Descents into Hornillos and Hontanas?

S

SallGar

New Member

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Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Frances, Autumn, 2023

• Sep 23, 2023

• #1

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

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Frances 15,16,18
VdlP 23, Invierno 23, Fisterra 23

• Sep 23, 2023

• #2

Both easy, don't worry

 

Tincatinker

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2012

• Sep 23, 2023

• #3

SallGar said:

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.

Click to expand...

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

 

Pafayac

On the way...

Time of past OR future Camino

2024 (project) Norte or Invierno

• Sep 23, 2023

• #4

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

 

Theatregal

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Most recent: Fall 2023 Aragonés, Frances

• Sep 23, 2023

• #5

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

¡Nunca dejes de creer!

Time of past OR future Camino

2022

• Sep 23, 2023

• #6

Cyclist racing down from Alto de Mostelares was sketchy.

 

J

JesperK

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

CF 2013-2016x2-2018 CP:2014 CF:(2022)

• Sep 23, 2023

• #7

linkster said:

Cyclist racing down from Alto de Mostelares was sketchy.

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

 

MarkyD

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Camino Francés 31/08/2018 - 20/10/2018

• Sep 23, 2023

• #8

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

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

2022 Frances and hopefully Ingles in 2024

• Sep 23, 2023

• #9

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

 

Tincatinker

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2012

• Sep 23, 2023

• #10

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

 

Lucy3095

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St Mary MacKillop Camino
Frances Sept 22

• Sep 24, 2023

• #11

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

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

09/11/23

• Sep 24, 2023

• #12

SallGar said:

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

Click to expand...

 

Elainesnider

Member

Time of past OR future Camino

09/11/23

• Sep 24, 2023

• #13

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

 

R

RRat

Active Member

Time of past OR future Camino

Planning 2017

• Sep 24, 2023

• #14

SallGar said:

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.

Click to expand...

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.