Oloron-Sainte-Marie to Santiago

[Juspassinthru]

A friend and I will be starting our Camino in OSM on April 1st and plan to be in Santiago on May 15th. Anyone on the Aragónes during that time? Expect to be in Jaca on the 5th depending on weather in the Somport Pass.

 

[Vacajoe]

Early April sees very very few pilgrims on that route, but there will be a lot of day hikers after Somport of the weather is nice. Bo need for reservations anywhere on the Aragon, even during Holy Week. Be sure to stay at the donativo albergue in Canfranc Pueblo - it’s a beaut!

 

[Flog]

A friend and I will be starting our Camino in OSM on April 1st and plan to be in Santiago on May 15th. Anyone on the Aragónes during that time? Expect to be in Jaca on the 5th depending on weather in the Somport Pass.

I expect to walk from Pau/Lescar, a couple of weeks behind you. Please, if you can, post about conditions on the path up towards the Somport Pass.

 

[trecile]

I'll be a month and a half behind you - I hope that you find time to post here as you go.

 

[rappahannock_rev]

Give Jaca the time it deserves.... The Cathedral and the Cathedral Museum are world-class!

 

[Juspassinthru]

I'll be a month and a half behind you - I hope that you find time to post here as you go.

I will, hope it helps.

 

[Juspassinthru]

I expect to walk from Pau/Lescar, a couple of weeks behind you. Please, if you can, post about conditions on the path up towards the Somport Pass.

I will, we've found it difficult to find Pilgrims accommodations between OSM and the Pass. There are few dedicated Pilgrim Hostels, one in Borce doesn't open until May. Most of the other hostels are booked with skiers. I'll try to post some updates as we go.

 

[Juspassinthru]

Give Jaca the time it deserves.... The Cathedral and the Cathedral Museum are world-class!

thank you, we're staying in Villanúa instead of coming all the way down from Candanchú so it will be an early arrival in Jaca. We'd really like to get out to the monastery, taxi out and back as we're not walking that loop.

 

[J Willhaus]

There was a posting earlier today about a landslide at Borce, so keep an eye out to see if that was cleared.

 

[Flog]

That was my concern.. interested to hear any updates on how it is on the ground.

 

[Anniesantiago]

It's a wonderful route!
Buen Camino!

 

[Vacajoe]

thank you, we're staying in Villanúa instead of coming all the way down from Candanchú so it will be an early arrival in Jaca. We'd really like to get out to the monastery, taxi out and back as we're not walking that loop.

Are you staying into Santa Cilia or Santa Cruz? If so, either are much closer to the monastery and a cheaper/faster trip by taxi. You could even taxi up and walk down (the road is very quiet in April and the views of the canyon worth the walk down).

 

[andycohn]

That was my concern.. interested to hear any updates on how it is on the ground.

Here's the post on the landslide in Borce, and the road closure. It's not clear to me whether this is a new occurrence, or whether it's about the ongoing road closure that's at least a year old.

Thread 'GR653 path closed at Cette-Eygun (diversion via N134 road)'
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...at-cette-eygun-diversion-via-n134-road.85709/

 

[Jeff Arnold]

I will, we've found it difficult to find Pilgrims accommodations between OSM and the Pass. There are few dedicated Pilgrim Hostels, one in Borce doesn't open until May. Most of the other hostels are booked with skiers. I'll try to post some updates as we go.

Will you be staying at the monastery in Sarrance?

 

[Juspassinthru]

Will you be staying at the monastery in Sarrance?

Yes

 

[JerryStroebele]

Have good tread on your trail runners or boots. Some of the trail along the river is eroding and you don't want to slide down into the river. Have a flashlight or fully charged smartphone for the tunnel. Take some bug dope. In October both mosquitos and gnats were bothersome in France. Plan to stay at Arres Albergue. Enjoy the monastery at Sarrance, the municipal albergue in Jaca and yes, the Elias Valina albergue in Canfranc Pueblo. Buen Camino

 

[andycohn]

There's updated information on the landslide on the post I referenced above (#13):

Here's what the poster wrote:

"Hello Andycohn,
Please note that this event has nothing to do with the construction site between Borce and Urdos, the latter is paused this winter and while a Bearded Vulture nests, possible resumption around early May.

So for now, it’s the N134 road (with traffic) from Accous to Urdos, or the bus.

I will try to give you information as soon as I have it on both events.

Be careful if you are staying at the Borce hostel and taking the bus, remember to get off at the Etsaut stop to take the path that will lead you to Borce.

To finish the Arles route in the Vallée Aspe (Escot - Col du Somport), there remains a mountain path with all the difficulties that come with it (passage on the narrow N134 road, narrow path with passages where you need to be careful, ...)."



Given the situation, it probably makes most sense to walk from Sarrance (where most people will be staying at the monastery) to Accous, and then take the bus to Urdos, where there's a good gite communale (municipal albergue) and an inexpensive hotel. This is probably preferable to getting off the bus at Etsaut and crossing over the river and the main highway -- with its own heavy construction -- to get to Borce. Staying at Urdos will also save you a few kilometers on the steep climb the next day to the pass. Note that the (one and only) albergue at the pass didn't open until May 18 last year, and none of the hotels in nearby Candanchu were open, so once you get to the pass you face seven steep and rugged downhill kilometers into Canfranc Estacion, and then four more kilometers to the great albergue at Canfranc Pueblo.

