Comparing two climbs ~ Spiritual Variante to Armentiera vs Camino Frances to Orisson.

[TreshaA2]

Hello! Am wonder if anyone has done both the climb to Armentiera and also the climb to Orrison and can please compare and contrast them? I have done the climb to Armentiera three times and am now considering doing the Frances starting in St. Jean. Thanks so much !!!

 

[auburnfive]

I found the climb to Orrison to be tougher, but after 4 weeks of walking was in better condition by the time we got to Armentiera .

 

[Antonius Vaessen]

I agree that the climb to Orisson was harder

 

[feenzo]

Orisson for me

 

[Maurice Frank]

I also agree the climb to Orisson is steeper - but it is shorter. I used the Gaia GPS hiking app to track both of my Caminos (Frances in 2023, Portuguese in 2024).

Orisson is about 7.5 km /4.6 miles from St. Jean according to the Wise Pilgrim app; for me Gaia GPS recorded 4.65 miles and an elevation gain for about 2050 feet - but the last two miles was significantly steeper than the previous section.

My walk from Pontevedra to Armenteria was a bit over 14 miles and Gaia GPS recorded an elevation gain of about 1800 feet - less than the shorter trek to Orisson. Again, the second half of that, the last 7 miles, was steeper than the first section.

My point is Orisson will be a steeper walk, especially the last half, but it is not as long.

Be aware that different apps report elevation gain differently, often by significant amounts, so using the same app for two walks provides some comparability, it will not match a different app.

That said, you can make any climb easier by training for elevation gain before you leave. If you do not live near hills or mountains, you can try using a Stair Stepping machine in a gym or elsewhere. It will help, but it's not the same because you are not actually changing elevation and fighting gravity. You will improve your leg strength.

Remember too that Orisson is a much shorter walk than the next day up to the peak then down steeply to Roncessvalles. Train for elevation loss too.

One last point: rest when you feel you need to. No shame.

Buen Camino

 

[FLEUR]

Orisson shorter but definitely steeper. Armenteira was ok especially as we started that from Combarro.

 

[jpcnd78]

Hello! Am wonder if anyone has done both the climb to Armentiera and also the climb to Orrison and can please compare and contrast them? I have done the climb to Armentiera three times and am now considering doing the Frances starting in St. Jean. Thanks so much !!!

I did Francis last year and Armentiera this year. Francis to Orrison much harder ( for me anyway)

 

[Jami Gray]

Hello! Am wonder if anyone has done both the climb to Armentiera and also the climb to Orrison and can please compare and contrast them? I have done the climb to Armentiera three times and am now considering doing the Frances starting in St. Jean. Thanks so much !!!

For me, I think what made the SJPP —> Orison climb harder was not only its steepness, but also the fact that it was my first day. With all the nervousness, unknowns, and sheer work involved, it seemed extremely difficult. If I had faced it at the end of either Camino, it would have been an entirely different experience (physically) I’m sure. But I do think it is a very awe-inspiring stretch, and I would do it over and over if possible.

 

[Scott Fraser]

I agree with those who say Orison is harder. The day from Orison to Roncesvalle is more similar to the climb to Armentiera. The fact that the two days at the start of the Frances are back-to-back adds to the challenge as does the fact that they are the first two days. All are very doable but take it easy. Book ahead so you aren’t in a rush.

 

[TreshaA2]

I also agree the climb to Orisson is steeper - but it is shorter. I used the Gaia GPS hiking app to track both of my Caminos (Frances in 2023, Portuguese in 2024).

Orisson is about 7.5 km /4.6 miles from St. Jean according to the Wise Pilgrim app; for me Gaia GPS recorded 4.65 miles and an elevation gain for about 2050 feet - but the last two miles was significantly steeper than the previous section.

My walk from Pontevedra to Armenteria was a bit over 14 miles and Gaia GPS recorded an elevation gain of about 1800 feet - less than the shorter trek to Orisson. Again, the second half of that, the last 7 miles, was steeper than the first section.

