- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino primitivo April 24
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You're certainly on top of things! If (and only you can decide that "if"), you want to start on the French side of the pass, you could take the bus from Canfranc Estacion over the Somport pass to Urdos, stay at the gite there, and climb from the French side up to the pass rather than starting there. IMHO, it's a more spectacular walk than the climb to the pass from SJPDP, with the snow-capped mountains looming up above you. You're undoubtedly following the other posts that have been running on this, and about the road closures before Urdos, so I won't link them, but if you want to take the bus from Canfranc Estacion to Urdos, it looks like there's 4 buses per day, and it's only a 20 minute ride, so maybe it could fit in easily to your itinerary. Here's the schedule: https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:US:37ca76c1-9263-4722-a6cb-96f82414b7c8I'm walking the Aragones in April, probably starting in Somport. I'm trying to get an idea of the public transport I'll need. BTW, thanks to everyone for all the info in previous posts. I've learned a lot.
Here's what I think I'll do. Please feel free to tell me where I've got it wrong, or how I could do it better.
I'm flying into Madrid (from the States) and then taking a train that morning to Zaragoza where I'll spend the night. The next morning I'll take a train to Jaca and bus to Somport from there. I'll either spend the night in Somport or start walking that day to Confrac Pueblo. Next day walk to Jaca.
From Jaca, I'd like to go to the Monastery but the bus isn't running from Jaca until May (true?), so that means I have to take a taxi. I could take a taxi from Jaca to the monastery and then walk to Santa Cilia OR walk to Santa Cilia from Jaca and take a taxi to monastery from there. Then walk back to Santa Cilia or all the way to Arres. OR I guess I could walk to Santa Cilia from Jaca and spend the night. Then walk to the monastery and back the next day.
What is the walk from the monastery to Santa Cilia like? Or the walk from Jaca to Santa Cilia?
The rest of the route is straight forward. I will continue on a bit on the Frances, but don't have time to go all the way to Santiago this time. (I've walked into Santigo quite a few times, lost count how many. I've done all the most popular routes, so I have experience.)
To complicate things a tiny bit more, I could start a few stages farther into France, but that would mean more time on buses or trains before I start, yes? I have three weeks from landing in Spain until I leave again from Madrid.
Thoughts?
Cat
We walked the "camino" route down from the monasteries. DONT DO IT!!! Very steep and at one point you are hanging onto a cable attached to a cliff to get down.
You're certainly on top of things! If (and only you can decide that "if"), you want to start on the French side of the pass, you could take the bus from Canfranc Estacion over the Somport pass to Urdos, stay at the gite there, and climb from the French side up to the pass rather than starting there. IMHO, it's a more spectacular walk than the climb to the pass from SJPDP, with the snow-capped mountains looming up above you. You're undoubtedly following the other posts that have been running on this, and about the road closures before Urdos,
Oh dear, Terri! I have such a problem answering a question like this. Of course, you'll be missing something. (But on the other end, you'll gain whatever you do instead).I have a question. My current plan is to start at Oloron-Sainte-Marie. Will I be missing anything if I decide to start from Urdos instead?
I would start before Somport and do the walk uphill because it is gorgeous!I'm walking the Aragones in April, probably starting in Somport. I'm trying to get an idea of the public transport I'll need. BTW, thanks to everyone for all the info in previous posts. I've learned a lot.
Here's what I think I'll do. Please feel free to tell me where I've got it wrong, or how I could do it better.
I'm flying into Madrid (from the States) and then taking a train that morning to Zaragoza where I'll spend the night. The next morning I'll take a train to Jaca and bus to Somport from there. I'll either spend the night in Somport or start walking that day to Confrac Pueblo. Next day walk to Jaca.
From Jaca, I'd like to go to the Monastery but the bus isn't running from Jaca until May (true?), so that means I have to take a taxi. I could take a taxi from Jaca to the monastery and then walk to Santa Cilia OR walk to Santa Cilia from Jaca and take a taxi to monastery from there. Then walk back to Santa Cilia or all the way to Arres. OR I guess I could walk to Santa Cilia from Jaca and spend the night. Then walk to the monastery and back the next day.
