Eve Alexandra
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2017 Astorga-SDC, April 2022 SJPP-Muxia
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I've heard the weather up there can go either way during seasonal changes (winter giving away to early spring). I'd say plan for Valcarlos, and be pleasantly surprised if the weather allows for the Napoleon route. I've done both and really loved Valcarlos...quiet, peaceful and less traversed.
Perhaps just to cover your bases? That's a call you'll have to make. I'm sure if the N. route closes you'll know ahead of time (so would Orrison).So would you book Orisson just in case?
Why not? It's not terribly expensive. At the end of the year would you even notice the monetary loss if you couldn't get there?So would you book Orisson just in case?
Hola, the weather on the Napoleon can be questionable at any time of the year. In May 2017 I planned to walk the napoleon with an overnight stay at Orisson. But the weather turned nasty so I took the Valcarlos route. Buen CaminoI booked my flight. I can start either March 31 or April 1. Those of you who have done this route many times...do you think its worth the gamble to start on April 1, in hopes that the Napoleon route might be open? Or would you just plan on Valcarlos?
Yes, although a friend who walked in early April said that Orisson wasn't taking reservations at the beginning of April. They wanted people to call a day or two ahead to see if they would be open.So would you book Orisson just in case?
I am a lover of the Valcarlos route as there is a village or two to see along the way, food options, and more variety of terrain. I love breaking up the first day by staying overnight in Valcarlos, and the shorter second day assures I've arrived in Roncesvalles ahead of the others...oh, and I will mention it provides a more peaceful, quiet and contemplative walk if that is your cup of tea.Okay. Thank you. I’ll get my train/bus situation figured out, see what time/day I will arrive in SJPP and then make a judgment call. I’m sure both routes are stunning. I won’t be bummed if I take the Valcarlos route.
I am a lover of the Valcarlos route as there is a village or two to see along the way, food options, and more variety of terrain.
OTOH, I would not discourage anyone from taking ithe Napoleon if they are looking forward to the experience. The Pilgrim's Office in SJPdP has the most up to date weather reports and expertise in recommending if, or if not, one should take the Napoleon route or opt for the Valcarlos.
See this very recent thread then.I also kind of like the idea of seeing a little bit of French villages beyond SJPP
Please, don't take my word for it. Please contact Orisson directly.Maybe, given this and @trecile ’s comment that they don’t like to take reservations early, I’ll just wait a bit.
Exactly. I stayed at Corazon Puro, east of Pamplona, before my first Camino Frances started in mid-April 2015. At the communal dinner that night, a married couple mentioned they had to stay overnight at a stone hut the night before, being caught out in snow, and another man from England had been slipping on icy snow going up and over the Napoleon that same day. I then made my decision the next morning when Istvan drove us to SJPdP, that the Valcarlos route was the safer option. I wasn't walking the Camino to prove anything to myself, nor potentially taking any unneeded risk to possibly hurt myself.There may be still too much snow. This is what the pilgrims office can tell you.
See this very recent thread then.
I've had it go both ways. I booked Orisson in 2016, and the mountain was clear enough to walk the Napolean, so we did. Two years later, we pulled into Orisson in foul weather. The next morning, we were told that the pass was not safe, and they bussed us (no charge) over to Valcarlos to make the crossing to Roncesvalles. You gamble nothing by booking Orisson, but you won't know until the morning what conditions are. You don't need to know in advance, go with the flow.Okay. Thank you. I’ll get my train/bus situation figured out, see what time/day I will arrive in SJPP and then make a judgment call. I’m sure both routes are stunning. I won’t be bummed if I take the Valcarlos route.
With the weather one never knows. I planned my travel on April 13, 2018 and the Napoleon route was closed so I went via Valcarlos. I heard it opened up again a few days later. I think April 1 is pushing it for Napoleon route but if mother nature cooperates you should be fine. FYI I found the Valcarlos route to be extremely challenging, it was raining so very slippery and muddy as you climb through the forest and the steepest part is the second half to Roncesvalles. Whereas I believe the Napoleon route is steeper at the beginning which probably would have been better for me at least. I did do it all in one day and it almost got the better of me.I booked my flight. I can start either March 31 or April 1. Those of you who have done this route many times...do you think its worth the gamble to start on April 1, in hopes that the Napoleon route might be open? Or would you just plan on Valcarlos?
I would heartily recommend Le Puy to SJPdP, especially if, as you mentioned earlier, you'd like a taste of French village life. And by "taste" I mean the best food I have eaten on any walking or cycling adventure, anywhere, ever!I was reading that earlier today. I mentioned in another discussion here today that my relationship with Catholicism is complicated. Lourdes is not for me.Maybe Le Puy someday, though.
I believe that April 1 is the opening date for the Napoleon route. I would check with the Pilgrim office either the night before or when they open in the morning if you have any doubt about the weather.Maybe, given this and @trecile ’s comment that they don’t like to take reservations early, I’ll just wait a bit.
I also kind of like the idea of seeing a little bit of French villages beyond SJPP.
I’ve never been to France before. Whatever happens, this is a reboot of my last minute canceled 2020 Camino and I’m just so grateful to be going. Extremely nervous, and nowhere near as prepared mentally or physically as I was in 2020. C’est la vie.
