Spain- Pamplona to Saint Jean Pied de Port
Apr 14th, 2016, 07:01 PM
#1
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Spain- Pamplona to Saint Jean Pied de Port
Hi, We are narrowing down our itinerary for Spain and have decided that hiking the Pyrenees is a must for our family.
We are 6 in total and looking to hike from St.Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles. The big concern is that there is only one bus from Pamplona to St. Jean Pied leaving at 10 am. We might not actually start hiking until 1 pm as our kids are between 10-20 years old.
One averages about 3 km an hour so seeing that it is about 23 km, we would need at least 7-8 hours of solid hiking. I understand that there is Valcarlos where we could stop and spend the night so that is a possiblity but we are keen on doing the Napoleon Route. And there is also the refugio Orisson but I am unclear after what km you hit the Orisson.?
So if anyone has some insight that would be great.
Or could anyone recommend a driver that could take us to the border early from Pamplona i.e. 8 am and then pick us up from Roncesvalles when we are done? Or an agency that is reasonable that could take us to the border.
Thank you for any suggestions or input.
We are 6 in total and looking to hike from St.Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles. The big concern is that there is only one bus from Pamplona to St. Jean Pied leaving at 10 am. We might not actually start hiking until 1 pm as our kids are between 10-20 years old.
One averages about 3 km an hour so seeing that it is about 23 km, we would need at least 7-8 hours of solid hiking. I understand that there is Valcarlos where we could stop and spend the night so that is a possiblity but we are keen on doing the Napoleon Route. And there is also the refugio Orisson but I am unclear after what km you hit the Orisson.?
So if anyone has some insight that would be great.
Or could anyone recommend a driver that could take us to the border early from Pamplona i.e. 8 am and then pick us up from Roncesvalles when we are done? Or an agency that is reasonable that could take us to the border.
Thank you for any suggestions or input.
Apr 14th, 2016, 07:37 PM
#3
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This is one hell of an undertaking especially with children. I would suggest asking your question on this forum. You are doing one of the first stages of the Camino Frances and contributors to this forum are experts.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/comm...no-frances.12/
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/comm...no-frances.12/
Apr 15th, 2016, 09:25 AM
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Last September I walked from St Jean Pied de Port over the Pyrenees to Roncesvalles and then on to Pamplona and Puente la Reina. I am returning in less than 2 weeks to continue on the Camino for a few more days and miles.
So, from Pamplona there are several buses each day, info here...
http://caminoteca.com/en/camino-faq/...-from-pamplona
Refuge Orisson is 8km UP from SJPdP - and it's a steep 8km with the road climbing 800m over the 8km. Orisson is a lovely place to stay for pilgrims - you do need credencials, and I think there is an age limit regarding children. Reservations are essential. Alternativcely you can stay at Hunto, a km or so lower down the mountain.
After Orisson there is nothing until you reach Roncesvalles - you are crossing the Pyrenees from France to Spain. It's not particularly difficult, just a long 12km climb followed by a steep 4km descent. There may be a white van up by Croix Thibault where you can buy coffee, hot chocolate, hard boiled eggs, cheese, bread, but he is not guaranteed to be there.
It is very important to check at the pilgrim office in SJPdP whether the pass is open over the mountain, and if you are advised not to walk due to inclement weather, then don't - recently two pilgrims had to be rescued and have been charged over 4000 euros.
There is also Corazon Puro, a pension in Viskarret, a village 10km from Roncesvalles, where Istvan and Barbara will collect you from Pamplona, drive you to their home where you eat and sleep, and the next morning they drive you to SJPdP. Whether they would pick you up on Roncesvalles, I don't know. But there are taxis, and a bus goes from Pamplona to Roncesvalles at 6pm,and probably returns too.
WWW.rome2rio.com is useful for searching transport options.
and as mentioned above, you can find out answers to most of your questions at www.caminodesantiago.me
So, from Pamplona there are several buses each day, info here...
http://caminoteca.com/en/camino-faq/...-from-pamplona
Refuge Orisson is 8km UP from SJPdP - and it's a steep 8km with the road climbing 800m over the 8km. Orisson is a lovely place to stay for pilgrims - you do need credencials, and I think there is an age limit regarding children. Reservations are essential. Alternativcely you can stay at Hunto, a km or so lower down the mountain.
After Orisson there is nothing until you reach Roncesvalles - you are crossing the Pyrenees from France to Spain. It's not particularly difficult, just a long 12km climb followed by a steep 4km descent. There may be a white van up by Croix Thibault where you can buy coffee, hot chocolate, hard boiled eggs, cheese, bread, but he is not guaranteed to be there.
It is very important to check at the pilgrim office in SJPdP whether the pass is open over the mountain, and if you are advised not to walk due to inclement weather, then don't - recently two pilgrims had to be rescued and have been charged over 4000 euros.
There is also Corazon Puro, a pension in Viskarret, a village 10km from Roncesvalles, where Istvan and Barbara will collect you from Pamplona, drive you to their home where you eat and sleep, and the next morning they drive you to SJPdP. Whether they would pick you up on Roncesvalles, I don't know. But there are taxis, and a bus goes from Pamplona to Roncesvalles at 6pm,and probably returns too.
WWW.rome2rio.com is useful for searching transport options.
and as mentioned above, you can find out answers to most of your questions at www.caminodesantiago.me
Apr 15th, 2016, 09:30 AM
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I should say, crossing the Pyrenees after Orisson is not particularly difficult if you are reasonably fit and healthy. It is not a walk in the park by any means, the path climbs from 800m at Orisson to 1500m at Col de Lepoeder. Some of it is rocky, a lot is on road and grass, don't underestimate its difficulty especially if it is rainy and windy.
Another alternative which comes to mind is the service offered by Express Bourricot, where they will collect you by pre-arrangement a few km after Orisson, at the Vierge d'Orisson statue.
Another alternative which comes to mind is the service offered by Express Bourricot, where they will collect you by pre-arrangement a few km after Orisson, at the Vierge d'Orisson statue.
Apr 15th, 2016, 09:40 AM
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Alsa handles the Pamplona-Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port route, but there are only two buses/day (www.alsa.es/en/home), one departing at 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm and priced at 22€/person.
For 6 people, it might be more comfortable to use a private transfer, and you can travel when you want. The cost would be about the same.
For 6 people, it might be more comfortable to use a private transfer, and you can travel when you want. The cost would be about the same.
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