The route from SJPP when it's wet

[Firemangary]

My wife and I are walking the Way beginning June 26 from SJPP and it looks like it might be wet. From those with experience in these conditions, is the trail hazardous and slippery? Or am I just over thinking this? Any advice is welcomed.

 

[chinacat]

My wife and I are walking the Way beginning June 26 from SJPP and it looks like it might be wet. From those with experience in these conditions, is the trail hazardous and slippery? Or am I just over thinking this? Any advice is welcomed.

We walked the Route Napoleon in constant rain, mist and wind (I had a 102º fever) and didn’t have any trouble underfoot. When you’re on the way down, take the road (to the right) in preference to slip-sliding down through the trees. It takes a bit longer but it’s gentler and, for us, the mist lifted and we walked in the sun ... at last

 

[Firemangary]

We walked the Route Napoleon in constant rain, mist and wind (I had a 102º fever) and didn’t have any trouble underfoot. When you’re on the way down, take the road (to the right) in preference to slip-sliding down through the trees. It takes a bit longer but it’s gentler and, for us, the mist lifted and we walked in the sun ... at last

Thank you - I feel a little bit better...

 

[chinacat]

Thank you - I feel a little bit better...

There are a few other places, further along the CF, that can be hazardous in the wet. The grip afforded you by your footwear will be important and poles (with rubber tips for roadwalking ) will be very, very helpful.

You could also try searching (top right of the page) for key words, such as mud, slippery underfoot etc. There are many, many posts here to help you .... and many, many experienced fellow pilgrims who can offer you advice.

Buen Camino

 

[RJM]

I am assuming you are walking the Napoleon route from Saint Jean to Roncesvalles, or is your question concerning the entire Frances route?
If your question is in regards to the Napoleon route from Saint Jean to Roncesvalles, a great deal of that route is on surfaces like blacktop or concrete roads and even semi-improved sections of stones and gravel I believe. Anyway, do not take my word for it, there is a good video on this forum somewhere of the walk from Saint Jean to Roncesvalles. It is a short video as it is time lapse. Watch it and you will see that there is not much slipperiness on the Napoleon. The only section that can be muddy after rains is a wooded section just before you reach Roncesvalles. The bloody bicycle pilgrims have rutted it up so bad, and keep making the muddy section larger by going around the mucked up areas even more. I found that to be the only nasty section, and only when it has been raining, or rained recently. Nonetheless it is a short piece of the whole.
If your question is in regards to the entire Frances route, it is impossible to answer due to so many variables that are not predictable.

 

[Firemangary]

There are a few other places, further along the CF, that can be hazardous in the wet. The grip afforded you by your footwear will be important and poles (with rubber tips for roadwalking ) will be very, very helpful.

You could also try searching (top right of the page) for key words, such as mud, slippery underfoot etc. There are many, many posts here to help you .... and many, many experienced fellow pilgrims who can offer you advice.

Buen Camino

Thank you

 

[chinacat]

Thank you

Buen Camino!
Enjoy it

 

[Deleted member 67185]

All of the above advice is going to be of great help. I would also add that the Pilgrim Office in SJPdP will give you the latest information as to route hazards and recommendations. Their advice is follow-worthy

 

[lt56ny]

Don’t worry just walk. Thinking never gets you anywhere.

 

[Walking Lover]

My wife and I are walking the Way beginning June 26 from SJPP and it looks like it might be wet. From those with experience in these conditions, is the trail hazardous and slippery? Or am I just over thinking this? Any advice is welcomed.

Did it last week in the rain; ok going up but bad going down; lots of deep mud; take the option to go down to R. We missed it. It took us 10.5 hrs total and we are in excellent health and shape.

 

[Dancing Rain]

If taking the alternative route down study the photo carefully on the instructions that the pilgrim’s office in SJPP hand out. Following the arrows takes you the steep and slippery way

 

[Monasp]

My wife and I are walking the Way beginning June 26 from SJPP and it looks like it might be wet. From those with experience in these conditions, is the trail hazardous and slippery? Or am I just over thinking this? Any advice is welcomed.

When you arrive to SJPP you have to go To the pilgrims office 39 rue de la Citadelle for the last advices

 

[kdespot]

As everyone says, the vast majority of the day is uphill on easy paved roads, and a bit of offroad but very manageable paths. It's the downhill that will really challenge you. It comes after a long day, your first day, and it's pretty steep. The hardest part is that you are so tired and SO ready to be in Roncesvalles. If those stones through the forest are wet, they're extra slippery and frustrating. Go the other route, whatever it may be (we didn't). Still, Day #1 is magical... it was my favorite day.

 

[Ianinam]

I am a hospitalero in Roncesvalles right now. It has been raining for weeks and weeks. Listen to the advice of the pilgrims office in Saint Jean Pied de Port and when you have the choice between the 4 hour descent and the 1 hour descent, do take the 4 hour descent! The other one is very steep an muddy, last week a lady was rescued who had been laying there for hours with a broken leg in the pouring rain.