I’ll likely be on the treadmill more often than not for the next several weeks.
Really good point. I’ve got the time to avoid a terrible weather day, if necessary. Thank you.I believe that April 1 is the opening date for the Napoleon route. I would check with the Pilgrim office either the night before or when they open in the morning if you have any doubt about the weather.
In 2015 I walked from Le Puy. I got to St. Jean in early October. My friend and I planned on spending just the night and leaving the next morning. The next day it wasn't that cold but there were strong winds and pouring rain. As we looked out the door of the room we were staying in (it was on the street that the Pilgrim office is on) there were lots of pilgrims slogging through. We say a pilgrim from the restaurant we had dinner the night before. He looked at us with very puzzled. Why aren't you guys getting ready to walk, its a long day. I said to him, we have both walked before. It is an absolute s*%t show here. It is going to rain like this all day. If it is bad here we can't imagine what a mess it will be up in the mountains. We are going back to bed.
We stayed one more night and discovered the Beilari Albergue a few doors down. Had a great time there. Love that albergue. Fantastic communal dinner and spirit. Met someone I am still friends with all these years later. The next morning we left with our big bag of amazing French pastries and headed up under sunny skies. After walking from Le Puy the hill up to Orisson was (excuse my French) a piece of cake.
We met a few pilgrims later on who walked that rainy morning and they said it was absolute hell all day.
To make a really long story really short. Check the weather before you go.
I booked my flight. I can start either March 31 or April 1. Those of you who have done this route many times...do you think its worth the gamble to start on April 1, in hopes that the Napoleon route might be open? Or would you just plan on Valcarlos?
I’m on theAlmost everyone walks to Roncesvalles the first day. More than 90%.
Also, the Pyrenees area is beautiful - no reason to rush through it!I’m on theplan. I’m determined to do that “start like an old woman and finish like a younger one” thing. I’m okay with not sticking with the same ppl all the way. Super introverted. I’ll either stop in Orisson or Valcarlos.
I am so excited! I’ve always wanted to see it.Also, the Pyrenees area is beautiful - no reason to rush through it!
That's a decision is best made that day.I booked my flight. I can start either March 31 or April 1. Those of you who have done this route many times...do you think its worth the gamble to start on April 1, in hopes that the Napoleon route might be open? Or would you just plan on Valcarlos?
Hi, according to their website it’s not possible to book Orisson before Tuesday 12 April 2022, so you will have to walk from St Jean to Roncesvalles in one day, OR walk via Valcarlos and overnight there, OR you can book Auberge Borda (1km after Orisson) on booking.com from Sunday 3 April.I booked my flight. I can start either March 31 or April 1. Those of you who have done this route many times...do you think its worth the gamble to start on April 1, in hopes that the Napoleon route might be open? Or would you just plan on Valcarlos?
I’ve never suffered from the urge to hike the Route Napoleon. My Grandfather’s opinion was that hills were nice to look at but should only be undertaken out of necessity. As he taught me which fungi to harvest, how to cache a rabbit and the value of a friend in any town I’ve always gone along with Grandad.
I like Valcarlos. It sits there, content, pilgrims are of passing interest but not it’s be and end all. The afternoon train from Bayonne gets you into StJ in plenty of time to collect a stamp from the Bureau Pelerin and stroll to Valcarlos. The opportunity remains for a quiet evening, a decent meal before “The Camino” begins
I’m on theplan. I’m determined to do that “start like an old woman and finish like a younger one” thing. I’m okay with not sticking with the same ppl all the way. Super introverted. I’ll either stop in Orisson or Valcarlos.
I am starting on April 3 and have booked in Borda and Valcarlos. Plan is to cancel whichever is not needed.I am so excited! I’ve always wanted to see it.
quieter route
I'm starting a few days after you (April 6th), and I'm working on the assumption that I'll be going via Valcarlos through to Roncesvalles on that first day, but plans might change when I'm standing at the junction in SDPP having to decide! I like the idea of starting off on the quieter route people have talked about here.
I'm really looking forward to the variety that you mention. I'm stopping the first day at Valcarlos and walking into Roncesvalles the next day - I really don't want to end my day with that uphill section!In four caminos, not once has my wife p'eed or pooped alongside the trail - no matter what. She prefers the Valcarlos route over Napoleon since there are several places to stop along the way, including a gas station, shops, restaurants. This compares to the Napoleon route where there is only Orisson. Plus the topography is much more varied on the Valcarlos route - hiking along streams, through the forests, and up and down hills as well. Bob
hi there,will be in St Jean P.D.P. end of february to finish my pilgrimage from Narbonne to Compostelle.wild camping all the way!!! plan the Valcarlos route it is safer at this time of the year,even end of March.mountain weather is capricious.bom camino!!!I booked my flight. I can start either March 31 or April 1. Those of you who have done this route many times...do you think its worth the gamble to start on April 1, in hopes that the Napoleon route might be open? Or would you just plan on Valcarlos?
@Eve Alexandra already walked this past year.hi there,will be in St Jean P.D.P. end of february to finish my pilgrimage from Narbonne to Compostelle.wild camping all the way!!! plan the Valcarlos route it is safer at this time of the year,even end of March.mountain weather is capricious.bom camino!!!
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