Pyrenees?

J.Patrick · Nov 6, 2016

I'm finding conflicting info on the internet:

Is the high path from Irun to San Sebastián / Donastia in the Pyrenees? some other range? I'd like to accurately tell my brother what my plan is as I encourage him to join me next August. Thanks in advance.

SYates · Nov 6, 2016

J.Patrick said:
I'm finding conflicting info on the internet:

Is the high path from Irun to San Sebastián / Donastia in the Pyrenees? some other range? I'd like to accurately tell my brother what my plan is as I encourage him to join me next August. Thanks in advance.

I am not sure what you mean by 'high path from Irun to San Sebastián / Donastia'? But no, the Pyrenees proper (what could be considered their foothills might be up to discussion) don't reach that coast, sorry. Buen Camino SY

Smallest_Sparrow · Nov 6, 2016

J.Patrick said:
I'm finding conflicting info on the internet:

Is the high path from Irun to San Sebastián / Donastia in the Pyrenees? some other range? I'd like to accurately tell my brother what my plan is as I encourage him to join me next August. Thanks in advance.

I would guess it might be considered the foothills of the Montes Vascos, though I couldn't say for sure not foothills of the Pyrenees. While not nearly as high (since you are walking near the coast) what makes the Norte hills challenging is the steep nature, and the frequent ups and downs, imo.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/5e/86/7c/5e867c875f4759170860b2c1e1e8e8c5.jpg

J.Patrick · Nov 6, 2016

Smallest_Sparrow said:
I would guess it might be considered the foothills of the Montes Vascos, though I couldn't say for sure not foothills of the Pyrenees.

Thank you, SYates and Smallest Sparrow, and it's here that things get vague. I know that Wikipedia isn't always accurate, but in their entry on Montes Vascos we get this: "The Basque Mountains (of which Montes Vascos is a part, apparently) are a transitional range between two major ones, the Cantabrian range to the west and the Pyreneesto the east. Geologists call the area "The Basque threshold" and some consider that the Cantabrian Mountains and the Pyrenees are a single greater range and the Basque Mountains are just part of both.[http://www.euskadi.net/cgi-bin_k54/ver_e?CMD=VERDOC&BASE=B03D&DOCN=000082437&CONF=/config/k54/bopv_e.cnf]

Smallest_Sparrow · Nov 6, 2016

J.Patrick said:
Thank you, SYates and Smallest Sparrow, and it's here that things get vague. I know that Wikipedia isn't always accurate, but in their entry on Montes Vascos we get this: "The Basque Mountains (of which Montes Vascos is a part, apparently) are a transitional range between two major ones, the Cantabrian range to the west and the Pyreneesto the east. Geologists call the area "The Basque threshold" and some consider that the Cantabrian Mountains and the Pyrenees are a single greater range and the Basque Mountains are just part of both.[http://www.euskadi.net/cgi-bin_k54/ver_e?CMD=VERDOC&BASE=B03D&DOCN=000082437&CONF=/config/k54/bopv_e.cnf]

that's why I said it would be tough to call what range to say, but I think altitude wise it feels more foothill and less mountain to me...but I am not anything like an expert in the subject...

Smallest_Sparrow · Nov 6, 2016

In case I am misunderstood, I am not making light of the climbing involved in walking the Norte, especially the first step. Since the Norte hugs the coast for quite a bit, your starting, ending, and highest points will usually be below 600m, often 300m--so not rising to the usual cut off of over 600m for a mountain. But compared to many other routes, there is a lot of up and down, often a very steep up and a pretty steep down, over and over for the whole step. Other routes might have true mountains in them, but they are not one right after another, nor is the incline angle so great. I think many when describing the Norte mention how many hills there are...the workout is a notable feature of the route...more pleasant notable features are the woods, beaches, food, history, and art/architecture I really enjoyed the norte

SYates · Nov 7, 2016

Just sell it to him as " we are starting at the foot hills of the Pyrenees" ;-) BC SY

Smallest_Sparrow · Nov 7, 2016

SYates said:
Just sell it to him as " we are starting at the foot hills of the Pyrenees" ;-) BC SY

unless that is the problem, then sell it as no where near

seriously, Frances walkers have been known to 'put-down' the Norte as too much an athletic endeavor, just print out some of those threads and pictures of the beaches. Tell him San Sebastian has more Michelin star restaurants (density wise) than anywhere else in Spain...how can anyone not love the Norte...did I mention beaches? and horses that follow you through the forest? and the Bufones?

edit: I see you are from Camarillo. Imagine climbing up and then back down the Conejo grade, or the Cuesta grade a few times in a day...doesn't have to be a mountain to give you a workout. And the incline in some places on the norte I"m pretty sure were worse than either the Conejo or Cuestra grades.

J.Patrick · Nov 7, 2016

My brother's an avid hiker with love for the exotic, so "foothills of the Pyrenees" it is. Thanks for the insights!

