• Get your Camino Frances Guidebook here.
  • For 2024 Pilgrims: €50,- donation = 1 year with no ads on the forum + 90% off any 2024 Guide. More here.
    (Discount code sent to you by Private Message after your donation)
  • ⚠️ Emergency contact in Spain - Dial 112 and AlertCops app. More on this here.
This is a mobile optimized page that loads fast, if you want to load the real page, click this text.

Descent from Alto de Perdon

Gadflyparexcellence

Active Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Walked in "2016," "2018," "2022."
If it rains, how muddy does the descent from Alto de Perdon get? While from some of the clips on this forum the descent appears to be rocky, does it also get very muddy during rain? I heard that the mud during or following rain could be almost ankle high. If that's the case, cleaning your shoes/boots could be a real problem. Did anyone experience this problem?
 
Promote your Camino Project on the forum
€2,-/day will present your project to thousands of visitors each day. All interested in the Camino de Santiago.
I had luck to walk this section twice in nice (no rain) weather. But from the type of the surface I wouldn't say there should be lots of mud in case of rain, it's quite rocky. One of our forum members (can't remember his name right now) lives in Cizur Menor and I think he is the right person to answer this.

Ultreia!
 
Altus Poncho (ATMOSPHERIC H30)
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
At the start of May 2013 it was very slippery in places with running water as well. I don't remember it as being especially muddy though ( not like the Rioja was that spring). Wet or dry though I find it a challenging descent and I am glad when it is over.
 
EXPRESS BOURRICOT - Transport
Transport luggage-passengers.
From airports to SJPP
Luggage from SJPP to Roncevalles
When I walked that stretch last year it was very hot, I was very glad when I enter the town. First thing what I did was to drink a nice cool beer.
Wish you well and a Buen Camino, Peter.
 
Camino Way markers in Bronze
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
And don't wander off behind the scrubby trees - that ain't no mud bro!
 
Thanks to all of you for your feedback. Very reassuring. Perhaps this happens to those who're about to go on their first Camino walk. Your imagination runs wild and you conjure up so many scenarios that turn out to be simply remote and trivial.
 
In January of this year there was about 18" of snow on it. The locals were sledding down the top part.
Pretty tough going as the big rocks were not visible.
 
Altus Poncho (ATMOSPHERIC H30)
Very light, comfortable and compressible poncho. Specially designed for protection against water for any activity.

Our Atmospheric H30 poncho offers lightness and waterproofness. Easily compressible and made with our Waterproof fabric, its heat-sealed interior seams guarantee its waterproofness. Includes carrying bag.

€60,-
Last May it was dry and even though I took my time.....I didn't find it too hard ....Probably a different story when it rains !
 
It was the constant stepping on the loose stones that I found so taxing. Despite my good boots and cushiony inner soles, the soles of my feet were never so sore as they were when I finished that descent. Other than that, the Alto de Perdon was a great climb and a great descent.
 
I walked from Pamplona to Burgos last July, took the train back to Pamplona and walked to Estella where I would be working at an albergue. My only concern was walking down from the Alto de Perdon in wet weather. The first time down was dry and fine - but slow-going with the rocks and loose stones. On my second time down, two weeks later, it had rained during the night and into the morning and I was worried about the descent...but it wasn't bad at all. I still had to very carefully pick my way down on the narrow path amid the rocks, but it wasn't as difficult as I had expected. You never know!
 
Camino Ready, Backpacks, Boots etc
3rd Edition. More content, training & pack guides avoid common mistakes, bed bugs etc
I can remember going up to the Alto del Perdon last fall, but I have no memory of going down. Going up was easy, and I was looking forward to the sculptures on the heights and the new view at the top. Going down was simply not memorable - no challenges at all. It was dry that morning and I walk with boots and a walking stick which are more than adequate for ordinary challenges of the trail. I see from the above posts that some people have had challenges in bad weather or on a wet or muddy trail. So far, that has not been my experience. Perhaps that is one place where boots are particularly suitable footwear. Choose boots or shoes that work best for you and keep in mind that whatever you choose may not be ideal for particular sections. My boots can be heavy going on pavement. Buen camino.
 
I remember that decent vividly. It was a dry day, but there were sections with small, round rocks and loose shale that made the going kind of tough. Even with poles and good boots, I was slipping and sliding, ended up on my butt a couple times. At one point, I looked up to admire the view, took a wrong step, and twisted my ankle. I was super sore the next day. I do a lot of hiking, but shale has always been my arch nemisis.
 
Altus BALI Sleeping bag liner
Ideal sleeping bag liner whether we want to add a thermal plus to our bag, or if we want to use it alone to sleep in shelters or hostels. Thanks to its mummy shape, it adapts perfectly to our body.

€46,-
Don't bother cleaning your boots, you'll find tons of mud this year.
 
Walked it in the rain September 2015, wet and slippery on the way up but I made it. I took it extra slow on the descent with no problems. Just remember to take your time coming down.
 
More 2024 Camino Guides available
The 2024 Camino guides will be coming out little by little. Here is a collection of the ones that are out so far.
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest Camino Photo

Most read last week in this forum

Similar threads

I
Steep up hill - downhill like Alto de Perdon?
Replies
11
Views
2K
isabeau
I
R
How steep is the climb to Alto de Perdon.
Replies
57
Views
6K
kamleman
K
B
Lost & Found Lost Apple Watch Alto Perdon
Replies
4
Views
1K
longwayhome
Menu
Log in
Register