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From SJPP to Orisson/Hunto, there is nothing. No bars, no fountains. Perhaps the vending truck will be around but I doubt it as he would be making very little as people will have had breakfast in SJPP and it's only 2-3 hours to Orisson.
From Orisson to Roncesvalles there is a water fountain as you cross into Navarra. So fill up in Orisson. The vending truck may be somewhere between Orisson and near the border, where the paved road stops.
But don't count on the truck being there or fountain working, bring enough for the stretch from Orisson to Roncesvalles: 3 liters of water, some chocolate, nuts, a bocadillo bought at the local bakery, what have you.
Oh yes! 3 litters plus another three at the fountain and more in Orisson. I drink a lot of water, at home and when walking. As for asking if the fountain is running ... that thing can break down 5 minutes before you come to it: nor Orisson nor the PO would know if it is working or not. Don't count on it.3 LITERS???? kowabunga, that's a lot of water.
I carry an 8 ounce bottle and an orange and that gets me there if the fountain is working.
You can ask at the Pilgrim Office if the fountain is running. Orisson also will probably know.
Only a small % of people can stay at Orisson or the flow over. The vast majority walk the full day. And there really is no reason to sleep on their porch, the whole day is 27km, not 47km. And that is not what the OP was asking about but food and drinks.Contrary to the advice of others, though it is best to reserve a spot in Vaalcarlos ot Orisson, I personally discovered that they do not wish for you to sleep on the road in front of the Albergue. I had no reservation but they took me in. It was busy and some had to walk 1 km back down the mountain to an overflow building but everyoone who made it that far got a bed, supper and breakfast.
Reservations must be made by email. They do not have a reservation form online.
1.When you arrive late I would make a reservation.I have similar questions re SJPdP to either Orrisson or Roncessvailes.
1. I want to stay one night in SJPdP after picking up my Camino pass port,for the stamps, do I need to make reservations or can I find a place that day in SJPdP? Planning on starting late August.
2. How far in advance do you need to make the reservation for Orrisson or Roncessvailes?
3. What if you reserve for Orrisson yet weather ( or whatever reason would force you to take the other path ) and you don't have a place to stay! I definitely plan on making the first day and overnight before heading into Roncessvailes.
So many questions on getting started!
That sounds good to me... if I want a easier route short-term and have no reservation for Orisson.Don't worry @Karen Urquhart - I can't imagine the albergue at Valcarlos being full. When I was there in May last year (the busiest month of the year) there were only two of us. ...
There is not a hospitalero in Valcarlos; just a lady that comes to collect the tariff at nightfall. I wonder if someone actually check up the mail (although theoretically, reservation is possible).I'm a bit worried about not getting a bed at valcarlos. We leave in about 2 weeks time and I've emailed the albergue 3 times without receiving a reply or confirmation. I assumed that they work on a first come first serve basis and don't accept advanced bookings. I was hoping that the office at Sjpdp would help us out there.
I'm a bit worried about not getting a bed at valcarlos. We leave in about 2 weeks time and I've emailed the albergue 3 times without receiving a reply or confirmation. I assumed that they work on a first come first serve basis and don't accept advanced bookings. I was hoping that the office at Sjpdp would help us out there.
Hello members,
Could I ask what facilities are available on the first stage? Are there any restaurants/cafes/shops? Is it necessary to bring lunch/snacks/drinks or is it possible to get food/ drinks along the way?
Regards,
G.
Only a small % of people can stay at Orisson or the flow over. The vast majority walk the full day. And there really is no reason to sleep on their porch, the whole day is 27km, not 47km. And that is not what the OP was asking about but food and drinks.
Hi Mack,I am 77 and had no problem at all.
Now I am thinking of SJPP to Sarria, in April next year.
I'm a bit concerned about the first day, SJPP to Roncesvalles by the Napoleon route. I plan to do it in one day ... wondering just how difficult it will be. Is there likely to be other pilgrims at that time of the year? I am a bit shy about approaching people along the way. How hard is it to find the allocated accommodation in the towns like Pamplona, Burgos etc.?
.
Unguided tours organise your etapas, book your bed (pensiones/hotels/the odd private albergue if there are no other options) and arrange for mochila transport and can also arrangw for some evening meals. They give you a printout of your route.I'm not sure how an unguided tour works. You walk and your things are transported to a certain place to stay each night? Are the places you stay hotels, or dorm type of rooms?
If you are going to walk and have to walk a predetermined distance each day, what happens if you are unable for some reason to walk that far?
Sorry for my confusion.
Hi Mack,
I will try to answer some of your questions, and tell you what I would keep in mind. But first I have to say I think it is fantastic that you are so active at 77 and bold enough to consider the Napoleon route.
It is quite steep, especially the first third or so. Bring water, snacks, and do not even try to venture up there if the weather is iffy. Stop by the Pilgrim Office and ask about the weather report.
You will see others on the trail, and my guess is that they will be the ones stopping to say hi, ask how you are doing and encourage you. Take full advantage of that company: it is motivating, makes the hike feel shorter, and in April, safer or what will most likely be a quite muddy path.
