First Day in SJPP -- Time to Explore

[Man in Black]

This is our first camino and we will be staying at SJPP on September 9, 2017 and commence our pilgrimage on Sunday September 10, 2017. We are booked to stay at the hostel in Orisson on the Sunday and given the distance (even accounting for the elevation gain) we will be hiking 3 hours or so with many more hours in the day free to roam. Any suggestions on activities in SJPP and area in the morning or is it best to strike off to Orisson first thing and get acclimated to alpine air?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

I found that a good walking tour took about two hours. Everything else was food and store visits.

 

[Alasdair Kay]

I would say if you are booked take them morning in SJPP and have a leisurely lunch and then miss the early morning stampede up the hill. you will also have less of a crush at the pilgrim office as well..

 

[Bradypus]

Any suggestions on activities in SJPP and area in the morning or is it best to strike off to Orisson first thing and get acclimated to alpine air?

If you are walking the Route Napoleon you will be reaching a maximum elevation of a little over 1400m. Most people will notice no real difference between the air at that height and sea level and it is nowhere near high enough to need acclimatisation! I wouldn't let that factor determine your plans.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

http://www.saintjeanpieddeport-pays...d/2061/18409/version/2/file/Plans anglais.pdf
http://www.caminomyway.com/a-walk-in-st-jean-pied-de-port-france
http://wikitravel.org/en/Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port

 

[nycwalking]

No advice just a buen, wish I were there, csmino.

 

[trecile]

No advice just a buen, wish I were there, camino.

My sentiments exactly!

 

[CaminoDebrita]

When I arrived in SJPP for the first time in 2015, I had been viewing photos of it, reading about it, and planning for it for about a year. I was in NO hurry to leave it! I spent the first part of the morning helping my friend get going, and walked her to the base of the hill. Then, I had coffee, walked around, got some walking sticks...and wandered around more. Then I visited the church, where I had an emotional moment!

Such a dream had finally come to fruition.

In hindsight, I should have marched up that hill, as the next day the weather was abysmal!

 

[PanamaFrancis]

This is our first camino and we will be staying at SJPP on September 9, 2017 and commence our pilgrimage on Sunday September 10, 2017. We are booked to stay at the hostel in Orisson on the Sunday and given the distance (even accounting for the elevation gain) we will be hiking 3 hours or so with many more hours in the day free to roam. Any suggestions on activities in SJPP and area in the morning or is it best to strike off to Orisson first thing and get acclimated to alpine air?

We start in Roncesvalles on the 10th. Hope to meet you on the Way. Buen Camino!!!

 

[Man in Black]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and good wishes.

 

[CaminoDebrita]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and good wishes.

I just wanted to add that I love your photo of yourselves in Fort William. My husband and I walked the W. Highland Way last year, and enjoyed it!

 

[Deleted member 43985]

A hike up to the Citadel was well worth the minor effort for us. Beautiful structure and the view from up there is stunning! It only takes and hour or less and could be a nice warm-up for the legs for the elevation to come. Buen Camino!

 

[John Sikora]

Just make sure you have some Basque food and cider.