Water in the Pyrenees?

[Jerome74]

I'm just wondering: Is it possible to fill up your water during the crossing of the Pyrenees or do you have to take as much water as you probably will need (and can carry!) from the start?

Thanks everyone and sorry for the maybe silly questions

Jerome

 

[Anonymous]

Take as much water as you probably will need (and can carry!) from the start. Best, xm 8)

 

[Jerome74]

So you can't fill it up on the way?

 

[Anonymous]

U can buy plastic water bottles at Orisson, they charge u a mint. There's a fountain at the Collado de Bentartea, almost towards the end of this walk. Best, xm 8)

 

[Jerome74]

Thanks again, xm

U can buy plastic water bottles at Orisson, they charge u a mint.

Ok. That's cool.

Because it's quite a difference to carry one or two liters from the start, especially in the mountains

 

[Anonymous]

Hmm...got a point there. But what happens if for some reason, Orisson is closed? best, xm 8)

 

[Jerome74]

Hmm...got a point there. But what happens if for some reason, Orisson is closed? best, xm 8)

True. But I guess that would be known before ... and I think it's quite improbable that they'll be closed. So many people have reservations with them. They have to be open no matter what I guess ...

I think I'll risk it with 1 liter. Unless I hear other reports.

 

[Anonymous]

Not necessarily. They may have an emergency, say, five minutes before u get there, have to close, pilgrims are gone, nobody left, and then u'd be stuck. Unfortunately u have to think seriously of worst case scenarios in potentially dangerous crossings such as this one. Don't assume that all businesses on the Caminos are up and running all the time. Whatever u choose to do, take water with u. I had a rough time because I ran out of water twice on the SJPDP-Roncesvalles road, would not want that to happen to u, Jerome, or anyone else. Buen Camino, peregrino. xm 8)

 

[Jerome74]

Ok, xm. I'll heed your advice!

 

[Anonymous]

Jerome, for ur sake, I hope so. Think about what ur H20 drinking need may be. If u think 1L will be enough, go with it. For me, two, 1L bottles, did the trick, the next time around. Heavy? Yes, no matter, I drank them all, almost! Better to have some left than none. I don't know if u read an earlier post in which I shared that I ran out of water in this particular road, had to walk a distance to a farm to get some, got back on the road, ran out again, approached a couple of pilgrims that told me they didn't have enough water for me, and then, when I was (almost) fainting, two pilgrims (angels?) came to my rescue, shared their water, and gave me the moral support I badly needed then to walk with me all the way to Roncesvalles. Best, xm 8)

 

[Jerome74]

xm, yes I remember you telling this. And therefore I'll heed your advice.

But my original question was only about whether or not there were possibilities to fill up the water. Apparently there aren't (except for Orisson). So I will plan accordingly.

Thanks again.

 

[Anonymous]

k guy, remember, there's a fountain at the Collado de Bentartea, but that's almost towards the end of this walk. Best, xm 8)

 

[Ulysse]

You can fill up at the fountain on the France/Spain border.... but a lot of climbing has already been done. When I was there water was simply not running very fast.

You can also fill up at the place where there is a cement table to "read" the landscape (table d'orientation).

At the albergue at Orisson the owner and one person are NOT there full time. After the pilgrims have left, they clean up and tend to their affairs in their houses, nobody home.... They will return before lunch around 12. The owner will stay unless it is the vendanges (grapes harvest).

Best advice, carry as much as you can; this is true all along the camino.

 

[marktqm]

The first chance to fill up your water bottle is just right across the Table d' Orientation (Panorama), 8 km from SJPP and a couple of kilometers before the Refuge d'Orisson. The other is at the Fontaine de Bentarte, about 20 km into your walk.

Mark

 

[Anonymous]

Well, the times I've walked by Orisson, the restaurant was starting to open, it was towards mid-morn. I remember once getting some water and taking it outside to the tables. Nice, short, rest. Best, xm 8)

 

[Anonymous]

...fill up your water bottle...across the Table d' Orientation (Panorama quote]

Hmm...must be new since last summer, didn't notice it then. Best, xm 8)

 

[Anonymous]

...the Fontaine de Bentarte...

Are you refering to the fountain at the "Collado de Bentartea?" If u r, and according to my recollection, that's after the arduous part of this section. Best, xm 8)

 

[Minkey]

It is, but at least you can top up, you're a couple of hours from the end and anything will help.

I'd say take 1.5l and top up when you can.

 

[Anonymous]

... :lol: ... if u make it that far, I almost didn't Best, xm 8)

 

[Anonymous]

I remember the spring at the border. Lay there resting with a Finnish girl I met - saw my first Eagle really close - but, yes, a long way along indeed.
And don't forget that wind dehydrates.

Mind you, from what I've been hearing, at the moment you just tilt your head up and open your mouth!

 

[marktqm]

xm,

The table d'orientation has been there for years, a favorite stopping place for groups and those who need to catch their breath after the first assaults. The fountain is a few meters before that, to your right.

The fountain at Bentarte is the one right after the hard part, yes, somewhere at the border and I remember beech(?) trees already in this stretch. The fountain of Roland.

For photos check out http://www.santiago-compostela.net/cf01en.html

Mark

 

[Anonymous]

Hello Mark, thanks for ur mail/pic link. No doubt I believe u, it's just that my sense of recollection re: the fountain in question doesn't bring up anything. I clearly remember the table d'orientation, no prob there. I checked my notes, nothing. The"El Pais/Aguilar" guidebook I used, zero, and the pic in the link re: The "table d'orientation" telling you the names of everything you can see and showing the route of the original camino to the east , doesn't show the fountain. I'm interested in this, will keep on searching. Let me know if u find any other info. Best, xm 8)

 

[larryflo]

Nobody mentioned the water coming off the mountain on the way to Roncevalles. There were at least 5 fast running miniature waterfalls right by the road. They are real mountain water, and I cannot attest to their sterile nature. But, they sure tasted good, were very cold, and I didnt get sick.

Larry

 

[Anonymous]

Darn, more H20 I missed :lol: ! Will just have to do a (summertime) repeat on this road . Best, xm 8)

 

[jeff001]

Both the Raju and Brierley guides show a water fountain about midway between Huntto and Orisson.

 

[Anonymous]

Both the Raju and Brierley guides show a water fountain about midway between Huntto and Orisson.

Excellent documentation, Jeff, thanks. Can u write what they say in a post or is it on a map? Thanks, xm 8)

 

[jeff001]

xm:
Raju, page 46 "About 50 m after passing Honto the road veers R but the GR65 bears L up a grassy track, the old road, leaving the modern road for a while (to rejoin it later) making a short cut via the old, steep route that zigzags between the walls/banks at first and then on open ground . . . you can spot the place where you will meet the road again by a tap on the RH side of the road . . ."

Brierley, page 53, leaving Huntto "After 0.3km turn left onto grass track for 1.2 km before returning onto road (fountain on right and viewpoint on left.) Continue along alphalt road for 1.3 km to Auberge Orisson."

 

[Anonymous]

Rolands' fountain, sure (though nothing to do with Roland of course), after the pass through - and I remember the orientation table - but I don't remember seeing water there ... didn't stop long though.

 

[Minkey]

I don't remember anything apart from the mist and the fountain on the way up and over...

 

[Anonymous]

jeff001, thanks for the info, case seems to be closed! Best, xm 8)