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Alexwalker,The walk up is not difficult. Take your time.
When you come up, you can walk down on the road, to Uterga where there are albergues. At your (and my) age, I would not recommend following the Camino path down: It is very rocky and much more difficult than the walk up to Alto del Perdon. I would say it is on the verge of being dangerous for old feet.
Buen Camino!
I'd say very dangerous. I flew in from states to Madrid and took a train to Pamplona to re-start my Camino and started my day in Pamplona at 3:15pm. I was tired and hadn't slept...my legs were WORKED after that downhill and I felt the effects for three days...not until I left Najera did my legs feel strong and I think that descent was a cause.The walk up is not difficult. Take your time.
When you come up, you can walk down on the road, to Uterga where there are albergues. At your (and my) age, I would not recommend following the Camino path down: It is very rocky and much more difficult than the walk up to Alto del Perdon. I would say it is on the verge of being dangerous for old feet.
Buen Camino!
Sure.Would it be sensible to do the stage from Pamploma to Puente la Reina in two days? if so where would you suggest to stay overnight.
Are there tuk- tuks and yaks available for the over 80's ?It's gradual, not nearly as intense as the stage from SJPP. What's intense is the stony downhill side. Really unpleasant.
Sure.
Zariquiegui, Uterga, or Muruzabal.
I loved staying in Muruzabal since it is relatively close to Eunate, just a few km. So you can leave your pack at the albergue and walk there unencumbered. Or walk to PlR via there in the morning.
If my memory serves me right: There is usually a kiosk van up there. Take right when in front of it.Alexwalker,
Could you please identify on which road and direction you walked from the Alto monument in order to descend by road to Utergaa?
Did you walk it yourself? What was the traffic like, both on the part that is the NA-1100 and on the part that is the NA-6016?If my memory serves me right: There is usually a kiosk van up there. Take right when in front of it.
No, but I should have the last time. The path downhill can be dangerous: I didn't feel comfortable walking there the last time (2022). Next time, I'll take the (somewhat longer) road walk.Did you walk it yourself? What was the traffic like, both on the part that is the NA-1100 and on the part that is the NA-6016?
Thanks for your update. Past years when I could hike during 10 CFs I bypassed the Alto twice (see #4 above) and climbed it 8 times. Never saw a food truck but always stayed at Uterga after walking the stony descent.If my memory serves me right: There is usually a kiosk van up there. Take right when in front of it.
Edit: Yes, take right at Alto del Perdon. There's only one road up there. Study the map: after a while there's a shortcut road to Uterga, and as others have said: Finding a bed and dinner in Uterga may be a good end to the day.
I was today years old when I learned you could take the road to Uterga from the summit.The walk up is not difficult. Take your time.
When you come up, you can walk down on the road, to Uterga where there are albergues. At your (and my) age, I would not recommend following the Camino path down: It is very rocky and much more difficult than the walk up to Alto del Perdon. I would say it is on the verge of being dangerous for old feet.
Buen Camino!
As far as I can judge from maps, taking right on top and the keep left at every crossing, you should pretty fast end up in Uterga. Maybe @Kathar1na can check it out?@kathThanks for your update. Past years when I could hike during 10 CFs I bypassed the Alto twice (see #4 above) and climbed it 8 times. Never saw a food truck but always stayed at Uterga after walking the stony descent.
I wonder, is there signage?As far as I can judge from maps, taking right on top and the keep left at every crossing, you should pretty fast end up in Uterga. Maybe @Kathar1na can check it out?
It is not overly steep - at least going up. It is longish, but gradual.How steep is the climb to Alto de Perdon. I shall be rejoining the camino late in May from Pamploma. I did the stage from SJPP to Pamploma last May and found the climb on the first two days VERY difficult (I should point out that I'm 82 years old and in fair condition for my age) Would it be sensible to do the stage from Pamploma to Puente la Reina in two days? if so where would you suggest to stay overnight.
That descent is challenging for the bit. As a side comment a little trick on steep descents is to extend your walking pole length and get them out in front of you to give more points of contact. But you should take the road if there is any fear of a stumble.How steep is the climb to Alto de Perdon. I shall be rejoining the camino late in May from Pamploma. I did the stage from SJPP to Pamploma last May and found the climb on the first two days VERY difficult (I should point out that I'm 82 years old and in fair condition for my age) Would it be sensible to do the stage from Pamploma to Puente la Reina in two days? if so where would you suggest to stay overnight.
Actually it's more difficult going down after getting to top very rough rocky steep in places very definitely need a walking stick but considering your age maybe better taking road route down I'm 71 years old myself and doing from Pamplona to Astorga this year starting out on 11th May any way you choose take care I admire your spirit God bless Buen Caminoclimb up? easy
once you hit the top? climb down towards Obanos and Puente la Reina...quite arduous. I believe there is an alternative route for bicyclists and I'd strongly suggest you look at that alternative.
Hello RayDHow steep is the climb to Alto de Perdon. I shall be rejoining the camino late in May from Pamploma. I did the stage from SJPP to Pamploma last May and found the climb on the first two days VERY difficult (I should point out that I'm 82 years old and in fair condition for my age) Would it be sensible to do the stage from Pamploma to Puente la Reina in two days? if so where would you suggest to stay overnight.
Another way of Going Around is via....
Going down however is treacherous as you can see here and one must watch every step. I like mspath's idea. Perhaps going around at your age would be the better choice.
View attachment 143415View attachment 143416
Buen Camino
Great idea on the vest! There’s a version where it’s just straps that might be more comfy for summer. I’m going to take one!A study of the climb and descent of Alto del Perdon can be reviewed also on Google Earth. I just took a look at it from Zariquigui to the South base of Alto del Perdon. I have not been ther since 2018, 5 years. But when I was, that descent was not a path but a wash out, very rocky and uneven. When looking at Google Earth, many side paths have been created over time to avoid the worst sections.
