume ( Sanctuary of Mary Magdalene and not a official start to the Argones. ) and walked to Oloron, Lescar and then over the mountains to Jaca. We did spend a night at ConFrance Estacion and did get to see the light show at the train station. We did get to San Juan de la Pena by bus and walked back to Jaca. We got to Saint Mary of Eunate the last day of that season. When we met up with the CF we walked back to SJPP. It was this route that told me I couldn't cross the Pyrenees two times in one Camino. By far one of our favorite Caminos.For anyone looking to walk the Camino Aragones, which meets up with the Camino Frances at Puente La Reina, I highly recommend starting in Oloron St. Marie or Bedous France and actually crossing the Pyrenees and entering Spain by at Somport. It's remote, stunning scenery, and the Pyrenees crossing is more challenging than the one at Roncesvalles. In this video, I provide detailed instructions for getting to Canfranc Estacion from Barcelona/Madrid, and then continuing on to Bedous and Oloron St. Marie.
Try https://transports.nouvelle-aquitaine.fr/
I found this on a webpage that linked to a couple of its pdf schedules for Somport-Canfranc-Bedous-Oloron but the end dates for the schedules were June 4 and July 1. In French. Here is that webpage:
Horaires Bedous - Canfranc - Citram Pyrénées
Attention TRAVAUX OCTOBRE / NOVEMBRE 2022 Fiche horaires dimanche 23 octobre 2022 : cliquez ici Fiche horaires du 24/10 au 10/11/2022 : cliquez ici A partir du 25/09/2022, la ligne Bedous-Canfranc devient la ligne 550 (nouveau numéro). Horaires ligne 550 : cliquez ici Merci de faire signe au...www.citrampyrenees.fr
I was headed to this thread anyway, before seeing your post, to add that possibly the service is only provided during ski season and Wanderlust had the luck to be be in the area during that time. Perhaps you should contactThat's really helpful thanks, I couldn't find that! Even if the schedule is reduced later in the year, there clearly are buses between the two towns!
Thank you!I recently walked from Oloron St.Marie to Canfrac Stn. And then on to the Aragones. Write if you have any questions.
Thanks as always VacajoeHey Flog! (And Laurin!). There was definitely a bus running from Estacion to Oloron in November 2021 (pre-ski season). We found that the tourist office in Estacion had all the answers to all the questions and one person even spoke English! Their #: +34 974 37 31 41
EDIT: I should add that I was told the bus route is designed to replace the non functioning sections of the Canfranc-Pau train route. So it leaves Canfranc and will stop in Bedous IF the train is running to there, otherwise it will terminate in Oloron.
hi..the new albergue in Canfrance village..is it the private or public one you recommend...hope to do Aragones camino route next year..thanksThe new albergue in Canfranc village--4 km from Canfranc Estacion, is a wonderful place to stay! Honored to have served as a hospitalero there this past Oct.
The new albergue is a municipal. There is also a private albergue in the community.hi..the new albergue in Canfrance village..is it the private or public one you recommend...hope to do Aragones camino route next year..thanks
I forgot to thank you for your message.Always good to have a Plan B!
Somehow the French route became synonymous with the route that goes through Roncesvalles, but when I was looking into the Camino the first time, over 2 decades ago, all the guidebooks, etc. said there are two passes over the Pyrenees -- two forks of this route, which join that Puente la Reina. But the Aragonese route is just as French as the one that leads through Roncesvalles. They both come from France, after all. In the Middle Ages, the Somport pass had more pilgrim traffic than the other one.It’s not important … but I often read on forum posts and elsewhere that the Aragones joins the Frances in Puenta la Reina. I’ve walked the Aragones twice and the path joined the Frances in Obanos. Puenta la Reina is 2-3 kms further west. Unless I went the wrong way … twice! I only add this because if pilgrims are coming from the Aragones, they have the option to stay in Obanos or walk on to PlaR.
Don’t you mean the Camino Frances de Aragon?The Aragones Way
Noted.Don’t you mean the Camino Frances de Aragon?. I understand the renaming, but it will be hard to get used to using the new title
Bon chemin!I am starting out on the Arles way this morning..and I am excited. Weather is extremely cloudy and 6C, much nicer during the week..at least no need to use rain trousers today.