Smallest_Sparrow · Nov 7, 2016

J.Patrick said:
My brother's an avid hiker with love for the exotic, so "foothills of the Pyrenees" it is. Thanks for the insights!

I read on another thread you are considering turning off to the CTSNBN (Caminot that shall not be named)...if you can get your brother to stick with you there, then you can check the mountain square for sure. I loved the Norte (but the other one just a bit more....shhhh, keep the secret)
that combo really gives you the best of all things....from beaches to bears!

J.Patrick · Nov 8, 2016

Smallest_Sparrow said:
I read on another thread you are considering turning off to the CTSNBN (Caminot that shall not be named)...if you can get your brother to stick with you there, then you can check the mountain square for sure. I loved the Norte (but the other one just a bit more....shhhh, keep the secret)
that combo really gives you the best of all things....from beaches to bears!

The rich enthusiasm people have for the various different ways leads me to want to do them all. My life in the parish puts that beyond my reach, but the encouragement from those of you who have done the CTSNBN really encourages me. I'll pass on your thoughts to my brother. Thank you!

Jo114 · Nov 12, 2016

Smallest_Sparrow said:
In case I am misunderstood, I am not making light of the climbing involved in walking the Norte, especially the first step. Since the Norte hugs the coast for quite a bit, your starting, ending, and highest points will usually be below 600m, often 300m--so not rising to the usual cut off of over 600m for a mountain. But compared to many other routes, there is a lot of up and down, often a very steep up and a pretty steep down, over and over for the whole step. Other routes might have true mountains in them, but they are not one right after another, nor is the incline angle so great. I think many when describing the Norte mention how many hills there are...the workout is a notable feature of the route...more pleasant notable features are the woods, beaches, food, history, and art/architecture I really enjoyed the norte

Hi Smallest Sparrow. I completed the CF this year and am planning on doing the Del Norte around June 2017. The information you have provided above is of a practical nature and is very informative. A lot of information in one paragraph. There are many aspects of walking a camino eg, the weather, the facilities along the way, the comradeship, the emotional aspect etc, all which are very important. But sometimes pilgrims just want some straight out down to earth advice about what to expect when they put their pack on and get walking each day and the advice you have provided is very helpful. Thanks.

Kanga · Nov 13, 2016

@J.Patrick the section between Irun and San Sebastian is definitely not the foothills of the Pyrenees. There are two paths from Irun to Donastia - the "alpista route" or the lower route. Take the "alpista" route which goes straight up the hill immediately after the Santuario de Guadalupe. It is very beautiful, and the first town, San Juan, is in a fjord like setting, clinging to the steep sides. We had not started walking from Irun until about 2 in the afternoon, so we stopped at San Juan and were very glad we did - it is an extraordinary little town split by the inlet from the sea, and the ferry is the means by which everyone does their day to day business.

We though the Norte was spectacular.

It is worthwhile reading through the threads in the forum gathered together in the Norte section.

Jacobus · Nov 15, 2016

Kanga said:
@J.Patrick the section between Irun and San Sebastian is definitely not the foothills of the Pyrenees. There are two paths from Irun to Donastia - the "alpista route" or the lower route. Take the "alpista" route which goes straight up the hill immediately after the Santuario de Guadalupe. It is very beautiful, and the first town, San Juan, is in a fjord like setting, clinging to the steep sides. We had not started walking from Irun until about 2 in the afternoon, so we stopped at San Juan and were very glad we did - it is an extraordinary little town split by the inlet from the sea, and the ferry is the means by which everyone does their day to day business.

We though the Norte was spectacular.

It is worthwhile reading through the threads in the forum gathered together in the Norte section.

This place is also known as Pasajes. There is a humble albergue on the near side of the downslope in town. It is located in an old church and was also part of my first day on the Norte. I too had a late start having left from the bus station in Irun at about 1:00 pm.
BTW the first flècha was on the sidewalk as I stepped off the bus. I wore the smile that flecha produced for the rest of the day!
Jim

Clay7011 · Tuesday at 4:30 PM

Planning on walking Norte-Primitivo starting about June 10, 2025. Are the albergues very busy at that time and also what will the weather be? I did this the end of August and September of 2017 and...

Pyrenees?

J.Patrick

Veteran member from Camarillo, California

SYates

Camino Fossil AD 1999, now living in Santiago de C

Smallest_Sparrow

Life is rarely what you expect or believe it to be

J.Patrick

Veteran member from Camarillo, California

Smallest_Sparrow

Life is rarely what you expect or believe it to be

Smallest_Sparrow

Life is rarely what you expect or believe it to be

SYates

Camino Fossil AD 1999, now living in Santiago de C

Smallest_Sparrow

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J.Patrick

Veteran member from Camarillo, California

Smallest_Sparrow

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J.Patrick

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Jo114

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