LesBrass
Likes Walking
- Time of past OR future Camino
- yes...
Hello - there are often a lot of questions about the difficulty of the crossing from St Jean to Roncesvalles and I thought I would add my two penneth worth for anyone searching in the future.
Last autumn I walked the Camino Frances. I was due to start from St Jean but I became increasing nervous about the climb and I think in the end I convinced myself I couldnt do it. I changed my plans at the last minute and started from Roncesvalles. I made it to Santiago but there was not a day on my walk where I didn't regret my decision.
This year I had the chance to walk again and decided I would start from St Jean and walk the Napolean route. I arrived at St Jean (by car) at midday and made an advance booking at Orisson. This allowed me to start walking the first day and also allowed me to break the journey. I was a tad complaicent with my training over the winter so I wasn't as fit as I should have been but I stepped out of the car and on to the camino and it felt like coming home.
The first few kilometres were wonderful but when I got to Hunto (5km mark) I started to feel the steepness of the climb! The following three kilometres were very hard! I can tell you though I nearly skipped to Orisson when I saw it... I dont think I've ever felt so happy to see a albergue/refuge!
The evening at Orisson was wonderful - a great communal meal and a chance to meet your fellow pilgrims.
I was apprehensive of the walk to Roncesvalles the next day - we had rain, sleet, fog and snow and it was freezing cold but I have to say I never felt it was too hard or indeed as difficult as the 3km from Hunto to Orisson. I'd even say I really enojoyed the walk.
I dont want to give the impression this stage is easy but I will say that my own fears got the better of me the first time... so if you want to walk from St Jean go for it, you wont regret your decision. If you're ready for the camino you'll be ready for the climb... and book into Orisson and enjoy the rest if you're not sure about going over in one hit.
Happy walking!
Last autumn I walked the Camino Frances. I was due to start from St Jean but I became increasing nervous about the climb and I think in the end I convinced myself I couldnt do it. I changed my plans at the last minute and started from Roncesvalles. I made it to Santiago but there was not a day on my walk where I didn't regret my decision.
This year I had the chance to walk again and decided I would start from St Jean and walk the Napolean route. I arrived at St Jean (by car) at midday and made an advance booking at Orisson. This allowed me to start walking the first day and also allowed me to break the journey. I was a tad complaicent with my training over the winter so I wasn't as fit as I should have been but I stepped out of the car and on to the camino and it felt like coming home.
The first few kilometres were wonderful but when I got to Hunto (5km mark) I started to feel the steepness of the climb! The following three kilometres were very hard! I can tell you though I nearly skipped to Orisson when I saw it... I dont think I've ever felt so happy to see a albergue/refuge!
The evening at Orisson was wonderful - a great communal meal and a chance to meet your fellow pilgrims.
I was apprehensive of the walk to Roncesvalles the next day - we had rain, sleet, fog and snow and it was freezing cold but I have to say I never felt it was too hard or indeed as difficult as the 3km from Hunto to Orisson. I'd even say I really enojoyed the walk.
I dont want to give the impression this stage is easy but I will say that my own fears got the better of me the first time... so if you want to walk from St Jean go for it, you wont regret your decision. If you're ready for the camino you'll be ready for the climb... and book into Orisson and enjoy the rest if you're not sure about going over in one hit.
Happy walking!