Len Dacombe
Len from Canada
- Time of past OR future Camino
- April/May 2015 & September 2015
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) |
---|
Thanks Icacos. Orisson seems like a pretty short day. Of course I live on the flat prairie. I was hoping to make it to Roncesvalles on day #1 if at all possible. I am open to taking the Valcarlos route if necessary. It's nice to hear you found it beautiful and scenic too.You might do as I did ... for my April 7/13 start. I trained for the Route Napoleon, had my reservation at Orisson, and diverted at the last minute to Valcarlos when the pilgrim office in SJPP advised that the Route Napoleon was closed because of snow. I got a full refund from Orisson. I was pleasantly surprised at the Valcarlos route; it is beautiful. Be forewarned though - there is a short, very steep descent followed by an equally short, very steep ascent at the very end just before you enter Valcarlos.
didn't know if Orisson refunded: Yey! Thanks for the info (April 21 start)You might do as I did ... for my April 7/13 start. I trained for the Route Napoleon, had my reservation at Orisson, and diverted at the last minute to Valcarlos when the pilgrim office in SJPP advised that the Route Napoleon was closed because of snow. I got a full refund from Orisson. I was pleasantly surprised at the Valcarlos route; it is beautiful. Be forewarned though - there is a short, very steep descent followed by an equally short, very steep ascent at the very end just before you enter Valcarlos.
I did the Valcarlos route on my first Camino. Some beautiful scenery. It does get a tad bit steep towards the end before Roncesvalles, but plenty doable.Thanks Icacos. Orisson seems like a pretty short day. Of course I live on the flat prairie. I was hoping to make it to Roncesvalles on day #1 if at all possible. I am open to taking the Valcarlos route if necessary. It's nice to hear you found it beautiful and scenic too.
Yes, Len, Orisson is a very short day. We had planned it to be an afternoon walk after a morning absorbing the atmosphere in SJPP. As it was, we set out for Valcarlos after lunch, and stayed that night in a privately run hostel filled with relics of the owner's Basque grandparents' smuggling days. He had some wonderful stories to tell. When we emerged from the hostel the next morning at 11:30 we ran into peregrinos who had started in SJPP that morning and were continuing straight through to Roncesvalles - a humbling experience for us.Thanks Icacos. Orisson seems like a pretty short day. Of course I live on the flat prairie. I was hoping to make it to Roncesvalles on day #1 if at all possible. I am open to taking the Valcarlos route if necessary. It's nice to hear you found it beautiful and scenic too.
I
didn't know if Orisson refunded: Yey! Thanks for the info (April 21 start)
Thank you for these wonderful pictures. You might even elicit some converts from the Route Napoleon!I did the Valcarlos route on my first Camino. Some beautiful scenery. It does get a tad bit steep towards the end before Roncesvalles, but plenty doable.
View attachment 14994 View attachment 14995 View attachment 14996
As I am planning to be in SJPP by April 7th or 8th, I was wondering whether the Napolean route will be an option or not? Is the probability low? Just trying to plan ahead. Thanks.
I did the Valcarlos route on my first Camino. Some beautiful scenery. It does get a tad bit steep towards the end before Roncesvalles, but plenty doable.
View attachment 14994 View attachment 14995 View attachment 14996View attachment 14997
You really won't know until you speak to someone in the pilgrims office in STJPP and be sure to take their advice.
If your reports are from first-time peregrinos who started in SJPP, bear in mind that they would have been fresh on the trail and, quite likely, a bit apprehensive about everything; I know I was. As I recall (and others can correct me if I'm wrong) the Valcarlos road leading out of SJPP is very narrow, through a light residential area leading towards farmland. In very short order, one comes across the path on the right leading off-road onto the trail (easy to miss if one is not paying attention). I imagine the local residents and farmers are well aware of peregrinos using this road - in fair weather or foul - and are on the lookout for them...... since I have my heart set on starting in SJPP.
Reports I have read say the Valcarlos route can be very dangerous due to vehicle traffic on the road especially in bad weather. (?)
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?
We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:
Do you accept cookies and these technologies?