Julia Mumford
Adventure Geek
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Camino Frances (2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Camino Ingles (2018)
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We leave for our first Camino on 27th May, and start out journey from St Jean on 28th.
I am walking with my 13 year old daughter, therefore I really wanted to make sure that we had our first night booked up at the Orrison. But I can't seem to book, which is now starting to worry me, as I really don't want to do that very long walk uphill all the way to the next town!
I understand that they only have 18 beds - what will I do if I can't get a bed for the night? I am not keen on sleeping outside on our very first night on the Camino, especially with my young daughter.
- I emailed 3 weeks ago - no reply.
- I phoned them on Sunday - and was told that they could not take bookings over the phone and please email or apply via the online form.
- I completed the online form and also emailed them - no response
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
I will be spending the night at Corazon Puro the night before I start, so I won't already be in St Jean, meaning that I will be getting a later start than many.My advice would be not to stop at Orisson but, like most pilgrims, keep going to Roncesvalles. The average time to do it is between 6 and 7 hours. The ascent gradient is easy and likewise the descent to Roncesvalles. I don't get the obsession that many people on this forum have with staying in Orisson. It's a pleasant enough place to stop for breakfast but its only about 1.5 to 2 hours out of St Jean so unless you leave St. Jean fairly late you will have a very long day to put down in Orisson (assuming they will confirm your reservation). Staying in Orisson would make sense if your intention was to walk directly there from the train when you arrive in St Jean which would probably be late afternoon. However, if you already have accommodation booked in St Jean on the night of the 27th then forget Orisson and walk directly to Roncesvalles the next day.
Clearly individuals have quite different perception on how difficult crossing the Pyrenees might be. I doubt that most pilgrims could walk from SJPP to Roncesvalles in less than the 6-7 hours @John Finn suggests is the average. I started Route Valcarlos with two people I learned were quite fast walkers and it took them longer than that on a route that is perhaps half a kilometre shorter and with less climb. I was slower and took about nine hours. As for the assessment that it is an easy climb, the most I can do locally is about 700 metres of climb in about 7 km - about half of what one needs to achieve crossing the Pyrenees. In my books, that is a hard climb - not technically difficult, just demanding.My advice would be not to stop at Orisson but, like most pilgrims, keep going to Roncesvalles. The average time to do it is between 6 and 7 hours. The ascent gradient is easy and likewise the descent to Roncesvalles. I don't get the obsession that many people on this forum have with staying in Orisson. It's a pleasant enough place to stop for breakfast but its only about 1.5 to 2 hours out of St Jean so unless you leave St. Jean fairly late you will have a very long day to put down in Orisson (assuming they will confirm your reservation). Staying in Orisson would make sense if your intention was to walk directly there from the train when you arrive in St Jean which would probably be late afternoon. However, if you already have accommodation booked in St Jean on the night of the 27th then forget Orisson and walk directly to Roncesvalles the next day.
We leave for our first Camino on 27th May, and start out journey from St Jean on 28th.
I am walking with my 13 year old daughter, therefore I really wanted to make sure that we had our first night booked up at the Orrison. But I can't seem to book, which is now starting to worry me, as I really don't want to do that very long walk uphill all the way to the next town!
I understand that they only have 18 beds - what will I do if I can't get a bed for the night? I am not keen on sleeping outside on our very first night on the Camino, especially with my young daughter.
- I emailed 3 weeks ago - no reply.
- I phoned them on Sunday - and was told that they could not take bookings over the phone and please email or apply via the online form.
- I completed the online form and also emailed them - no response
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
My advice would be not to stop at Orisson but, like most pilgrims, keep going to Roncesvalles. The average time to do it is between 6 and 7 hours. The ascent gradient is easy and likewise the descent to Roncesvalles. I don't get the obsession that many people on this forum have with staying in Orisson. It's a pleasant enough place to stop for breakfast but its only about 1.5 to 2 hours out of St Jean so unless you leave St. Jean fairly late you will have a very long day to put down in Orisson (assuming they will confirm your reservation). Staying in Orisson would make sense if your intention was to walk directly there from the train when you arrive in St Jean which would probably be late afternoon. However, if you already have accommodation booked in St Jean on the night of the 27th then forget Orisson and walk directly to Roncesvalles the next day.
I'm giving myself even more time to rest after a flight from the west coast. I'll land in Madrid around 5 pm, then I'm going to spend 2 nights in Madrid before taking the train to Pamplona. I'm fortunate enough not to be working, so I have the time.Some of us Colonials not only live across the pond but live close to the other pond. Flying in to Madrid or Paris from the other pond is a very long flight indeed and you still have a long train ride and maybe a bus ride. A few days of adjustment are really needed. Starting the camino with a few short walks can help.
