Orisson

[sillydoll]

Two days ago a rather distraught pilgrim posted a message on another pilgrim forum that the albergues at Hunto and Orisson were completely full and neither would be able to give him a bed. He decided that he would see how he felt on Saturday and what the weather was like when he started his walk whether to take the Route Napoleon or walk on the road.
I have walked the road route and it is also very beautiful. It is a quiet road and the two routes meet at Orisson, about 11kms from St Jean, and then part ways again.
So if any of our May babies wer hoping to stay over at Orisson, please email them first to see if they have beds for you.

refuge.orisson@wanadoo.fr

 

[Anonymous]

Excellent advise, Sil. Here's info for the (private) albergue at Honto. It's a bit pricey, but worth it, what with good accomodations, great food, awesome views, nice folks. Best, xm 8)

Saint-Michel Honto à 6 km de St-Jean Auberge privée; ferme Ithurburia; Mme Ourtiague; 25 lits; 10,7 €; 1/2 pension 26 € pèlerin; ouvert en été; 05.59.37.11.17; Chambre d'hôte; même adresse; 38,10 € chambre de 2 personnes Auberge privée

 

[jeff001]

Sil:

Are you correct about a road route that meets the Route Napoleon at Orisson? According to all the information I have seen the road route follows the N-135 highway through Valcarlos and is entirely different.

 

[sillydoll]

St Jean to Orisson

There are variants whilst walking on the road route. From time to time you will see EU Camino signs that lead you off the road. The road route meets up with the Napoleon after about 11km at the Vierge d'Orisson. This is probably how the inhabitants reach their albergue. (Perhaps this is where poor old Santos went wrong and got lost for over 16 hours in the snow?)

 

[sillydoll]

Orisson route

My apologies pilgrims! I think Jeff could be right about the two not meeting at all.
I think the routes I was reading about were the alternate GR65 routes and not the road/Napoleon routes.

The map on the Espirit du Chemin website does not show the road route connecting at all with the road to Orisson.

http://www.espritduchemin.org/engels_ca ... #oversteek

The CSJ Guide which we used to walk the Via Turonensis (Paris to the Pyrenees) states that:

The Route Napoleon is the GR65 variant, the main GR65 being a walkers rather than a pilgrims' route. The two only join up after 11km at the Vierge d'Orisson. They separate 100m later the main GR5 turning right up the Chemin de Mayorga - the route Naploeon continues ahead up the Route Saint-Michel.

 

[jeff001]

Check this map:
http://groups.msn.com/ElCaminoSantiago/caminomaps3.msnw

 

[Anonymous]

Excellent illustration of the SJ-Roncesv road, thanks for sharing. xm 8)

 

[sillydoll]

Yep - Grant's maps are excellent.
That's the route the taxi takes when it transports people to Orisson.

 

[Anonymous]

¡Olé!, to both u guys' maps! I've printed them all. Best, xm 8)