In April you really should have no difficulty at all with accomdoations, I would not worry about it. But .... if you are using a travel agency, this really should not be a concern. May I ask why you ask about this?
If as you get closer to your departure date, and can work this out with the agency you will be working with, and feel unsure, please do consider the Valcarlos route, which will remain open even if the Napoleon route gets closed due to weather, and is a kinder first day. Also, if you carry a phone, you can always call a taxi on that route should ypu meed one. Orisson will not give you that flexibility if the Napoleon route gets closed as it will also be unaccessible.
Best of luck.
I'm not sure how an unguided tour works. You walk and your things are transported to a certain place to stay each night? Are the places you stay hotels, or dorm type of rooms?
If you are going to walk and have to walk a predetermined distance each day, what happens if you are unable for some reason to walk that far?
Sorry for my confusion.
In most towns the arrows take you to the albergue, at least to the main or the municipal one. Private ones is a different thing.The accommodation question was about how to find the designated place upon arrival in town. My sense of direction is not the best and I'm used to road signs here in Australia but I don't think I saw many in Spain last time. I'm hoping google maps might help on my iPhone!.
The 35€ includes your demi-pension.The beds are 35 Euro each which is quite expensive for the El Camino. The reason we are considering staying at Orisson is not that we can't make it over the Pyrenees in one day, but that it will put us out of sync with the majority of Pilgrims that follow the Brierly guide.
It will put you out of sync only if you then walk on beyond Roncesvalles the next day, which you may not feel like doing. Besides, there's a lot of fun in meeting other pilgrims repeatedly during the first couple of days. Just avoid starting from SJPP or from Roncesvalles on a Friday or Saturday.The reason we are considering staying at Orisson is not that we can't make it over the Pyrenees in one day, but that it will put us out of sync with the majority of Pilgrims that follow the Brierly guide.
In reference to making reservations for Refuge Orisson. I made a reservation [for me and my wife] for the last week of September 2017 and it did not take several weeks to receive a reply. I received an email from the refuge in less than 48 hours, at the same time received the "facture" via a separate email which was sent using email address SARL APATHIA [be on the lookout for this email, check your spam folder, this email have the link to make your initial payment via pay pal, and no, you don't need a pay pal account to make this payment]. Note, the installment is not refundable and you pay the balance at the refuge. Buena suerte y que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.
Good news! Team Sailor will be three days behind your team. Buena suerte y que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.Thank you Sailor, my friend is making the reservations for Refuge
Hi Sailor,
You are right, Orisson has already gotten back to us with reservations for Sept 24. It only took a couple of days
It will put you out of sync only if you then walk on beyond Roncesvalles the next day, which you may not feel like doing. Besides, there's a lot of fun in meeting other pilgrims repeatedly during the first couple of days. Just avoid starting from SJPP or from Roncesvalles on a Friday or Saturday.
I suggest that you not over-plan your out-of-sync plans! It is simply a strategy to be aware of, for use if and when you need it.
The Brierley guide is probably the most popular guide among English-speaking pilgrims, but they do not form the majority of pilgrims on the camino!
All rightGood news! Team Sailor will be three days behind your team. Buena suerte y que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.
All right team Sailor! Look for two 50/60 ish guys, one speaks fluent Spanish (he grew up in Madrid Spain) and has a black Osprey pack, the other guy is a skinny Irish/American dude with a red REI pack, he doesn't speak Spanish but took French in high school and forgot most of it due to lack of use.Good news! Team Sailor will be three days behind your team. Buena suerte y que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.
I will look for you Team Sailor. I am over 60 also, my friend is late 50's, both guys, he is married am I am not. We already got our roundtrip airline tickets, but we planned for lots of time to see the sights and visit my friend's relatives in Spain, so we are in no hurry. I call him Hombre and he calls me Senior Cejas because he thinks I have big eyebrows, but they're just normal for people of Irish heritage. I do need a weed wacker to trim them though. FYI I was a Radarman on the USS Galveston CLG3 many years ago.Good deal, here is the info on Team Sailor.
-- Both: Over 60.
-- Both: Speak fluent Spanish.
-- Both: Plan to start slow, then ease off, look for us sitting under big trees.
-- Her: Has a green Osprey pack.
-- Him: Has a black Osprey pack with forum patch, military style hat, stars and stripes bandana.
Already then, to all caminantes, buena suerte y que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.
Wow, another US Navy Sailor! We were Sailors once . . . and young. Buena suerte y que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.. . . FYI I was a Radarman on the USS Galveston CLG3 many years ago . . .
In reference to making reservations for Refuge Orisson. I made a reservation [for me and my wife] for the last week of September 2017 and it did not take several weeks to receive a reply. I received an email from the refuge in less than 48 hours, at the same time received the "facture" via a separate email which was sent using email address SARL APATHIA [be on the lookout for this email, check your spam folder, this email have the link to make your initial payment via pay pal, and no, you don't need a pay pal account to make this payment]. Note, the installment is not refundable and you pay the balance at the refuge. Buena suerte y que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.
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