Descents into Hornillos and Hontanas?

[SallGar]

My wire and I (still mid-70s!) are a bit spooked about the warning symbols descending into these towns - particularly after Zubiri, which we ended up doing on the highway after some Camino friends we had met told us to please not even try going down the ruts.
We would appreciate any advice you can offer! Thanks again for your help last time.

 

[Robo]

Both easy, don't worry

 

[Tincatinker]

My wire and I (still mid-70s!) are a bit spooked about the warning symbols descending into these towns - particularly after Zubiri, which we ended up doing on the highway after some Camino friends we had met told us to please not even try going down the ruts.
We would appreciate any advice you can offer! Thanks again for your help last time.

Both those descents are on wide compacted gravel tracks used by local vehicles. Nothing like Zubiri

 

[Pafayac]

Camino Francés is not steep: if you want steep slopes, walk Camino de San Salvador.

 

[Theatregal]

I just walked both a few days ago and they are fine! As mentioned above, both are compacted, without loose stones. There is also the steep descent after Castrojeriz, down from the Alto Mostelaros, but it is paved - not slippery at all.

 

[linkster]

Cyclist racing down from Alto de Mostelares was sketchy.

 

[JesperK]

Cyclist racing down from Alto de Mostelares was sketchy.

Must admit that every time I walk down I fantasize about being on a bike and just going as fast as possible.

 

[MarkyD]

The three most challenging descents for people with ankle, knee or hip issues; or any general concerns about balance and stability, are the following:
Descent to Zubiri (already mentioned)
Descent from Alto del Perdón to Uterga (lots of small loose rocks and stones)
Descent into León from about 8km out (especially when wet)
Descent down into Molinaseca from El Acebo de San Miguel (the road route winds its way down more gently, but adds about 4km to the distance - someone might correct me on that extra distance).

I would recommend not carrying excessive weight on the back, secure your rucksack correctly (so it doesn't slop around), and don't hold your phone or camera in your hand (unless you stop, of course) and using two walking poles. Having the appropriate footwear that protects your ankles would be worth considering.

The two you asked about, Hornillos del Camino and Hontanas, are gentle slopes on wide gravel paths.

 

[Bothydave]

Saw a woman walk backwards downhill into Hornillios but that was due to sore legs as opposed to any steepness.

 

[Tincatinker]

Interesting. The Beloved often tells me to walk backwards up-hill. Apparently it stops me asking “are we there yet?”

 

[Lucy3095]

I did the Frances last year at 72, going again next year, the downhills and uphills are tough, don’t let anyone tell you otherwise, I walked with some younger people on occasions and they struggled, but it’s all possible. I had two walking sticks, took my time going to Zubiri, and the other steep descents, did get a slight knee problem, but meds and a brace for a couple of days fixed that. And may I say, I have never seen so many knee braces, spread across all varieties of ages walking. It’s tough, day after day but possible. Enjoy.

 

[Elainesnider]

My wire and I (still mid-70s!) are a bit spooked about the warning symbols descending into these towns - particularly after Zubiri, which we ended up doing on the highway after some Camino friends we had met told us to please not even try going down the ruts.
We would appreciate any advice you can offer! Thanks again for your help last time. Perhaps follow the bicycle routes— a few steps longer but not as many precipitous edges to navigate

 

[Elainesnider]

Perhaps follow the bicycle routes. It may be a little longer (more steps) but not as many precipitous edges

 

[RRat]

My wire and I (still mid-70s!) are a bit spooked about the warning symbols descending into these towns - particularly after Zubiri, which we ended up doing on the highway after some Camino friends we had met told us to please not even try going down the ruts.
We would appreciate any advice you can offer! Thanks again for your help last time.

Smooth and gradual. But it is long and easy so one can walk in a rhythm that is very repetitive. You can see your goal from a distance so one can tend to push it a little. I ended up very sore on one foot arriving into Horrnios for the reasons above. It was significant enough that I had to change plans. So take your time. Modify your stride. Run, skip, or jump just to change things up.