Way finding Route Napolean from St Jean to Roncesvalles

[peakpair]

We will be walking this approximately September . since we live in Colorado and are accustomed to hiking at 10-12,000' feet, elevation and steepness will not be so much of an issue as the way finding. how difficult is the way finding?

thank you!

 

[KiwiNomad06]

If you call into the Pilgrim Office in SJPP one of the sheets they give you is a description/map of the Route Napoleon and of the lower route. The day I climbed the weather was perfect and all the direction signs were easy to see. But I have seen photos where people have walked in fog etc where you would need more caution.
Margaret

 

[peakpair]

thank you!

 

[FatmaG]

We did it with bad weather conditions (fog, rain, some snow left on the top) end of April.

If you strictly stay on the way, you should be fine!
Be just careful to signs - and if locals say "don't" don't!!!
Then it might be really dangerous.

Buen camino

Fatma

 

[KiwiNomad06]

peakpair...... here is blog post from Portia, who is currently walking- so we are talking the beginning of September- so even when it is almost still 'summer' the weather can make visibility bad at the top:

"Just a very short one today as my internet time is extremely limited. Today was a hard one. Finally crossed the Pyrenees today in rain and sleet into Spain. Then I made a wrong turn somewhere after the peak as I couldn´t see in the dense fog-which eventually led me down the mountain to a small town where I learned that I was in the wrong place. So back up the mountain in the blowing rain to the top. Three additional hours and probably 6 extra miles I did not need."

You can read her blog post at: http://itbeginswithonestepforward.blogspot.com/2009/09/arrived-in-roncesvalles.html
Margaret

 

[anniethenurse]

We will be walking this approximately September . since we live in Colorado and are accustomed to hiking at 10-12,000' feet, elevation and steepness will not be so much of an issue as the way finding. how difficult is the way finding?

thank you!

Peakpair!

Nice to hear that you decided to do to Camino Frances.
I crossed the Pyrenees in mid- May this year.The camino is easy to follow,it is well way-marked. But SUDDENLY when I was on the very top the highest point and started walking down THE FOG came from nowhere. There is two alternative ways down from the top to Roncesvalles 1) the shorter way but steeper and 2) the road walking but longer. Met some other pilgrims up on the top and we decided to take the road walking but longer way down because it was easier to follow in the fog. The sight was only a couple of meters. But down we came and what an experience!
Buen Camino
annie

 

[WolverineDG]

FYI, the pilgrim´s office tells you to take the route on the right on their map (which is the road) as opposed to the steep, shorter route (it´s on the left on their map.) Additionally, the camino signage points you down the steep, shorter route. IT IS VERY VERY STEEP & THERE WERE TIMES THAT I THOUGHT I WAS LOST. And there was no fog or rain or anything to block my view. What I saved in km, I lost in time having to pick my way teeny step by teeny step.

IMO, take the road, which will be on your left when you get to the top, especially if the weather is bad & you can´t see too far.


Kelly