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Although the Camino Francés between Roncesvalles and Santiago (700 or more kilometers) has quite some up and downs, most of these are not likely to cause vertigo. There are a few dangerous stretches, which can all be circumvented by walking along the main roads.yukonchick said:My concerns are not so much the walking, but the heights and inclines as I do have a fear of heights.
nellpilgrim said:I felt like an aztec sacrificial victim climbing up the damn things but they provided a short cut into the town - so I was outvoted
oursonpolaire said:The walk up to O Cebreiro from Ruitelan was very difficult for me, however, and on repeated trips, I have taken a taxi for that stretch.
fraluchi said:There are a few dangerous stretches, which can all be circumvented by walking along the main roads.
SabineP said:The only descent on the CF where I felt a bit insecure ( not the height but more the rocky surface downwards ) was the walk from El Acebo over Riego de Ambros into Molinaseca. A decent is much more tiring for me than climbing up.
But all in all it is all very doable.
yukonchick said:oursonpolaire said:The walk up to O Cebreiro from Ruitelan was very difficult for me, however, and on repeated trips, I have taken a taxi for that stretch.
Sounds reasonable - but my question (from one who hasn't been there yet) is...if it's too steep for us, how can cars manoeuver????
markss said:Based on contradictory comments and the overly dramatic descriptions in some of the books and literature that I read in advance as it related to this subject, I considered starting in Pamplona rather than SJPP. I am so glad that I instead chose to listen to those from this forum who said that there was nothing to worry about. I reluctantly therefore did begin in SJPP. That first stage out of SJPP is like no other. I consider it to be the best section of the Camino.
!
SabineP said:The walk up to O' Ceb has a walkingpath for hikers and than there's a parallel road for bikers and cars.
yukonchick said:SabineP said:The walk up to O' Ceb has a walkingpath for hikers and than there's a parallel road for bikers and cars.
So...if it's difficult...can we use the biking trail for the walk, if it comes down to quitting or going on?? Is there Camino police to keep people on their own trail?
BlackDog said:As a vertigo sufferer I do wish that those with a fear of heights would not use the term Vertigo to describe Acrophobia (from the Greek: ἄκρον, ákron , meaning "peak, summit, edge" and φόβος, phóbos, "fear"). While I sympathise with the symptoms it is unhelpful and confusing to describe your symptoms as vertigo which is a physiological disorder and not a psychological problem.
My wife and I have walked the Camino Francés from Roncesvalles to Santiago on several occasions. She suffers vertigo and I can assure you that there was no passage where she became concerned. Yes, there are stretches where you must be careful as to where and how you put your feet. The few existing, difficult passages are properly signposted and protected, but not causing vertigo.yukonchick said:I believe the psychological can cause the physiological, as well, which further muddies the water. That I have done so much that involves heights, I know there are triggers that render me panicky and immobile. And how that relates to the Camino is the subject of my interest.
yukonchick said:SabineP said:The walk up to O' Ceb has a walkingpath for hikers and than there's a parallel road for bikers and cars.
So...if it's difficult...can we use the biking trail for the walk, if it comes down to quitting or going on?? Is there Camino police to keep people on their own trail?
Although the Camino Francés between Roncesvalles and Santiago (700 or more kilometers) has quite some up and downs, most of these are not likely to cause vertigo. There are a few dangerous stretches, which can all be circumvented by walking along the main roads.
Hi j4janA few dangerous stretches??? What are they? I have an irrational fear of heights. If there are any 'cliffside' moments on the walk, please advise as I become immobilized, extremely panicky, a danger to others. If I know what to expect I'll arrange transportation to avoid those spots. Thank you!
A few dangerous stretches??? What are they? I have an irrational fear of heights. If there are any 'cliffside' moments on the walk, please advise as I become immobilized, extremely panicky, a danger to others. If I know what to expect I'll arrange transportation to avoid those spots. Thank you!
I do not remember any cliff spots on the Frances either but there are a number of steep spots (both up and down.) These can be tricky when there are wet rocks, mud or gravel. A number are on roads or road width trails and zig-zagging can reduce the pitch (and increase the travel time.) Others can just be approached carefully and some can by-passed. The ones on the Frances that I remember being complained about frequently on the forum are:I didn't walk the entire Frances, but I think there are no cliffs.
I remember it(why didn't @Smallest_Sparrow remember this?)
Fellow vertigo sufferer here, the only, for me, dangerous bit were some stepping stones over a stream near Zubiri/Larrasoaña but they could be easily avoided by taking the road option a couple of meters to the left. Otherwise no problems at all and I have severe vertigo (can't even climb a chair without problems).
