3.august 2009 arriving SJPDP at 09:37

Evelyn, if I were you, I would do one of two things:

I would either make arrangements to spend the first night in SJPP There are wonderful sights to see there, including the Prison of the Bishops, the Citadelle, and the Notre Dame du Bout du Pont (Church of Our Lady by the Bridge End). You can get a good night's rest and start out early next morning, perhaps connecting with a few pilgrims the first night... If it is not full, may I suggest you stay at L'Esprit du Chemin (0559-372-468). I'm sure there are other nice places also, but I especially love L'Esprit. It is in the middle of town, the food is awesome, and the people who run it are very supportive and nice...

OR

I would make reservations NOW to stay at the Huntto Gite (0559-371-117) or the Auberge Orisson (0681-497965) both of which are shorter walks. That way you can at least begin, but not kill yourself the first day, which is considered by many, me included, to be "Hell Day!"

I would give SJP a day. I got there around 6 pm, went to L'Espirit, then left the next morning. I didn't get to see much of it, or even just sit down to think "OMG, what am I about to do?" If you still feel like you have to walk that day, make a reservation at Orisson or Hunto. The walk from SJP to Roncesvalles can take up to 12 hours.

Kelly

I agree with Annie's second suggestion. Arriving at 9:30 gives you plenty of time go to the Pilgrim Office, see the sights, have lunch and still have plenty of time to walk up to Orisson. I made it in just over 2 hours but I pushed it too hard. From there it should not take more than 4 hours or so to get to Roncesvalles. Be sure to make a reservation at Orisson as soon as you know your schedule.

jeff001 said:

I agree with Annie's second suggestion. Arriving at 9:30 gives you plenty of time go to the Pilgrim Office, see the sights, have lunch and still have plenty of time to walk up to Orisson. I made it in just over 2 hours but I pushed it too hard. From there it should not take more than 4 hours or so to get to Roncesvalles. Be sure to make a reservation at Orisson as soon as you know your schedule.

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Yes, I agree that a 9.30am arrival would give you plenty of time to check in at the Pilgrim Office, have a look around in SJPP, have lunch, and then head off to Orisson or Huntto, if that is what you want to do. But your times for the walk were quite fast Jeff. I think I took closer to three hours to get to Orisson - mind you I stopped to watch the eagles soaring along the way. Then it perhaps took me four and a half hours to get to Roncesvalles next day after an overnight stop in Orisson. I am not the fastest of walkers and many people were passing me, but I was quite fit by then, having been walking for weeks already. I have read somewhere, I think in CSJ info, that it does take some people up to 12 hours to get from SJPP to Roncesvalles. I can't find where I read it though!! But I think many people need to allow more than four hours to get from Orisson to Roncesvalles.
Margaret

Yes the introduction to the CSJ Guide to the Camino Frances advises inexperienced walkers to plan for 12 hours on the route Napoleon. Margaret seems to have walked in around 7.5 hours. I walked that route in 7 hours. Evelin, you are in training. You could do this in one day even starting late morning as it remains light in the evening at this time of year. But as others have said, why rush to get started? I'd have a day in StJdPP, an early night, large breakfast and then set off as early as possible to enjoy the coolness of the morning.

Buen Camino

John