What is the walk from the monastery to Santa Cilia like? Or the walk from Jaca to Santa Cilia?
The rest of the route is straight forward. I will continue on a bit on the Frances, but don't have time to go all the way to Santiago this time. (I've walked into Santigo quite a few times, lost count how many. I've done all the most popular routes, so I have experience.)
To complicate things a tiny bit more, I could start a few stages farther into France, but that would mean more time on buses or trains before I start, yes? I have three weeks from landing in Spain until I leave again from Madrid.
Thoughts?
Cat
I love it when someone totally agrees with me!!!! (Never happens at home). Thanks!I totally agree with Andycohn's French sentiments. We started in Pau last October and found walking in France totally charming. And of course, felt almost at home after Somport. Bon Chemin
Sounds like a great plan! The only minor glitch is that the albergue at Somport pass is likely to be closed. Last year it didn't open until May 18th. But you can email them to find out when they open. The address is in Gronze. If it's closed, you'll have to continue down to Canfranc. If you're wiped out by the climb, you can take a bus down, or there's a guy who canGreat advice from everyone. Thanks so much!
Here's the newest plan:
Take the afternoon (3:49) train/bus from Zaragoza to Canfranc (looks like the train still doesn't go all the way), then the 8:01pm bus to OSM (Oloron-Sainte-Maria for newbies like me), which gets me into OSM at 9:17pm. That's late but it gives me time in Zaragoza to sleep in, relax, and/or take in the sights. Also, the earlier buses from Canfranc Station don't go all the way to OSM. (I called the gite in OSM and they very kindly said they would meet me at the station at 9:15! How sweet!)
Then Day1, I start walking from OSM to Sarriance, then day 2 walk to Accous and catch the bus to Urdos (because of the landslide). Day 3, up to Somport, Day 4 back down the other side to Canfranc Pueblo. Day 5 to Jaca. Day 6 to St. Cilia. (Gronze says don't walk the path from Jaca to the monastery alone, so maybe I'll take their advice.)
From St. Cilia the next morning, I can take a taxi up to the monastery (this is possible, yes?) and maybe walk back down the road to Santa Cruz and then catch the path the rest of the way back to St. Cilia, or all the way to Arres. OR get a taxi back down.
Then all the rest.
I am excited about being in France, even for a short time, so thanks for the encouragement. I've been hesitant to walk the French caminos alone since I have absolutely no French. But I do have google translate!
I understand that I should let them know I'm coming, at the gites in France, true?
Looks like the albergue in Sanguesa is closed, unfortunately. Too bad. I was hoping to stay there.
Thanks again for all the advice!
Hugs, Cat
Check before you arrive in Sanguesa. Last year they were open later in the summer. @Vacajoe had reported some difficulties with some albergues and staffing last year early on. There's also an albergue in Yesa if you take the detour through Javier. Last summer they took reservations and also the Leyre Monastery is up the hill from Yesa. Some people used to take the northern route around the Yesa Reservoir, but there's really no infrastructure on that variant until you get to Yesa.Great advice from everyone. Thanks so much!
Here's the newest plan:
Take the afternoon (3:49) train/bus from Zaragoza to Canfranc (looks like the train still doesn't go all the way), then the 8:01pm bus to OSM (Oloron-Sainte-Maria for newbies like me), which gets me into OSM at 9:17pm. That's late but it gives me time in Zaragoza to sleep in, relax, and/or take in the sights. Also, the earlier buses from Canfranc Station don't go all the way to OSM. (I called the gite in OSM and they very kindly said they would meet me at the station at 9:15! How sweet!)
Then Day1, I start walking from OSM to Sarriance, then day 2 walk to Accous and catch the bus to Urdos (because of the landslide). Day 3, up to Somport, Day 4 back down the other side to Canfranc Pueblo. Day 5 to Jaca. Day 6 to St. Cilia. (Gronze says don't walk the path from Jaca to the monastery alone, so maybe I'll take their advice.)
