LIVE from the Camino Finally on the way.

[DenWhite]

But only a short way to Valcarlos to ease in for the first day. Very scenic and quiet route. The ups are up there and some of the downs to be respected but not as with Napoleon at a guess having not experienced it. A further bonus is lots of shade. Expecting a bit more of a challenge tomorrow to Burguette.

 

[C clearly]

Good to hear that you are on your way!

to be respected but not as with Napoleon at a guess having not experienced it

I haven't walked through Valcarlos, but I fully expect that it is to be respected just as much as the Napoleon. It just doesn't have the fame! Within a day, it will all blend into the overall experience.

 

[trecile]

It looks lovely, and how nice to have an actual village to walk to on your first day.

Were there very many other pilgrims on the Valcarlos route?

 

[VNwalking]

Expecting a bit more of a challenge tomorrow to Burguette.

Enjoy, @DenWhite! When you go off the road onto the path, it does get pretty steep. but then not so bad.

 

[Robo]

What a wonderful start @DenWhite ! Buen Camino

 

[mspath]

DenWhite,

Take it easy as you walk through the pass.
There are no shops nor potabile water after Valcarlos until Roncesvalles; be prepared. Carry water and snacks.
Good luck and Buen camino!

 

[DenWhite]

Good to hear that you are on your way!

I haven't walked through Valcarlos, but I fully expect that it is to be respected just as much as the Napoleon. It just doesn't have the fame! Within a day, it will all blend into the overall experience.

It looks lovely, and how nice to have an actual village to walk to on your first day.

Were there very many other pilgrims on the Valcarlos route?

None that we saw and in Roncesvalles now for lunch and none from Valcarlos to here. Sections over the last 5 kms were the hardest hiking I've encountered.

 

[mspath]

None that we saw and in Roncesvalles now for lunch and none from Valcarlos to here. Sections over the last 5 kms were the hardest hiking I've encountered.

Glad to read that you have made it to Roncesvalles! Those last 5 km are indeed dreadful. Enjoy going down to Burguete. Carpe diem!

 

[DenWhite]

Glad to read that you have made it to Roncesvalles! Those last 5 km are indeed dreadful. Enjoy going down to Burguete. Carpe diem!

We did and having a coffee at Hemingways-Hostal Burguette. Cheers

 

[Gavala]

Watching this one so thanks for posting Den.
I see you have a camera. Will you be posting pictures often?

 

[Teej41]

Watching this one so thanks for posting Den.
I see you have a camera. Will you be posting pictures often?

I hope the rest of the Camino goes as well for you as this first day has been. That 'early bird' start quite clearly did the trick.

 

[DenWhite]

Watching this one so thanks for posting Den.
I see you have a camera. Will you be

posting pictures often?

Will post a few random but will do a blog every 6-7 days and will post the blog link for access. Our Leon to SDC in 2018 will also be there.

 

[NYSE]

But only a short way to Valcarlos to ease in for the first day. Very scenic and quiet route. The ups are up there and some of the downs to be respected but not as with Napoleon at a guess having not experienced it. A further bonus is lots of shade. Expecting a bit more of a challenge tomorrow to Burguette.

 

[norfolk-keith]

But only a short way to Valcarlos to ease in for the first day. Very scenic and quiet route. The ups are up there and some of the downs to be respected but not as with Napoleon at a guess having not experienced it. A further bonus is lots of shade. Expecting a bit more of a challenge tomorrow to Burguette.

Hi Den I did the Val Carlos last year having walked the traditional route the three times before and believe me I found it harder and far less enjoyable. The route is tarmac the whole way to roncevalles walking on the side of the road with cars and trucks whizzing past you and there is no respite at all. There is a short cut at road marker 58 which I ventured down what a huge mistake all the water run offs from the hills made the track so muddy and the surface is mostly loose stone and slate so after about a kilometre I turned around and came back to the main road, please do not try it it’s an awful route and hundreds of mosquitoes, take lots of water. The road is so steep even the cyclists get off their bikes and walk. Keith from Norfolk Buen Camino

 

[DenWhite]

The off road tracks after Valcarlos were quite OK, no wet feet or mud. We had 2 sections of highway of a few K’s and another 100 m or so when we turned off for the hard slog up to the car park. The road was OK traffic wise and the scenery off road made it all worth while. I can understand your experience forming a negative opinion. All tarmac would be no fun.

 

[VNwalking]

The route is tarmac the whole way to roncevalles walking on the side of the road with cars and trucks whizzing past you and there is no respite at all.

That would be unpleasant, but actually it's not, unless you missed the turn-off above Gainekoleta.
Zoom in on this map and you'll see the location of the fork. It upper part of the walk is mostly off the road.
After the steepest climb, the Camino meets the road very briefly and then leaves it again, coming out at Ibaneta. From there, the path through the forest takes you down to Roncesvalles.
It's a gorgeous walk.

 

[Lexicos]

In summary: I hear what you’re saying fellow pilgrims but come my turn in Sep I’m keeping to the Napoleon route. Did it once and it sticks in my mind as one of the best parts of the Camino. Having said that, respect to you Den for making a good start and for keeping us in the loop. Go joyfully the rest of the Way. I’ll be just under 10 days behind you, if all goes to plan.

