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I am starting my Camino on October 3rd from SJPP. I feel that the Route Napoleon would be too difficult for me and I am wondering if any forum members have followed the Valcarlos Route to Roncesvalles. I am planning to spend a night in Valcarlos and continue on to Roncesvalles the next day. Thank You.
Paul
I too walked this route in April 2012 on advice from the Pilgrim Office as the Napoleon was deemed to dangerous at the time. After Valcarlos, like tyrrek, I left the road where marked, this cuts out long sweeping bends in the main road but it also plunges down to the bottom of beautiful ravines but what goes down must come back up and that was hard, also muddy and wet in places. If I was walking this route again I would stick to the road after Valcarlos, slightly longer but easier going.Hi! I walked this route in spring 2011 because I hadn't trained and wasn't confident about doing the Napoleon. Staying in Valcarlos breaks the stage nicely, but Day 2 is still a hard climb to Roncesvalles. I took the route that leaves the road a few kms after Valcarlos - I don't remember it being overgrown, just steep in places (I was stopping for breath every 10 metres!). The albergue in Valcarlos was nice and had cooking facilities. There's a shop, restaurant etc as well. Given my circumstances I think it was the best option for me, but I do want to do the Napoleon some time! Buen Camino!
Thanks for the heads up about the no services and water until Roncesvalles. Will stock up accordingly.Julie,
The Valcarlos route is not difficult to follow unless there is snow in winter. There are several accommodation options which are listed on this Gronze site. I always stay at the municipal albergue which is open all year and heated. You can reserve there also. Do be aware that after Valcarlos there are no services and no water until Roncesvalles monastery.
Happy planning and Buen camino!
MM
Thanks for the heads up about the no services and water until Roncesvalles. Will stock up accordingly.
I walked via Valcarlos this spring. The albergue is really nice! You can get the key code in the local bar or knock on the door for other pilgrims to let you in. The hospitalera came later to collect the money and stamp the passports. The next day to Roncesvalles, I tried to avoid the road, for me the path was absolutely okay and easy to walk. As long as there's not much snow I think it's the more beautiful option to walk through the forest. It is quite steep in some parts, though, and if you're an unexperienced walker, you'll be glad to have started in Valcarlos and not St. Jean! I know it gets called the "low" route through the valley, but it is still a difference about 700 meters in altitude from Valcarlos to the highest point on the way to Roncesvalles!
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