I am younger but not by much and would definitely take the road next time.
In fact, for my own safety, I plan to pack a light Summer Safety vest for those times when road walking is the best option.
The other replies are correct - to a point. It's a harsh, rocky walk but if you are using nordic poles perfectly safe. The extra stability provided by the poles I would say is almost essential for older legs and perhaps diminished balance. I was 73 when I walked it two years ago and would not hesitate to do it again. I quite easily made Pamplona to Puente in one day.How steep is the climb to Alto de Perdon. I shall be rejoining the camino late in May from Pamploma. I did the stage from SJPP to Pamploma last May and found the climb on the first two days VERY difficult (I should point out that I'm 82 years old and in fair condition for my age) Would it be sensible to do the stage from Pamploma to Puente la Reina in two days? if so where would you suggest to stay overnight.
Yep take it easy going up and take care going downHow steep is the climb to Alto de Perdon. I shall be rejoining the camino late in May from Pamploma. I did the stage from SJPP to Pamploma last May and found the climb on the first two days VERY difficult (I should point out that I'm 82 years old and in fair condition for my age) Would it be sensible to do the stage from Pamploma to Puente la Reina in two days? if so where would you suggest to stay overnight.
IF your load is light. I pedaled up the 14% grade in Bilbao to get from the airport to the bus station, but on the Alto del Perdón, I had to walk the bike and the 37-kilo trailer. Halfway up, I unhooked the trailer and hung it on my back, and a Korean pilgrim carried the bike for me.climb up? easy
I was looking down that path, pondering whether it was foolish, and a local advised me to take the paved road. On which I had to use the brakes a LOT to keep from going faster than I could control the steering.once you hit the top? climb down towards Obanos and Puente la Reina...quite arduous. I believe there is an alternative route for bicyclists and I'd strongly suggest you look at that alternative.
@RayD,How steep is the climb to Alto de Perdon. I shall be rejoining the camino late in May from Pamploma. I did the stage from SJPP to Pamploma last May and found the climb on the first two days VERY difficult (I should point out that I'm 82 years old and in fair condition for my age) Would it be sensible to do the stage from Pamploma to Puente la Reina in two days? if so where would you suggest to stay overnight.
How steep is the climb to Alto de Perdon
I agree with @Bradypus: that was also my experience. As others have remarked, it is the descent down through rubble (as in 2016) that can be challenging.I walked that way in January this year. Most of the ascent to the Alto de Perdon is quite gradual over a long distance.
Regrettably, I disagree. As an avid road walker and very conscious of my safety, not only do the shoulders seem adequate, there is very little traffic. I say that having "walked" the route from Alto del Perdon, down NA 6506 then along NA 1110 and NA 5016 to Uterga using street level imagery. Still need to be watchful.And here's what the two NA roads look like - no good shoulder/sidewalk for pedestrians to walk on
isn't that exactly what I said? yes, the climb up is easy...but coming down is quite arduous. (I'm American and arduous means quite difficult, fwiw)Actually it's more difficult going down after getting to top very rough rocky steep in places very definitely need a walking stick but considering your age maybe better taking road route down I'm 71 years old myself and doing from Pamplona to Astorga this year starting out on 11th May any way you choose take care I admire your spirit God bless Buen Camino
37kg is a serious load even including the weight of the trailer..IF your load is light. I pedaled up the 14% grade in Bilbao to get from the airport to the bus station, but on the Alto del Perdón, I had to walk the bike and the 37-kilo trailer. Halfway up, I unhooked the trailer and hung it on my back, and a Korean pilgrim carried the bike for me.
I was looking down that path, pondering whether it was foolish, and a local advised me to take the paved road. On which I had to use the brakes a LOT to keep from going faster than I could control the steering.
I remember that, but for us it was 2014. Things may have changed since then...The way up the hill was not as steeply miserable as the way up to Orrison was. It was one-butt-wide, though, and a little frozen rain did appear. (Late May.) At the top, I have a treasured photo of DH posing with the steel dog, and his rain poncho is blowing off to the side.The walk up is not difficult. Take your time.
When you come up, you can walk down on the road, to Uterga where there are albergues. At your (and my) age, I would not recommend following the Camino path down: It is very rocky and much more difficult than the walk up to Alto del Perdon. I would say it is on the verge of being dangerous for old feet.
Buen Camino!
Thanks for the update!After suffering with trepidation from reading this thread, I did the Alto de Perdon descent today.
Almost perfect weather helped perhaps, but if you have any experience coming down a moderately rocky hiking slope you shouldn’t have any issues.
A precise observation @Texas Walker. The fast-flowing "stream" was flowing 25 million years ago, and the rubble came from the rising mountains to the north, being later consolidated into conglomerate. And yes, tectonic forces "upended" it at a steep angle. The "drained away" appearance has resulted from the fine matrix holding the rock together eroding away at the surface. The outcrop is almost 15km long E-W. Hard to miss these days!The way down the other side, though, I still describe as "an upended trout stream, where the water all drained away and all that's left is the many, many large rocks."
That was the weight of the trailer AND its contents. Empty, it's six kilograms.37kg is a serious load even including the weight of the trailer..
Yes the descent is quite a challenge. Use hiking poles and take all the time you need.I walked that way in January this year. Most of the ascent to the Alto de Perdon is quite gradual over a long distance. There is one short section of dirt path - perhaps 50 metres - which is seriously steep. One to take slowly and carefully. Apart from that the ascent is not a major problem. The descent is much more challenging with a rough rocky surface.
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