My schedule: The day of arrival, get from Madrid to Pamplona by train and spend the night near Pamplona, the 2nd day visit and stay in Saint Jean, the 3rd day a short walk to Orisson, and the 4th day a slightly longer walk to Roscesvalles. Buen Camino
Happy Trails
Please tell me you're going to visit the Prado.I'm giving myself even more time to rest after a flight from the west coast. I'll land in Madrid around 5 pm, then I'm going to spend 2 nights in Madrid before taking the train to Pamplona. I'm fortunate enough not to be working, so I have the time.
Please tell me you're going to visit the Prado.
We get into Madrid at 0900 and catch our train to Pamplona at 1505. May I suggest Pension Corazon Puro for accommodations near Pamplona. For $35 they will pick you up at the train station, put you up for the night, feed you dinner and breakfast, and take you to Saint Jean the next morning. They come highly recommended and that is where I'm staying.
We have 45 days port to port so we have plenty of time. We are hoping to finish with enough time to go walk the Caminto del Ray which is near Malaga on the Mediterranean coast.
Buen Camino
Happy Trails
No problem. If you can't book some beds. Contact www.expressbourricot.com I use them last year for transport from Bayonne to St Jean, but they do so much more. I am thinking, you could walk, they will pick you up at an agreed upon point, and take you back to St Jean for the night then in the morning, drop you off to begin again.We leave for our first Camino on 27th May, and start out journey from St Jean on 28th.
I am walking with my 13 year old daughter, therefore I really wanted to make sure that we had our first night booked up at the Orrison. But I can't seem to book, which is now starting to worry me, as I really don't want to do that very long walk uphill all the way to the next town!
I understand that they only have 18 beds - what will I do if I can't get a bed for the night? I am not keen on sleeping outside on our very first night on the Camino, especially with my young daughter.
- I emailed 3 weeks ago - no reply.
- I phoned them on Sunday - and was told that they could not take bookings over the phone and please email or apply via the online form.
- I completed the online form and also emailed them - no response
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
To return to the original query...
I'm surprised to read in Brierly that Orisson has 18 beds in 3 rooms, and even more surprised not to find any entry for Orisson accommodations in Miam Miam Dodo. I remember a much larger group at dinner there a few years ago. No?
Once you see the pictures you will want to add the Caminto del Rey to your bucket list. Oh and there is a cool Maritime Museum just down the street from the Prado that is worth a look.My reservation at Corazon Puro is already made.This forum is so great for learning about places like Corazon Puro and Orisson.
I have 47 days in Spain. I haven't heard of the Caminito del Rey. I'll have to check it out! Though after walking the Camino Frances I might just be up for some city time - and a change of clothes! I'm planning on leaving a suitcase in Madrid. I have been offered a place to stay there by the friend of a woman I stayed with while I attended a language class in Barcelona last year.
Don't worry, I do intend to visit El Prado. I was only in Madrid for half a day last year and didn't have the opportunity.
I saw the pictures. It looks slightly terrifying!Once you see the pictures you will want to add the Caminto del Rey to your bucket list. Oh and there is a cool Maritime Museum just down the street from the Prado that is worth a look.
There is the old route that required climbing gear and experience. There is a brand new route build above the old one that you just walk. Hard hats are still required. Be sure you are looking at the new route.I saw the pictures. It looks slightly terrifying!
However, if you already have accommodation booked in St Jean on the night of the 27th then forget Orisson and walk directly to Roncesvalles the next day.
I would advise people not to stay at Orisson. We reached Orisson in less than three hours - about the time you're just getting into it. Also, by the time you reach Orisson the steepest uphill is over and things start to level out. Just my two cents worth.We leave for our first Camino on 27th May, and start out journey from St Jean on 28th.
I am walking with my 13 year old daughter, therefore I really wanted to make sure that we had our first night booked up at the Orrison. But I can't seem to book, which is now starting to worry me, as I really don't want to do that very long walk uphill all the way to the next town!
I understand that they only have 18 beds - what will I do if I can't get a bed for the night? I am not keen on sleeping outside on our very first night on the Camino, especially with my young daughter.
- I emailed 3 weeks ago - no reply.
- I phoned them on Sunday - and was told that they could not take bookings over the phone and please email or apply via the online form.
- I completed the online form and also emailed them - no response
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
We are arriving in St Jean about 11am, so we will be travelling from the train station.
We leave for our first Camino on 27th May, and start out journey from St Jean on 28th.