 

[Juspassinthru]

There's updated information on the landslide on the post I referenced above (#13):

Here's what the poster wrote:

"Hello Andycohn,
Please note that this event has nothing to do with the construction site between Borce and Urdos, the latter is paused this winter and while a Bearded Vulture nests, possible resumption around early May.

So for now, it’s the N134 road (with traffic) from Accous to Urdos, or the bus.

I will try to give you information as soon as I have it on both events.

Be careful if you are staying at the Borce hostel and taking the bus, remember to get off at the Etsaut stop to take the path that will lead you to Borce.

To finish the Arles route in the Vallée Aspe (Escot - Col du Somport), there remains a mountain path with all the difficulties that come with it (passage on the narrow N134 road, narrow path with passages where you need to be careful, ...)."



Given the situation, it probably makes most sense to walk from Sarrance (where most people will be staying at the monastery) to Accous, and then take the bus to Urdos, where there's a good gite communale (municipal albergue) and an inexpensive hotel. This is probably preferable to getting off the bus at Etsaut and crossing over the river and the main highway -- with its own heavy construction -- to get to Borce. Staying at Urdos will also save you a few kilometers on the steep climb the next day to the pass. Note that the (one and only) albergue at the pass didn't open until May 18 last year, and none of the hotels in nearby Candanchu were open, so once you get to the pass you face seven steep and rugged downhill kilometers into Canfranc Estacion.

Thank you, all good info.

 

[Vacajoe]

There's updated information on the landslide on the post I referenced above (#13):

Here's what the poster wrote:

"Hello Andycohn,
Please note that this event has nothing to do with the construction site between Borce and Urdos, the latter is paused this winter and while a Bearded Vulture nests, possible resumption around early May.

So for now, it’s the N134 road (with traffic) from Accous to Urdos, or the bus.

I will try to give you information as soon as I have it on both events.

Be careful if you are staying at the Borce hostel and taking the bus, remember to get off at the Etsaut stop to take the path that will lead you to Borce.

To finish the Arles route in the Vallée Aspe (Escot - Col du Somport), there remains a mountain path with all the difficulties that come with it (passage on the narrow N134 road, narrow path with passages where you need to be careful, ...)."



Given the situation, it probably makes most sense to walk from Sarrance (where most people will be staying at the monastery) to Accous, and then take the bus to Urdos, where there's a good gite communale (municipal albergue) and an inexpensive hotel. This is probably preferable to getting off the bus at Etsaut and crossing over the river and the main highway -- with its own heavy construction -- to get to Borce. Staying at Urdos will also save you a few kilometers on the steep climb the next day to the pass. Note that the (one and only) albergue at the pass didn't open until May 18 last year, and none of the hotels in nearby Candanchu were open, so once you get to the pass you face seven steep and rugged downhill kilometers into Canfranc Estacion.

Another hour takes you to Canfranc Pueblo and the donativo there. I’d eat in Estacion, but sleep in Pueblo! OP planned to stay in Villanua, but I prefer the Elias donativo in tiny Pueblo.

 

[Beeman]

I will, we've found it difficult to find Pilgrims accommodations between OSM and the Pass. There are few dedicated Pilgrim Hostels, one in Borce doesn't open until May. Most of the other hostels are booked with skiers. I'll try to post some updates as we go.

What about the the the Gite in Sarrance. Is it open all year?

 

[Juspassinthru]

What about the the the Gite in Sarrance. Is it open all year?

Yes, the monastery is open year round, I contacted them via email and they will accept reservations. 10€ for a bed, 10€ for dinner and 5€ for breakfast.

 

[trecile]

What about the the the Gite in Sarrance. Is it open all year?

According to Gronze it is open year round. Here is their website

Prieuré de Sarrance » Pèlerins

 

[andycohn]

Btw, with respect to the monastery at Sarrance, they also have private rooms. It was about 15 euros more. They don't seem to advertise them in any way -- it's not even mentioned on their website -- but you can simply ask for one when you show up.

 

[AnnieGoldCoast]

A friend and I will be starting our Camino in OSM on April 1st and plan to be in Santiago on May 15th. Anyone on the Aragónes during that time? Expect to be in Jaca on the 5th depending on weather in the Somport Pass.

We walked from Arles to OSM last year in early April. From OSM we walked to Lourdes. We have walked many of the pilgrim routes and the three days we spent walking from OSM to Lourdes was absolutely beautiful and so peaceful.

 

[howardd5]

A friend and I will be starting our Camino in OSM on April 1st and plan to be in Santiago on May 15th. Anyone on the Aragónes during that time? Expect to be in Jaca on the 5th depending on weather in the Somport Pass.

That is my favorite Camino , rural , scenic and less traffic

 

[andycohn]

Yet another follow-up on the landslide and the route between Accous and Borce / Urdos. I just put 2 + 2 together and figured out that Eric, who initiated the post about the landslide (see my post #13, above), is the manager of the gite communale (muncipal albergue) in Urdos. He is really a treasure and when we walked last year he sent a message to all pilgrims about the ongoing road construction and how to avoid it. In France, you generally need to alert places a day or two in advance of your arrival, and if you do so, i'm sure Eric will update you about current conditions. Here's the email address of the gite: lecompostelle.urdos@live.fr.

My wife and I were also quite happy staying at the gite.