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There's also the option of going through Valcarlos, instead of taking the Napolean Route. It's about 12 km from SJPdP (lots of hills, though, and the last 1/2km is a steep, 60m drop and climb). The climb over the pass the next day is easier, too.
In 2016, at age 65, I stayed the night at Orrison and began an early day, via the Napoleon. Had trained quite a bit at near sea level. Affected by the gain in altitude, unable to continue after several kilometers, I returned to Orrison. It was mid-morning. They kindly called for a cab, which arrived 1 1/2 hours later and carried me to Roncesvalles. I do not remember the actual cost, but $100 (US) sounds about right. We did not have to go back to SJpDP, but took a shorter route along the ridgeline. The remainder of the pilgrimage was not nearly as physically taxing, although not always easy. Buen Camino!
A chart is here: https://www.wildsafe.org/resources/...itude-safety-101/high-altitude-oxygen-levels/Just to clarify, when you said affected by the gain in altitude, you are meaning the exertion of the effort? I'm wondering because that section of the Pyrenees is too low to really affect oxygen levels in any meaningful manner.
Personally, I would not recommend this whole stage to a person with a heart condition. I did it at 62, and in a section, just before Orisson (even although I had already walked for five days along the Pyrenees), I had to walk 50 meters, stop, recover my breath, then another 50 meters, and again...Feasible, but really tough.
Roncesvalles is a historic and very pleasant place, with many short and relatively easy trekking paths (click here) around the monastery and the woods. So, you can wait for your nephew there, entertain yourself, and get a taste of a walk in the mountains.
I am not, myself, but some people are affected by altitude sickness even at elevations where we would not think that possible. My middle son is an example of thisJust to clarify, when you said affected by the gain in altitude, you are meaning the exertion of the effort? I'm wondering because that section of the Pyrenees is too low to really affect oxygen levels in any meaningful manner.
I was day hiking in The Pyrenees several years ago in the Parque Nacional Ordesa y Monte Perdido and it was snowing. It was July 4th. Weather in the Pyrenees is capricious...The views whilst walking to Roncesvalles (from St Jean or Orisson) are certainly magnificent BUT bear in mind it could be a foggy or rainy day with no visibility whatsoever ... It does happen, even in Summer.
I am not, myself, but some people are affected by altitude sickness even at elevations where we would not think that possible. My middle son is an example of this
Hi, day one is tough, but if you can walk 15km a day you will not have a problem. The best thing is ; the toughest day is the first day, then it's plane sailingI plan to start from St Jean in mid May. Will be walking with my nephew. He’s 18. I’m 70, so there will be a difference in speed. I have been training, but don’t think I’ll be able to do more than 15 km daily. I think I could do St Jean to Orrison, but not sure about the next day on to Roncevales. I do have a heart condition that is stable right now, but endurance could be a problem. I know I can do 5-6 miles at a time, and have been doing some climbing in New Mexico at elevations of up to a mile without difficulty. Just took it nice and slow. But it was not as long a hike as those I anticipate in Spain.
If I start the Napoleonic Route and get too exhausted en route from Orrison , are there options? Any suggestions welcome
That elevation map is really interesting to me because it illustrates how unreliable memory (mine at least) can be. If anyone had asked I'd have said that the SJPdP to Orrisson section was VERY steep, but the remainder of the route just gently rolling up to beginning of the knee-shattering descent into Roncesvalles. Your map, however, shows a lot of elevation gain after Orrisson which I don't recall at all. Goes to show how much my advice is worth. LOL@Elm, the reason I am not recommending the SJPdP to Roncevalles climb for you is because you said you had a heart condition. I've reworked the profiles from my GPS track data. On both the Napoleon and Valcarlos routes there are 3 km stretches that average a 15% slope. On the Napoleon from the 4.0 km mark to the 7.0 km mark (with an elevation gain of 450 m). The same elevation gain can be seen on the Valcarlos route between the 18.5 and 21.5 km marks. Also note that, although the Napoleon reaches a higher elevation, the cumulative elevation gains are about the same (N=1398 m, V=1359 m).