I am walking with my 13 year old daughter, therefore I really wanted to make sure that we had our first night booked up at the Orrison. But I can't seem to book, which is now starting to worry me, as I really don't want to do that very long walk uphill all the way to the next town!
I understand that they only have 18 beds - what will I do if I can't get a bed for the night? I am not keen on sleeping outside on our very first night on the Camino, especially with my young daughter.
- I emailed 3 weeks ago - no reply.
- I phoned them on Sunday - and was told that they could not take bookings over the phone and please email or apply via the online form.
- I completed the online form and also emailed them - no response
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
Hi,We leave for our first Camino on 27th May, and start out journey from St Jean on 28th.
I am walking with my 13 year old daughter, therefore I really wanted to make sure that we had our first night booked up at the Orrison. But I can't seem to book, which is now starting to worry me, as I really don't want to do that very long walk uphill all the way to the next town!
I understand that they only have 18 beds - what will I do if I can't get a bed for the night? I am not keen on sleeping outside on our very first night on the Camino, especially with my young daughter.
- I emailed 3 weeks ago - no reply.
- I phoned them on Sunday - and was told that they could not take bookings over the phone and please email or apply via the online form.
- I completed the online form and also emailed them - no response
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
Orrison Doesn't have any wi-fi, so they do take a while to get back to you. They also have one single room with 2 beds.We leave for our first Camino on 27th May, and start out journey from St Jean on 28th.
I am walking with my 13 year old daughter, therefore I really wanted to make sure that we had our first night booked up at the Orrison. But I can't seem to book, which is now starting to worry me, as I really don't want to do that very long walk uphill all the way to the next town!
I understand that they only have 18 beds - what will I do if I can't get a bed for the night? I am not keen on sleeping outside on our very first night on the Camino, especially with my young daughter.
- I emailed 3 weeks ago - no reply.
- I phoned them on Sunday - and was told that they could not take bookings over the phone and please email or apply via the online form.
- I completed the online form and also emailed them - no response
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
I've done the Corazon Puro thing twice. Last year and in 2014. It's great, but by the time you get to SJPdP the next morning it's around 8:30-9:00 am. After you get your pilgrim's passport at the pilgrim's passport office and pick up some lunch for the day's walk you would probably be looking at a 10:00 am start time. If you plan on walking all the way to Roncesvalles you would get there pretty late. If you plan on staying at Orisson, then it's no problem and you would even have time to roam about SJPdP for a little while. It doesn't take very long to walk to Orisson.I will be spending the night at Corazon Puro the night before I start, so I won't already be in St Jean, meaning that I will be getting a later start than many.
I know, being with someone that age is enough to make anyone more nervous. Nonetheless, I tender some memories in hope they aid you. The worst of the climbing uphill was in that first third of the day. (Of course when one lives in the flatlands it's going to be more difficult.) Stop for breath when you feel short-winded--join the millions of pilgrims who have made that lovely photo looking down onto St Jean while we caught our breath--and be sure to eat a bowl of soup at Orrison. We didn't--it was only about 1030--and when noon came we were too tired to eat more than 3 bites. So eat/drink something warm and salty and keep going. Rest when you need to. It's okay to sit on the grass.We leave for our first Camino on 27th May, and start out journey from St Jean on 28th.
I am walking with my 13 year old daughter, therefore I really wanted to make sure that we had our first night booked up at the Orrison. But I can't seem to book, which is now starting to worry me, as I really don't want to do that very long walk uphill all the way to the next town!
I understand that they only have 18 beds - what will I do if I can't get a bed for the night? I am not keen on sleeping outside on our very first night on the Camino, especially with my young daughter.
- I emailed 3 weeks ago - no reply.
- I phoned them on Sunday - and was told that they could not take bookings over the phone and please email or apply via the online form.
- I completed the online form and also emailed them - no response
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
I suggest staying in SJPdP for the day/night as well. It really is a cool little town. The train station is only a few minute walk from the center of town.We are arriving in St Jean about 11am, so we will be travelling from the train station.
Great info. Would you mind if I copy this information to my YouTube show 01 SJPD to Orisson with your name to my video details.Some facts about Orisson, current as of October 2015:
Capacity
They have five dorm rooms, three with six beds each, and two with 10 beds each. They also have two smaller rooms that they do not book/assign in advance - one sleeps two in twin beds, the other sleeps three in a full-size bed and a twin. That equals a capacity of 43. Last year they installed a washing machine to accompany their tumbler dryer. One set of machines for 43 people, so that may not be your laundry day.
