It’s 2 April. Is Napoleon pass open?

[Willigsu]

After all the discussion over the last month, it’s April! Out of curiosity, is Orisson Refuge open?

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

When will you want to start your Camino??

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

I heard last week that they were not going to be open for another week, at least. And about ten days ago, two pilgrims were extracted from the Refuge hut several km before Loepeder so it is not a good place to be right now.

Try contacting the Pilgrims' Office in SJPP.

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

https://stjeanpieddeport-roncevaux.jimdo.com/english/pilgrims-office/

Hereby the webadres of the Pilgrims-Office.

 

[Willigsu]

When will you want to start your Camino??

We plan to start on Friday, June 6th. We’re flying into Barcelona-landing tomorrow. Anticipate going through Val Carlos, but curious

 

[Anniesantiago]

You will not know until the day you leave. At this time of year snow can happen overnight. Check with the pilgrims office the day before you set out.

 

[Icacos]

.............Check with the pilgrims office the day before you set out.

Or the very morning you set out, as we almost learned the hard way when we set out at this time of the year. The situation can change overnight.

 

[Monasp]

We plan to start on Friday, June 6th. We’re flying into Barcelona-landing tomorrow. Anticipate going through Val Carlos, but curious

For all this week not possible to go by the pass there is to much snow at top. But in June no problem to go by the pass

 

[Peter Fransiscus]

We plan to start on Friday, June 6th. We’re flying into Barcelona-landing tomorrow. Anticipate going through Val Carlos, but curious

Yust curious , why ask iff the Napoleon route is open while you want start in June .

 

[t2andreo]

For clarification, when anyone speaks of the Pilgrim Office in this thread, or relating to Saint Jean Pied de Port, they are referring to the Pilgrim Office at Rue de Citadelle #39. That is where most all pilgrims check in, obtain a credencial if they need one, a first stamp, a scallop shell, and last minute advisories regarding weather and safety. The location is central and the value priceless.

Hope this helps.

 

[Clare Roberts]

For all this week not possible to go by the pass there is to much snow at top. But in June no problem to go by the pass

Wish to say how very helpful the Pilgrim office was in SJPP. We commenced our walk 1 April with fine weather, good path on alternative route. A tough day but made us stronger (our first test) but we reached the Monastery in Roncesvalles. A warm welcome as we came in from strong winds over the Roncesvalles Pass. Down into Zubiri today and a good walk. Slight rain this afternoon.
Buen Camino fellow Pilgrims

 

[Monasp]

Wish to say how very helpful the Pilgrim office was in SJPP. We commenced our walk 1 April with fine weather, good path on alternative route. A tough day but made us stronger (our first test) but we reached the Monastery in Roncesvalles. A warm welcome as we came in from strong winds over the Roncesvalles Pass. Down into Zubiri today and a good walk. Slight rain this afternoon.
Buen Camino fellow Pilgrims

Enjoy your Camino!!!

 

[iwalker]

Is the alternative route longer and steeper?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Is the alternative route longer and steeper?

No. It is shorter, and has less elevation change.

 

[Willigsu]

Yust curious , why ask iff the Napoleon route is open while you want start in June .

Oops. Yes I meant this Friday, April 6th. We are in Barcelona today and it was gorgeous (almost hot!). Tomorrow Pamplona and onto SJPP!

 

[Clare Roberts]

Oops. Yes I meant this Friday, April 6th. We are in Barcelona today and it was gorgeous (almost hot!). Tomorrow Pamplona and onto SJPP!

As suggested check the Pilgrim Office in SJPP when you arrive. It’s pending the snow at the top!! Best of luck
Buen Camino

 

[JeanB]

I'm booked into Refuge d'Orisson on 20th April. Fingers crossed.

 

[iwalker]

No. It is shorter, and has less elevation change.

Will the alternate route go through Orisson?

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Will the alternate route go through Orisson?

No. It sticks pretty much to the road to Valcarlos.

 

[Willigsu]

So its Thurs , April 5th, and we’ve made a reservation at Orisson for tomorrow night. There seems to be no worries with regard to the pass being open. The pilgrim office even called to reserve for us. Wonderful Basque meal tonight and tomorrow let the walk begin.

 

[GettingThere]

So its Thurs , April 5th, and we’ve made a reservation at Orisson for tomorrow night. There seems to be no worries with regard to the pass being open. The pilgrim office even called to reserve for us. Wonderful Basque meal tonight and tomorrow let the walk begin.

Buen Camino!

 

[Susan hopes]

Just out of curiosity, where did you stay in St. Jean?

 

[Willigsu]

We stayed at Donamaria B&B. It was absolutely delightful and I would never choose to stay anywhere else in SJPP.
BTW we did Orisson to Roncevalles today Glad to have done it—but weather did change and by the top it was windy, raining, hailing and COLD!!

 

[Raymond]

Is the alternative route longer and steeper?

I hav walked both. The valcares route has most of the climb towards the end of the route. From 400 meters above sea level to about 1200 meters asl. This is over the 6 K or so -then plus the short down hill into Roncesvalles.About 2k. It is a nice easy climb until then. If it is hot be certain to take plenty of water with you as there are no fountains on the last bit.

 

[Willigsu]

To follow up on our walk last weekend, even though the pass was open and no fears expressed regarding weather, the day we walked from Orisson to Roncesvalles turned nasty with rain, sleet, hail and amazing cold wind! That little shepherds hut became quite the gathering place. I was amazed at what we went through to get over the pass! Since then we have seen very cold, rainy and muddy days. Thankfully there’s always hope for tomorrow (and a warm, dry place with a glass of wine at night).

 

[Willigsu]

This was the one right on the route—modern?

 

[Willigsu]

Woe to us who left on Friday. Thank goodness for the Camino angels disguised as bomberos!

 

[VNwalking]

The Vacarlos route is the old and AUTHENTIC route, not a second class 'alternative route.'
Please forgive me for yelling but this cannot be said enough.
If you attempt the Hollywood (Napoleon) Route in winter conditions, you risk your own life and put others at risk. The Bombeiros are not camino angels but professional search and rescue team, with way too much experience pulling people who should not have gone there off the mountain.
If the good people at the Pilgrim's Office in St Jean say the Napoleon route is closed...do not go that way!

@ivar , perhaps until conditions allow walking the Napoleon Route, making a 'sticky' that everyone reads when they come to the Forum that basically repeats this message?:

As we advised on Sunday ... The conditions on the Route Napoleon are winter conditions. Stay away!

 

[CarolonthecaminocamIno]

Arriving at SJPP on April 18 I am planning to start the Camino on the 19th and will definitely follow the Pilgrim office advice. Can’t wait to get started!