Bon Chemin! I started walking from Arles in May 2022 but the unprecedented heat wave stopped me earlier than planned. Rain and snow were certainly NOT my problem last year! But I hope to resume next year, starting closer to the crossing at Somport and continuing on to the Aragonès.I am starting out on the Arles way this morning..and I am excited. Weather is extremely cloudy and 6C, much nicer during the week..at least no need to use rain trousers today.
Gronze has rebranded already as seen here where you can choose between two French Ways:In recognition of that, they are “rebranding” the Camino Aragonés as the “Camino Frances through Aragon” to inform pilgrims that it stretches from France to SdC just like the one from SJPdP.
Alan, thanks for the insight; I plan pretty much the same thing this year 2023, although not sure about that last slog to SomportI flew from Paris to Pau, and started my Camino Aragoeese by walking from Pau to Lescar. The next day was a long walk to Oloron, followed by a shorter day the next day to Sarrance where I stayed in the monastery. The next day was a REALLY long walk from Sarrance to Somport I was so tired that night that I could not drink my share of a bottle of wine that we had with dinner.
Be brave. Life is joyous.
Alan
Hi Alberta girl! I also was hesitant after hearing the OP's impressions of the pass route as harder than the first day of The Frances route. I also, like you, stopped at Orrisson for the night and then walked to Roncesvalles the next day. I found it challenging but doable. I am considering the Aragon way and starting at Oloron and over the Somport pass for my next Camino. Meeting up with the french way again in Puente La Reina. Please tell me, what albergue did you stay in on your first night over the Somport? How long was your walk from Orolon? and what town was this first stop at? Many thanks! RachelMy personal view of the relative difficulty in walking over the Pyrenees on the Frances and on the Aragones is different from that of the OP. I walked the Frances for my first camino, from SJPdP to Santiago, at the age of 67, over the Pyrenees with a night at Orisson. The next year I walked the Aragones from Oloron Ste Marie to Santiago, joining the Frances at Puenta la Reina. The OP's comment that the walk up to Somport was more difficult than that to Roncesvalles on the Napoleon does not agree with my experience. I walked from SJpdP to Orissson, then on the next day to Roncesvalles, and found the two days' walk strenuous and challenging, with a short, steep uphill walk on the first day and a longer day with a slippery downhill on the second. From Borce I walked over the col de Somport to the albergue just past the col, in one day, and found that day easier than either day on the Frances: not so steep uphill as the first, nor ending with a steep downhill before I arrived at my accommodation on the second day. My comment may well be a misunderstanding of the comparison, but I would not want pilgrims to avoid the Aragones on the grounds that the walk up to Somport was more difficult that the walk from SJPdP on the Napoleon to Roncesvalles.
RachelHi Alberta girl! I also was hesitant after hearing the OP's impressions of the pass route as harder than the first day of The Frances route. I also, like you, stopped at Orrisson for the night and then walked to Roncesvalles the next day. I found it challenging but doable. I am considering the Aragon way and starting at Oloron and over the Somport pass for my next Camino. Meeting up with the french way again in Puente La Reina. Please tell me, what albergue did you stay in on your first night over the Somport? How long was your walk from Orolon? and what town was this first stop at? Many thanks! Rachel
This is great thanks!From Oloron to Somport, you are on the last section of the Camino Arles. There are three recommended stages;
Oloron - Sarrance (21km)
Sarrance - Borce (23km)
Borce - Somport (17km)
You are headed up a valley this entire time, so those distances are tougher than they look. After Somport, I recommend the following stages (all headed downhill to Jaca):
Somport - Canfranc Pueblo
CP - Jaca
Jaca - Santa Cilia
SC - Arres
Arres - Ruesta
Ruesta - Sanguesa
Sanguesa - Lumbier
Lumbier - Monreal
Monreal - Tiebas
Tiebas - Puente la Reina
Consult Gronze.com for up-to-date albergue openings and stage distances.
Thank you for the post, I'm also in my sixties and have not yet decided where to start on the Camino Aragones . The climp up to Somport from Bronce is my worry. I have walked the CF twice and both times stoped at Orisson.I walked the Aragones as my second camino, in 2016, after walking the Frances the previous year. I was 68 at the time. There were some challenges in the Oloron Ste Marie to Somport section, mostly the result of a major storm which occurred the evening when I arrived. It put out the electricity and shut down everything. I already knew from tourist information that the Vallee d'Aspe was very wet. The walk up from Borce was no problem, certainly less steep than the walk to Orisson. I stayed at the albergue at the top. I would not want to have missed the walk up. Buen camino.
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