Reservations
There is no internet access at Orisson. Reservations are handled in a nearby town, usually by someone who reads and writes in English. Sometimes they get back to you right away, sometimes not. When they respond to your booking, you will get two emails - one from refuge.orisson@wanadoo.fr, and a second one, with the link to the PayPal invoice, from SARL APATHIA. If you haven't paid the invoice, you do not have a reservation.
The owner, Jean-Jacques, runs the facility but he does not handle the email correspondence. He speaks French, Basque, and Spanish fluently, and not English. His wife, Carole, speaks French, Basque, and English. One of their staff is fluent in English, and they occasionally have someone working who also speaks English.
If you don't have an advance booking, the Pilgrim's Office in SJPP can check availability for you and make a reservation. They regularly get same-day cancellations, when people leave SJPP early, get to Orisson early, and decide to walk on to Roncesvalles. On your day of arrival, you must arrive by 6:30pm, or your bed will be given away, no refunds.
Food
The communal dinner begins at 6:30pm. It is a wonderful experience and a great start to the journey. Guests staying at Kayola have the option to eat at Orisson.
Breakfast at Orisson is juice, coffee, tea, and/or hot chocolate, plus bread with butter and jam. Nothing else is available for breakfast. You can order a sandwich (meat, pate, cheese on a baguette) to take on the trail, but you must order and pay for it when you check in. For those arriving hungry during the day, the bar will be open and the restaurant serves meals in the afternoon.
For those needing more than a baguette to fuel them over the mountain, you will likely find a food truck eight kilometers after Orisson, selling hot coffee and hot chocolate, hard boiled eggs, fruit, and delicious sheep's cheese from the owner's farm (Michele and his son Sebastian). They also offer the last stamp for your credencial before you leave France. When they are there, they are there until around 1:30pm each day, through around the end of September (I'm not sure when their 'season' starts).
Personally, I wouldn't miss Orisson when starting from SJPP. The view from the terrace, the sunrise, the community feel...all makes for the perfect end of the first day of any Camino journey. And it fully supports my motto: Don't rush the start!
~ Nancy
Lots of good comments and I can really relate and agree with nancy. I was booked( 3years ago at end of April) into the hostel just below Orrison and on arrival so did Jean- Jacques to tell me they not yet open,Duh!!, and he would take me to orrison , maybe 1 km,which he did. Next day, Napoleon route closed with snow so he and another took 2 vehicles to shuttle us(no charge) to the Valcarlos route and assured us that we were not gaining any distance in doing so. Did not want to think I had 'cheated' on Day 1 (it's OK just a personal thing I have! ). On the way uphill I broke my hiking pole and J-J gave me another from the back room. Great guy and great place, even in a non stop downpour on arrival and departure and all the way to roncesvalles.We leave for our first Camino on 27th May, and start out journey from St Jean on 28th.
I am walking with my 13 year old daughter, therefore I really wanted to make sure that we had our first night booked up at the Orrison. But I can't seem to book, which is now starting to worry me, as I really don't want to do that very long walk uphill all the way to the next town!
I understand that they only have 18 beds - what will I do if I can't get a bed for the night? I am not keen on sleeping outside on our very first night on the Camino, especially with my young daughter.
- I emailed 3 weeks ago - no reply.
- I phoned them on Sunday - and was told that they could not take bookings over the phone and please email or apply via the online form.
- I completed the online form and also emailed them - no response
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
I sent you a reply but under the Nancy comment further down.We leave for our first Camino on 27th May, and start out journey from St Jean on 28th.
I am walking with my 13 year old daughter, therefore I really wanted to make sure that we had our first night booked up at the Orrison. But I can't seem to book, which is now starting to worry me, as I really don't want to do that very long walk uphill all the way to the next town!
I understand that they only have 18 beds - what will I do if I can't get a bed for the night? I am not keen on sleeping outside on our very first night on the Camino, especially with my young daughter.
- I emailed 3 weeks ago - no reply.
- I phoned them on Sunday - and was told that they could not take bookings over the phone and please email or apply via the online form.
- I completed the online form and also emailed them - no response
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
What he said. This is not the Camino Marathon. It's a walk. A gentle introspective stroll. Let the Camino set your pace, what ever pace that is. Leave the timetable at home.
Some facts about Orisson, current as of October 2015:
Capacity
They have five dorm rooms, three with six beds each, and two with 10 beds each. They also have two smaller rooms that they do not book/assign in advance - one sleeps two in twin beds, the other sleeps three in a full-size bed and a twin. That equals a capacity of 43. Last year they installed a washing machine to accompany their tumbler dryer. One set of machines for 43 people, so that may not be your laundry day.