So, Buen Camino, SY
PS I also always told the albergues about my vertigo and, together with my greyish hair, always got a lower bunk bed.
Hi j4jan
I didn't walk the entire Frances, but I think there are no cliffs. I met more than one walker who was blind, and have read of one in a wheelchair. whew.
sometimes the road can be slippery if there is ice or lots of rain...fall onto you rear or nose slippery, not fall to your death. A pilgrim did recently fall (maybe 3 or 4 years ago) between SJPdP and Roncessvalles, breaking her arm, but I believe she was wandering in a snowstorm. Another died maybe 5 or 6 years ago doing the same thing. If it is snowing, people are told to take the Valcarlos route (both of these above were on Napoleon)...because the road there is passable in bad weather. Anytime the weather would make the road seem too slippery, there is always an alternative, either take the route marked for bikes, or a cab, or a bus, or let the weather change.
The only spot I've seen many complain about (and I walked it and would agree) is it is a steep decent from the Cruz de Ferro into Molinaseca. Not fall to your death, just hard on the knees. But it would be quite adrenaline producing on a bike.
anyway, here is a couple of websites (in Spanish, translatable with Google) just click on the route you will be taking (frances, norte, etc) then click on each step, and you will see the distances between albergues, and the elevations (up and down) and comments about any tricky spots, and pictures.
You will be fine!
Buen Camino
edit: the road to Molineseca would be adrenaline producing on a bike because you could get going quite quickly and it is very winding (and you share with cars) . The walkers have their own path. at no time are you clinging to cliffs, or walking on a narrow strip of earth with a canyon below
don't. they also ask your age when you check in. You could always add a decade or two, just to ensure that lower bunkThank you, SY. Maybe I should stop 'highlighting' now.
Lol. I don't think I'll need to 'add a decade or two'. Oh, the $ I'll save non-highlighting!don't. they also ask your age when you check in. You could always add a decade or two, just to ensure that lower bunk
... Oh, the $ I'll save non-highlighting!
I have your book! Got it from Amazon. So thorough...a real help!And all those $$$ could go towards another Camino ;-) Buen Camino, SY
Aha! Found the sites. Thank you; new at this. This looks amazing...so detailed...excellent!!I do not remember any cliff spots on the Frances either but there are a number of steep spots (both up and down.) These can be tricky when there are wet rocks, mud or gravel. A number are on roads or road width trails and zig-zagging can reduce the pitch (and increase the travel time.) Others can just be approached carefully and some can by-passed. The ones on the Frances that I remember being complained about frequently on the forum are:
- On the Route Napolean from the Col Lepoeder to Roncevalles. Very shortly after the high point at Lepoeder the camino dives into the woods and it is steep (why didn't @Smallest_Sparrow remember this?) But where it goes into the woods there is a road that is a safer alternative.
The map at the url below is centered at Col Lepoeder. From there you see the easy way (white road) heading south and then north at the switchback and then heading generally west. Just north of the switchback turn you see the shorter, steeper and wooded way (dotted black line) headed south-west. The map is interactive and with the top right dropdown menu you can select the type of map you want to see (including satellite views.)
http://www.gpsvisualizer.com/draw/?type=OPENTOPOMAP&zoom=15¢er=43.026259,-1.295378
A Col Lepoeder photo with guidance information is on the forum at
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/camino-photos/signpost-at-lepoeder-easier-variant-to-roncesvalles-by-ibañeta-chapel.5686/
- The last half of the Roncevalles to Zubiri stage is also steep. The highway could be taken instead. Choose between the possibilities of slipping or getting hit by a car.
- The descent from the Alto de Pedron. Steep with rocks and gravel but wide enough for ziz-zags.
- There is a ridge after Castrojeriz that is steep going up and steeper going down. This is on a road though with little traffic and is safe (unless you are going down on a bicycle.
)
Photo: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/camino-photos/castrojeriz-fromista.4234/
- The camino just before Molinaseca can be slippery even when dry (dust on rocks) but go slow and you'll be fine. Photos:
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/camino-photos/french-way.4853/
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...-section-on-the-descent-into-molinaseca.2087/
- There has recently been talk on the forum about a new steep bit before Portomarin.
if you mean the ones i mentioned,Did I miss the websites somewhere?
LOL SY, one step (camino) at a time!I have your book! Got it from Amazon. So thorough...a real help!
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