 

[DenWhite]

A little snippet, Valcalos to Roncesvalles.

In summary: I hear what you’re saying fellow pilgrims but come my turn in Sep I’m keeping to the Napoleon route. Did it once and it sticks in my mind as one of the best parts of the Camino. Having said that, respect to you Den for making a good start and for keeping us in the loop. Go joyfully the rest of the Way. I’ll be just under 10 days behind you, if all goes to plan.

Watching this one so thanks for posting Den.
I see you have a camera. Will you be posting pictures often?

Leaving Burguete morning of Monday Agosto 22

 

[Barry Coltham]

Well done and thank you for your post Den - we (Julie and I) are starting on Monday 29th from SJPP and have been considering the same route via Valcarlos - your second day feedback will be interesting - Buen Camino

 

[DenWhite]

Well done and thank you for your post Den - we (Julie and I) are starting on Monday 29th from SJPP and have been considering the same route via Valcarlos - your second day feedback will be interesting - Buen Camino

Good luck. The shade and scenery are worth the effort. Buen camino

 

[DenWhite]

Photo snap update. The past few days.

 

[dougfitz]

Photo snap update. The past few days.

Thank you for sharing. They brought back some wonderful memories.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I have walked the Valcarlos way twice because I loved the variety of terrain and a couple of villages the route offers.

 

[DenWhite]

We, me with my partner Ngaire are making good progress. Departed SJPdP August 20 via Valcarlos and Burgute. Steady stream of peregrinos from Pamplona through to our current location Mansilla de las Mulas. Those who are aware of Ngaire's feet issues not 100% but progressing well. 26.5 ks today in 6.5 hrs so she is doing pretty good and we are not spring chickens. Leon tomorrow where we commenced our 2018 Camino to SdC. Feeling sureal already and looking forward to retracing the magic we felt. All aboard for SdC.

 

[henrythedog]

26k with dodgy feet is not shabby at all. Well done.

 

[OzAnnie]

. Departed SJPdP August 20 - our current location Mansilla de las Mulas. Those who are aware of Ngaire's feet issues not 100% but progressing well. 26.5 ks today in 6.5 hrs so she is doing pretty good and we are not spring chickens. Leon tomorrow where we commenced our 2018 Camino to SdC.

That’s quite an achievement for both of you (or anyone given the weather /heat over that period )
It’s looking quite dry - good to read that your spirits are high and you’ve got Léon to Santiago ahead. Buen camino.

 

[Robertorocha]

Congrats. Good job. I hope you´ll achieve your goal. In 3 weeks I´ll be there doing my camino in a bike. Buen camino.

 

[jalluisi]

We, me with my partner Ngaire are making good progress. Departed SJPdP August 20 via Valcarlos and Burgute. Steady stream of peregrinos from Pamplona through to our current location Mansilla de las Mulas. Those who are aware of Ngaire's feet issues not 100% but progressing well. 26.5 ks today in 6.5 hrs so she is doing pretty good and we are not spring chickens. Leon tomorrow where we commenced our 2018 Camino to SdC. Feeling sureal already and looking forward to retracing the magic we felt. All aboard for SdC.View attachment 132710View attachment 132711View attachment 132713View attachment 132714

Thank you for sharing. Lots the pictures!!

 

[DenWhite]

Posting this from Molinaseca on our 2nd last rest day so have made some real progress with things looking up more each day. Have had lots of memories flood back from Leon as well as knew ones made.

 

[DenWhite]

Here in Barbedelo on our final Rest day. All good and starting to feel the excitement and reluctance of finishing.

 

[DenWhite]

Just an observation. The traffic from Sarria is full on and seems to be added to with tour groups etc after each day up to here, being Palas De Rei. Lots of the local nationality participating, holy year impact maybe?

 

[Telboyo]

Hi Den I did the Val Carlos last year having walked the traditional route the three times before and believe me I found it harder and far less enjoyable. The route is tarmac the whole way to roncevalles walking on the side of the road with cars and trucks whizzing past you and there is no respite at all. There is a short cut at road marker 58 which I ventured down what a huge mistake all the water run offs from the hills made the track so muddy and the surface is mostly loose stone and slate so after about a kilometre I turned around and came back to the main road, please do not try it it’s an awful route and hundreds of mosquitoes, take lots of water. The road is so steep even the cyclists get off their bikes and walk. Keith from Norfolk Buen Camino

Come on keith,Norfolk folk think Holland is Hilly. I agree that last climb through the beech forest is awful

 

[DenWhite]

Just an observation. The traffic from Sarria is full on and seems to be added to with tour groups etc after each day up to here, being Palas De Rei. Lots of the local nationality participating, holy year impact maybe?

Today's the day!

 

[DenWhite]

Arrived on schedule Sept 28. Glad and sorry it is over. We are still processing the ensalada mixta of emotions. Ngaire struggled 80% of the way and limped through the tunnel in tears. Much more intense than our 2018 León to SdC. See what the camino future has in store.