From SJPDP for a week April 2015

[Katemc]

hi, we are thinking of doing part of the camino this April and were thinking of starting in SJPDP. We will only have about a week or so. Looking for ideas and advice regarding how far we could realistically expect to walk, how difficult it would be hiking in the Pyrenees, what we should expect for the weather at beginning of April. I'd consider us to be fairly fit but that said we wouldn't have much experience hiking in mountains! Any other thoughts or comments would be appreciated. Thanks for your help. Kate.

 

[Jo Jo]

We had a member of our Camino family who did this. Just started at SJPP and walked until she had to catch a bus back to Madrid. You will be able to make it at least to Pamplona, and you could end at Alto de Perdon (with all of the silhouettes of medieval pilgrims), just west of Pamplona.

The Pyrenees may or may not be that tough based on your hiking experience, but time solves everything. If you have time (and you do--it took us 3.5 days from SJPP to Pamplona), you can just take it as slow as you need. I'd recommend staying at Orisson the first night. That allows you to take the Pyrenees in two smaller bites. Make reservations early.

 

[Katemc]

Thanks! That's a great help. Flights booked so need to start looking into orrisson.

 

[AudTrekker]

Thanks! That's a great help. Flights booked so need to start looking into orrisson.

Hi Kate,
Myself and 3 of my sisters walked from SJPP for 5 days last May and ended up in Estella.
We didn't stop in Orisson but walked to Roncesvalles on the first day.
We're going back in May to walk another week.
Buen camino,
Audrey

 

[Katemc]

Hi. Would it be more weather conditions that would necessitate a stop in orrisson? Or would it be better to stop there to ease ourselves into the walk? Also, we are going to be starting Good Friday- I suppose shops may be closed but assume most hostels and restaurants will be open as normal.

 

[AudTrekker]

Hi. It was raining the day we started from SJPP but we're Irish so used to that. We left about 7am, stopped 3 times along the way including coffee and a lovely cake on Orisson, and got to Roncesvalles around 3 pm. It was a bit muddy in parts and slippy on the descent but not too bad. If you're reasonably fit and used to walking you should have no problems.
As for what's open on Good Friday maybe some other forum members who have been there at that time might know.

 

[Katemc]

Hi. It was raining the day we started from SJPP but we're Irish so used to that. We left about 7am, stopped 3 times along the way including coffee and a lovely cake on Orisson, and got to Roncesvalles around 3 pm. It was a bit muddy in parts and slippy on the descent but not too bad. If you're reasonably fit and used to walking you should have no problems.
As for what's open on Good Friday maybe some other forum members who have been there at that time might know.

So compared to "the Reek", how hard will it be? Thinking of doing it as a training climb!

 

[AudTrekker]

So compared to "the Reek", how hard will it be? Thinking of doing it as a training climb!

Haven't done the Reek but believe it is hard going on the way down - very shaley ( is that a word?)
The road out of St. Jean is paved for a long way but it is higher than Croagh Patrick and a lot more kms.
If you do the Reek just don't slide down and injure yourself before you even get on the Camino!

 

[Nandy61]

So compared to "the Reek", how hard will it be? Thinking of doing it as a training climb!

most of the climb out of StJPP is like the first part of Croagh Patrick. Its a climb, but its not like the top half of the Reek (i.e straight up!) I did Croagh Patrick in 1:30 min up. (for you to gauge) It was just under 2:45 min hours from StJPP to Orisson. And there is no shale. The next morning we left Orisson at 7:45 am and arrived at Roncesvalles at 12:35pm. Again, no shale.

 

[Katemc]

That's a great help. Thanks. It's good to have an idea of something to compare it against. Now to climb the reek!

 

[Mark Lee]

If I only had a week to walk on the Camino, I would definitely try to push on to Roncesvalles the first day. Walking to Orisson and stopping there makes for a very short Camino day.
Again, it depends on your physical condition, fitness level and pack weight.