Suggestions for 2 day walk on Arles route to join Aragones r

[sfoley]

Hi,
After walking from St Jean Pied-de-Port to Santiago last year i am planning a shorter walk to Obanos this time. I am planning a 2 day walk in France on the Arles route to cross the Pyrenees and overnight at Somport and then continue on the Aragones route to Obanos.
Would anyone have a suggestion for the stages i should take for the 2 days to get to Somport. I have seen stages other people have done from Oloron Sainte Marie to Bedous(30km) and Bedous to Somport(30km) but this seems a bit long on mountainous terrain when i am just starting off. I would prefer to start on shorter stages and then build up to longer ones as my ankle isnt the best. Also recommendations for refuges or Gites would be appreciated.

All the best,
Seamus

 

[Deleted member 3000]

There are buses from Oloron-Ste. Marie to Somport, so you could take a bus to Sarrance, then walk to Borce the first day, and Somport the second day.

 

[sillydoll]

Seamus, may I suggest that you walk to Eunate instead of Obanos. Jean is a wonderful hospitalero and staying over at the Eunate albergue was one of the highlights of my Aragones walk. It is an easy walk to Pamplona from there - over the Alto del Perdon, against the flow of pilgrims!
If you walk from Sarrance you can book a bed at the monastery. There are two places to stay in Borce - a small St Jacques auberg and a bigger community Gite.
Good luck - it is a beautiful walk.

 

[sfoley]

Hi,
Thanks for both your replies. I think i will do a 3 day walk to Somport, Oloron Ste Marie-Sarrance-Borce-Somport and cut out a days sight seeing later on as i prefer walking to looking around a city. The suggestion for the albergue in Eunate sounds good as ive already been to Obanos and it will shorten my days walk from Monreal and the next days walk to Pamplona to finish isnt too far.
regards,
Seamus