Juspassinthru
in our minds, we're vagabonds, you and I
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Francés 2017, Inglés 2019, Aragónes 2024
As I've been reflecting on my Camino's, I've been creating a list of memorable climbs on the routes that I've walked. Some were long, steep, long and steep. Sometimes it's the conditions or the condition I was in when I had to make that ascent. There are lot's of factors that make a climb memorable. These are the ones that stick in my mind and why.
- Urdos to Somport Pass at the end of the Chemin d'Arles. For me, this was the most difficult climb on the routes that I've walked. It's a difficult climb, gaining almost 1000m over about 15k. The length and elevation gain is a constant. We had a compounding factor of the terrain. In early April, the trails (no roads) were also the path of least resistance for the snow melt run off. The idyllic meadows were actually green bogs where at times you sunk midway up your calf. It was a long, difficult climb and our weather was good, a week later it apparently turned into a full blizzard. Definitely #1 on my list.
- SJPP to Roncesvalles. I did this in 2017, it too is a long, steep climb and it can be even more difficult in bad weather, fortunately it's closed in very bad weather, the climb to Somport is not. Three things make this #2, for me. First, the steepest climb is from outside of SJPP to just above Orrison so it's early and then it becomes a bit less steep. Second, if you want, you can break it into 2 days, many do. Third, you're on a path of some sort the whole time. Another reason it's so high on my list, it's Day One...welcome to the Camino!
- Ruesta to Sangüesa on the Aragónes. You leave the ruined town of Ruesta on a gentle downhill in a beautiful forest for about a kilometer, great start to the day. Then, the climb begins and it's a steep climb, 400m over about 6k. It's just kind of relentless, when you think you've reached the top, around the bend is another climb. It reminds me of the first part of the Francés up to Orisson. Some may disagree but this is #3 on my list.
- Villafranca del Bierzo to Trabadelo via Pradela alto on the Frances. It's a fairly long climb which starts steep and stays steep for an hour before it begins to become less steep until you reach the top. One plus is that if you start early, you're shaded most of the way. If you choose to make the climb investment, you're rewarded with great views and solitude. Definitely #4.
- Las Herrerías to O'C on the Francés. I'd forgotten about this one, it kind of snuck up on me last month even though I've climbed it 3 times now. The first 2/3 is the worst, steep and the trail in areas is very rough. We did the Pradela route but stopped in Las Herrerías. Before I'd done the river route out of Villafranca to O'C. IF I were younger, I MAY have done the Pradela alto route to O'C. I'd like to think that with age comes wisdom. Glad I broke it into 2 days. Yep, #5.
- Puente la Reina to Cirauqui on the Francés. This may surprise some, it's not horrendous, it's steep but relatively short but I just find it to be a grinder and I found more people stopping along the way here than on other similar climbs. I think because it's still early on the CF and usually early in the morning it just seems tougher than it should be. #6.
- Puente la Reina de Jaca to Arrés on the Aragónes. For me, what made this tough was that it comes at the end of another long day on the Aragónes and you can see Arrés and the albergue on the hill top...it's right there! And then you start the climb up the road (I know there's another option normally but construction blocked it) and it was just a soul crushing climb that seemed to never stop, I'd also run out of water. The last 100m it gets even more steep proving again that old Santiago has a sense of humor. The saving grace was that we were met by Jacquilena, the Hospitalera who had a great smile, an infectious laugh and water. Definitely memorable and #7 on the list.
- Castrojerez to Fromista on the Francés. Once again, maybe a surprise to some. It's not particularly long or overly steep but it stares you in the face as you leave Castrojerez and sort of taunts you as you approach it and then, you climb. Maybe I'm a bit masochistic, I enjoyed this climb on a beautiful morning with friends Nigel and I had met along the way. On a nice day, you're rewarded with a stunning view.