Le Puy to El Norte- Gr10

[sportymom]

SJPD to Irun. How terribly technical is it?
I did one day 30km a hike in Albania last fall, and there were sections that only left me with 6" at the most to a 1200m meter drop, areas where I had to jump 2ft across from one mountain to the next with 1200m straight down and cliff side. It was terrifying, and I had a group to help me. Otherwise I would have frozen. I am planning to connect from Le Puy to El Norte. And GR10 seems to be the best marked route? I will be solo.
-also- if there are other well marked routes, I'm fine with that. Bike paths etc. I don't "need" to do the Gr10, I'm fine with whatever. I just need to connect Le Puy with El Norte.

 

[Pafayac]

An alternative is to take "Voie de la Nive" ("Nive way") in reverse to walk from SJPP to Hendaye/Irun.

Voie Nive - Bidassoa (St Jean P. Port - Hendaye / Irun) - AUCOEURDUCHEMIN

www.aucoeurduchemin.org

 

[Richard P]

In 2015 after following the chemin from Geneva I left it at St. Palais and more or less followed an Older couple (older than me) along a section of signed chemin which went from St. Palais to Helette then GR8 to Sare then Hendaye. I say more or less because it was raining so heavily at times that I just stuck to the road rather than splashing across fields but there were Gites or Accueils in each of the towns.
In the sunshine I think it would have been a beautiful walk.

 

[RobboSC]

As Pafayac mentioned the Voie de Nive is a great option, I walked it back in 2016... and I promise there are no 1200 meter drops to worry about

I actually did it in three stages and if you want to check out my travelogue from that part it's Day's 22, 23 and 24 at the following link.

https://m.youtube.com/@caminono.5-alittlebitofrob186/videos?mibextid=Zxz2cZ

Buen Camino!

 

[Joe Macky]

SJPD to Irun. How terribly technical is it?
I did one day 30km a hike in Albania last fall, and there were sections that only left me with 6" at the most to a 1200m meter drop, areas where I had to jump 2ft across from one mountain to the next with 1200m straight down and cliff side. It was terrifying, and I had a group to help me. Otherwise I would have frozen. I am planning to connect from Le Puy to El Norte. And GR10 seems to be the best marked route? I will be solo.
-also- if there are other well marked routes, I'm fine with that. Bike paths etc. I don't "need" to do the Gr10, I'm fine with whatever. I just need to connect Le Puy with El Norte.

I walked the GR10 from SJPdP to Irun (then to SdC via Norte and Primitivo) exactly a year ago. A lot of up and down, avg about 800m up and down every day, but trail well marked and no extreme drop offs. I had good weather and the sights magnificent. Raptors. Up close. Avg 20 kms a day. Stops at St Etienne de Baigorry, Bidarray, Ainhoa, Olhette, then Irun. Not lots of accom options but ok. Most traffic is coming the other way. Don’t think I came across anyone going West.
I like mountains so I loved it. Great conditioning for the Norte. FWIW I’m a fit 70yo.
Recommended.
Buen Camino sportymom whatever you decide!

 

[BlackRocker57]

SJPD to Irun. How terribly technical is it?
I did one day 30km a hike in Albania last fall, and there were sections that only left me with 6" at the most to a 1200m meter drop, areas where I had to jump 2ft across from one mountain to the next with 1200m straight down and cliff side. It was terrifying, and I had a group to help me. Otherwise I would have frozen. I am planning to connect from Le Puy to El Norte. And GR10 seems to be the best marked route? I will be solo.
-also- if there are other well marked routes, I'm fine with that. Bike paths etc. I don't "need" to do the Gr10, I'm fine with whatever. I just need to connect Le Puy with El Norte.

As others have suggested, rekkon the Voie Nive Bidassoa is the way to go ... beautiful basque countryside ... the file posted by @Pafayac from <aucoeurduchemin> will serve you well ... good, helpful and reliable info ... bon chemin et profite bien