for early season pilgrims walking the Valcarlos route out of SJPdP

[RJM]

A couple of useful videos I watched on youtube. The gentleman posting the videos did a pretty good job showing the route on maps and filming himself walking it as well. There is the occasional youtube video about the Camino that is useful in a technical sense.
Hope this helps any early season pilgrims walking out of Saint Jean. May help to answer some questions and perhaps dispel some myths and exaggerations of the route. Having walked it before I can say it is very lovely. Nobody should feel cheated if weather or seasonal closing of the Napoleon puts you on the Valcarlos.

 

[Kanga]

I so agree. The Valcarlos route is lovely.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Here are the URLs for the videos in case anyone wants to pass them along or watch them full screen:

Stage 1a: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPaqFvBV_tU
Stage 1b: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjcJ3V2pIos
​

It was nice to see this alternative done in the way that has been done for the Route Napoleon but I missed having that last steep bit into Valcarlos shown.

Note that the Xs on the maps move along with the video.

 

[Sharonih]

No regrets or sadness about doing the Valcarlos route, It was absolutely gorgeous and my favourite part of the walk.