My point is Orisson will be a steeper walk, especially the last half, but it is not as long.

Be aware that different apps report elevation gain differently, often by significant amounts, so using the same app for two walks provides some comparability, it will not match a different app.

That said, you can make any climb easier by training for elevation gain before you leave. If you do not live near hills or mountains, you can try using a Stair Stepping machine in a gym or elsewhere. It will help, but it's not the same because you are not actually changing elevation and fighting gravity. You will improve your leg strength.

Remember too that Orisson is a much shorter walk than the next day up to the peak then down steeply to Roncessvalles. Train for elevation loss too.

One last point: rest when you feel you need to. No shame.

Buen Camino

Thanks for the numbers, that helps ALOT!! Yes, I was planning on splitting the distance to Roncessvalles into two days. FIrst day, walk to Orisson and either stay there or taxi back to St. Jean.. and next day complete the UP and continue down to Roncessvalles. Best to ease into it!

 

[Bernard000]

I went over the Pyrénées in 2019, the first day was SJPP to Orisson.
In 2022, I did the PT (round trip), the spiritual variant both ways. Weirdly, the time walking back was harder, because I was from Arousa to Combarro, so for the last 2 hours downhill, I was already beat from walking around 22ish kms.
I'd say Orisson is steeper, I see others have already weighed in.

 

[Vacajoe]

It’s funny, because we struggled climbing to Armenteira! However, I think that was mostly the result of it being at the end of a long day of walking. Orisson was steep, but so short that we didn’t have time to feel worn out.

 

[auburnfive]

You might want to consider staying at Borda, just a km past Orisson. It’s a great place, make sure to book well ahead, it fills up quickly

 

[trecile]

You might want to consider staying at Borda, just a km past Orisson. It’s a great place, make sure to book well ahead, it fills up quickly

Yes, both Borda and Orisson book up quickly.

 

[Steven Dwyer]

Just walked to Armenteira last week and found it harder. Could be that I was 20 years younger last time I trekked up to Orisson, plus, I tackled Orission having just come over Somport.

On a serious note, Armenteira is made easier be cause your body has time to adjust to the rigors of walking before you get there. Think seriously about investing some time finding a place to train for the climb, even if it is just taking the stairs every chance you get.

 

[TeamGregamy]

Hello! Am wonder if anyone has done both the climb to Armentiera and also the climb to Orrison and can please compare and contrast them? I have done the climb to Armentiera three times and am now considering doing the Frances starting in St. Jean. Thanks so much !!!

Have done both these just over a year apart - (but was in a different state of health in Camino France - recovering from bronchitis & undiagnosed hypothyroidism!!) along with hotter than usual weather, so that totally clouds the compare & contrast!
Portuguese -perfect walking weather, felt fit & healthy & as already walked for more than a week- seemed yes steep but easy.
The climb to ORRISON is steeper , and at beginning of trip. Other than that- if you have walked Armentiera 3 times you will find walking to Orrison perfectly achievable.

 

[TeamGregamy]

It’s funny, because we struggled climbing to Armenteira! However, I think that was mostly the result of it being at the end of a long day of walking. Orisson was steep, but so short that we didn’t have time to feel worn out.

We stayed the night at Combarro; yes- all in one day would have been tiring with the climb at the end.

 

[Pelegrin]

Just walked to Armenteira last week and found it harder. Could be that I was 20 years younger last time I trekked up to Orisson, plus, I tackled Orission having just come over Somport.

On a serious note, Armenteira is made easier be cause your body has time to adjust to the rigors of walking before you get there. Think seriously about investing some time finding a place to train for the climb, even if it is just taking the stairs every chance you get.

Armenteira. Well done.

 

[PedrodeWalker]

My apologies for this, I tried so hard to resist.

I chatted to my father after getting to Roncessvalles in 2016.

He told me he was confident I would get over the Pyrénées as I had a great Pair of Knees!!

He said it to me, just before I was going to say it to him

I am sure others have shown pride in their dad status by telling this pun before!