Reservations
There is no internet access at Orisson. Reservations are handled in a nearby town, usually by someone who reads and writes in English. Sometimes they get back to you right away, sometimes not. When they respond to your booking, you will get two emails - one from refuge.orisson@wanadoo.fr, and a second one, with the link to the PayPal invoice, from SARL APATHIA. If you haven't paid the invoice, you do not have a reservation.
The owner, Jean-Jacques, runs the facility but he does not handle the email correspondence. He speaks French, Basque, and Spanish fluently, and not English. His wife, Carole, speaks French, Basque, and English. One of their staff is fluent in English, and they occasionally have someone working who also speaks English.
If you don't have an advance booking, the Pilgrim's Office in SJPP can check availability for you and make a reservation. They regularly get same-day cancellations, when people leave SJPP early, get to Orisson early, and decide to walk on to Roncesvalles. On your day of arrival, you must arrive by 6:30pm, or your bed will be given away, no refunds.
Food
The communal dinner begins at 6:30pm. It is a wonderful experience and a great start to the journey. Guests staying at Kayola have the option to eat at Orisson.
Breakfast at Orisson is juice, coffee, tea, and/or hot chocolate, plus bread with butter and jam. Nothing else is available for breakfast. You can order a sandwich (meat, pate, cheese on a baguette) to take on the trail, but you must order and pay for it when you check in. For those arriving hungry during the day, the bar will be open and the restaurant serves meals in the afternoon.
For those needing more than a baguette to fuel them over the mountain, you will likely find a food truck eight kilometers after Orisson, selling hot coffee and hot chocolate, hard boiled eggs, fruit, and delicious sheep's cheese from the owner's farm (Michele and his son Sebastian). They also offer the last stamp for your credencial before you leave France. When they are there, they are there until around 1:30pm each day, through around the end of September (I'm not sure when their 'season' starts).
Personally, I wouldn't miss Orisson when starting from SJPP. The view from the terrace, the sunrise, the community feel...all makes for the perfect end of the first day of any Camino journey. And it fully supports my motto: Don't rush the start!
There was a washer and dryer at Orrison in 2012--lots of folks wanting to use both as the October day was hot and sunny and the walk up to the gite hot and sweaty! It was much appreciated!
~ Nancy
We leave for our first Camino on 27th May, and start out journey from St Jean on 28th.
I am walking with my 13 year old daughter, therefore I really wanted to make sure that we had our first night booked up at the Orrison. But I can't seem to book, which is now starting to worry me, as I really don't want to do that very long walk uphill all the way to the next town!
I understand that they only have 18 beds - what will I do if I can't get a bed for the night? I am not keen on sleeping outside on our very first night on the Camino, especially with my young daughter.
- I emailed 3 weeks ago - no reply.
- I phoned them on Sunday - and was told that they could not take bookings over the phone and please email or apply via the online form.
- I completed the online form and also emailed them - no response
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
We leave for our first Camino on 27th May, and start out journey from St Jean on 28th.
I am walking with my 13 year old daughter, therefore I really wanted to make sure that we had our first night booked up at the Orrison. But I can't seem to book, which is now starting to worry me, as I really don't want to do that very long walk uphill all the way to the next town!
I understand that they only have 18 beds - what will I do if I can't get a bed for the night? I am not keen on sleeping outside on our very first night on the Camino, especially with my young daughter.
- I emailed 3 weeks ago - no reply.
- I phoned them on Sunday - and was told that they could not take bookings over the phone and please email or apply via the online form.
- I completed the online form and also emailed them - no response
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you
I just made reservations last week.I first sent an email about when I wanted to stay,about 2 days later I got an email saying I was booked but they would send me info on paying on a paypal account.A few hours later I received a paypal request and payed it.All within 3 days total.You might want to keep trying.After all I heard it seemed too easy for me good luck.Another week has passed and I have still not heard back from them, so we are about to give up. Our backup plan is to walk to the Orrison, if they do not have beds available then we will get a taxi back to St Jean and stay overnight in St Jean, then get a taxi back in the morning to the Orrison and walk from there.
That's what thought at first.I had reservations for hunto but canceled once I got into Orrison.It seems to me that's the happening spot to be.I finally got a response from them but it was through PayPal. Almost deleted it without looking as I was not looking for anything from PayPal.
Good luck
Very confused as to weither I should stay there or just push on.
Sorry...just saw your request. If you haven't already, yes, of course, do copy and share.Great info. Would you mind if I copy this information to my YouTube show 01 SJPD to Orisson with your name to my video details.
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