From St. Cilia the next morning, I can take a taxi up to the monastery (this is possible, yes?) and maybe walk back down the road to Santa Cruz and then catch the path the rest of the way back to St. Cilia, or all the way to Arres. OR get a taxi back down.
Then all the rest.
I am excited about being in France, even for a short time, so thanks for the encouragement. I've been hesitant to walk the French caminos alone since I have absolutely no French. But I do have google translate!
I understand that I should let them know I'm coming, at the gites in France, true?
Looks like the albergue in Sanguesa is closed, unfortunately. Too bad. I was hoping to stay there.
Thanks again for all the advice!
Hugs, Cat
Good catch. This is why I love this forum. I checked their website and it said closed in April except weekends. Sent a message to see if Sunday counts as a weekend night. We shall see.Sounds like a great plan! The only minor glitch is that the albergue at Somport pass is likely to be closed. Last year it didn't open until May 18th. But you can email them to find out when they open. The address is in Gronze. If it's closed, you'll have to continue down to Canfranc. If you're wiped out by the climb, you can take a bus down, or there's a guy who can
come pick you up in a taxi. He's got a sign with his phone number right at the pass.
No, but you can take the bus to Bedous, then a train to O-S-M.Also, the earlier buses from Canfranc Station don't go all the way to OSM.
Here you go, I was sent just now from local resident:
There are actually four daily buses in that direction, the first three terminate at Bedous, but from there there is a connecting train.
View attachment 163472
And the train schedule:
The 11:24 bus will leave you tight for time, but if you take the one at 14:36, you'll have plenty of time and make it to Oloron for 16:20.
When you arrive, the air is often heavy with the smell of chocolate, especially when it's a damp day.. consider it a bonus!
View attachment 163473
This detour through Javier is between Ruesta and Sanguesa, yes? Gronze doesn't explain this. What guide do you use for this route?Check before you arrive in Sanguesa. Last year they were open later in the summer. @Vacajoe had reported some difficulties with some albergues and staffing last year early on. There's also an albergue in Yesa if you take the detour through Javier. Last summer they took reservations and also the Leyre Monastery is up the hill from Yesa. Some people used to take the northern route around the Yesa Reservoir, but there's really no infrastructure on that variant until you get to Yesa.
I see, yes, I looked back at the previous posts. Thanks!No, but you can take the bus to Bedous, then a train to O-S-M.
Here are a couple of posts with the bus and train schedules:
My husband had been to Javier a few years before for a hospitalero gathering so we knew it was in this area. From Undues de Lerda, you can follow the CV-684 or use Google Maps with some walking paths. It is about 9 km. If you want to go on to Yesa from Javier, it is about 5.5 km north. To Sanquesa from Javier it is about 8 km.This detour through Javier is between Ruesta and Sanguesa, yes? Gronze doesn't explain this. What guide do you use for this route?
I'm wondering, if the albergue at Somport pass is closed, what about the next town, Candanchu? It looks like there are several places to stay. Does anyone know anything about the lodging there?Sounds like a great plan! The only minor glitch is that the albergue at Somport pass is likely to be closed. Last year it didn't open until May 18th. But you can email them to find out when they open. The address is in Gronze. If it's closed, you'll have to continue down to Canfranc. If you're wiped out by the climb, you can take a bus down, or there's a guy who can
come pick you up in a taxi. He's got a sign with his phone number right at the pass.
Even if JerryStroebele hadn't agreed with everything I said about walking in France, I would have agreed with him about everything he says here about Candanchu and the albergue at Canfranc Pueblo.I'm wondering, if the albergue at Somport pass is closed, what about the next town, Candanchu? It looks like there are several places to stay. Does anyone know anything about the lodging there?
I stayed at the Hotel Candanchú at the end of August last year. A wonderful place - breakfast was included. The next morning I was offered a ride up to Somport, got a stamp for my credential at the Aysa Hostal and started walking from there.I'm wondering, if the albergue at Somport pass is closed, what about the next town, Candanchu? It looks like there are several places to stay. Does anyone know anything about the lodging there?
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