Maybe you can find an equivalent distance and slope on a road in your mountains near you and give it a drive to see if that is something you should attempt to walk.
Track Statistics
Route Napoleon
Valcarlos_Route
- distance: 25.05 km
- min/max elev.: 164 m/1432 m
- elev. gain/loss: 1398 m/-609 m
- distance: 22.87 km
- min/max elev.: 164 m/1059 m
- elev. gain/loss: 1359 m/-570 m
Elevation profiles of the tracks from St. Jean Pied de Port to Roncevalles
If seen in a post click the chart to see a page with comments on the details.
Hi, Elm, and welcome to the Forum.
Short answer: If you decide you can't go on once you get to Orisson, you can taxi or shuttle back down to St Jean. Then you can arrange a bus or shuttle to take you to Roncesvalles, most likely the next day.
Given what you posted, I would strongly encourage you to start out of Roncesvalles. The miles of walking uphill are long, followed by a very steep descent into Roncesvalles. here is a step-by-step video showing what the route to Roncesvalles is like.
Thanks for explaining that, Rick.Carolyn, I think you are talking about @davebugg's video on this thread's second post. Dave actually took the longer, less steep way. The steep way is 4.0 km to Roncesvalles. The longer way follows the road to Puerto Ibaneta. That is also 4.0 km but then it is 1.3 km more to Roncevalles.
At 34:00 in the video Dave shows what is labelled the shortest way and he takes it. At 34:30 you see a sign post. That actually tells you the easier way is the path to the right but many people get confused here anyway. Dave continues on the short way though so you can see (at 34:40) where, back on the road, the steep way, a trail, is across the road heading down into the forest. He also points the camera to the right down the road with a label indicating that is the easy way. That is the way his walk continues.
The trail to the right at the signpost at 34:30 will meet the road later on. So, to take the least steep way, take a right at the sign post or, past that, take a right at the road.
It is possible to slow down youtube videos. That will be helpful in the 34:00 to 35:00 timeframe.
I figured you do enough explaining for 5 people Dave. Spend your time on another baking post.Thanks for explaining that, Rick.
Thanks to everyone for all the information and suggestions. I see that I have many options depending on how I feel, the weather, and my cardiologist’s instructions. I feel much reassured about the start of this journey. I don’t feel bound to prove anything. And I don’t mind a bus or taxi occasionally if necessary.Lots of good advice above. I think starting in Roncesvalles makes sense.
But...........
If you wanted to experience the Pyrenees, and the weather was OK, you could do part of it.
The first section to Orrison is quite strenuous and you have a long drag uphill after that.
Why not just take the Mountain shuttle to the top? ( Croix Thibault )
Scroll down this page: https://www.expressbourricot.com/persons-transport/
Then you have a 10 km walk across the top and down
(take the RH path on the downhill from Col Lepoeder as it's easier)
If the weather doesn't look good at the top, stay on the shuttle and go back down to St Jean.
They will probably have a shuttle going to Roncesvalles or you can get a regular taxi from St Jean to Roncesvalles.
Given what you posted, I would strongly encourage you to start out of Roncesvalles. The miles of walking uphill are long, followed by a very steep descent into Roncesvalles. here is a step-by-step video showing what the route to Roncesvalles is like.
Dave, I so enjoyed watching the video, and have found the whole series now on YouTube, thanks. I relived the whole exhilarating experience.
I loved the pauses where you stop and look around and take it all in. The fly-over at the beginning was a revelation to a computer non-savvy like me. Great contribution !
I will be starting Sept 18 on my 77 th birthday. I have planned my Camino to be in Orisson that evening and continue on to Ronsavellas the next day. Will be going very slow. Will hook up with my wife on Oct 15 in Leon and finish whenever.In 2017, I pre-planned my first night on the Camino to be at Orrison. Why? To assess my pack, pace, and feet. Even though I trained in the Cascades, it seemed prudent to make this my first stop. I reminded myself this was not a race, and I had plenty of time. I started on April 22nd from SJPdP. I was 75.
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