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Is the Napoleon route typically open beginning of April?
- Thread starter bobegg
- Start date
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- Past: a few. Last: Gudbrandsdalsleden. Next: TBC
It might be, but there would be no guarantees it will be. The Pilgrim Office in SJPP can provide advice on the evening before about the conditions on the Route Napoleon.
Have you thought through your options should it be closed? Can you wait a day or two, or do you want to walk that day? If the latter, Route Valcarlos will be open.
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- Past: a few. Last: Gudbrandsdalsleden. Next: TBC
Your call on the day. I have friends who did this because they were determined to walk the Route Napoleon. Both times I have walked the CF there were issues with Route Napoleon, and I walked the Route Valcarlos.
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Too many and too often!
This year the opening of the route was delayed to 4 April because of snow. It could easily have been longer. Weather is not predictable at this distance. If you have a particular date in mind then you will have to be prepared to be flexible about when you start and the Valcarlos option.
naplesdon
Veteran Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Multiple Caminos 2010 to 2019
Several years ago, there were 3 major snowstorms in May. The Napoleon was closed to foot traffic most of the month and the Valcarlos paved road was closed for many days. No one can predict anything from reading the history of the weather in this region. With Global Warming who knows, it might be a sunshiny day in April, otherwise if a major storm has developed in North America about the same time and is headed across the Atlantic, take care.
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Pepper_E
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2019 CF - Fin/Muxia
2021 CP
2022 CF & Invierno
I walked the Napoleon Route last year on April 15 - no problems and beautiful. Both the week before and the week after the route was closed due to snow/weather. Throughout April it’s just a roll of the dice. I’ve been lucky, two April starts and beautiful weather each time.
Trekker One
Active Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- C.F.2014,15,16,19&23, Portuguese'17, Primitivo'18
It has been said that there are 'no guarantees in life' or that 'man plans, god laughs.' Both certainly apply to whether the Napoleon route from St. Jean will be open on a particular day, especially in early April.
It was closed on April 8th in 2016 for my wife and I. Even on the alternate Valcarlos route we ran into heavy snow as we approached Roncesvalles.
Not a big deal since we live in northern Alberta and live with snow six months of the year.
If it turns out the Napoleon route isn't open on your first day, don't get too worked up about it. The alternate route was beautiful and ultimately it is only one day out of many.
Don't think you have been 'short changed' because the weather gods have other plans for you!
It was closed on April 8th in 2016 for my wife and I. Even on the alternate Valcarlos route we ran into heavy snow as we approached Roncesvalles.
Not a big deal since we live in northern Alberta and live with snow six months of the year.
If it turns out the Napoleon route isn't open on your first day, don't get too worked up about it. The alternate route was beautiful and ultimately it is only one day out of many.
Don't think you have been 'short changed' because the weather gods have other plans for you!
Last edited:
- Time of past OR future Camino
- 2017
I cannot improve on the advice provided above. Summarized as:
"It depends. The Valcarlos route has its own charms. The Route Napoleon is NOT superior, it is just different."
Buen Camino!
B
"It depends. The Valcarlos route has its own charms. The Route Napoleon is NOT superior, it is just different."
Buen Camino!
B
The one from Galicia (the round) and the one from Castilla & Leon. Individually numbered and made by the same people that make the ones you see on your walk.
You have captured what I feel about all the routes and variants on the Camino(s).
The first edition came out in 2003 and has become the go-to-guide for many pilgrims over the years. It is shipping with a Pilgrim Passport (Credential) from the cathedral in Santiago de Compostela.
Cindy McGuire
Member
- Time of past OR future Camino
- Starting from St.jean Pied de Port April 24, 2016
Nope.
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