Somport

[Jeff Mayor]

Any advise or observations about starting by walking from Somport to Oloron St. Marie on the Arles route in reverse would be much appreciated.

 

[Flog]

Well, you would have an easy start of it as you head off downhill! It's marked in both directions with red and white GR signage, so you shouldn't have too much of a problem with finding your way. One issue you might come up against though, is with pilgrim accomodation as you'd be walking away from Santiago. The monks in Sarrance in particular might take a bit of convincing. It's an amazing place to stay, it would be a shame to miss out..

 

[Jeff Mayor]

Well, you would have an easy start of it as you head off downhill! It's marked in both directions with red and white GR signage, so you shouldn't have too much of a problem with finding your way. One issue you might come up against though, is with pilgrim accomodation as you'd be walking away from Santiago. The monks in Sarrance in particular might take a bit of convincing. It's an amazing place to stay, it would be a shame to miss out..

Thanks for the info about the signage going down the mountain, that is my biggest concern.
Buen Camino!

 

[Flog]

Might be no harm downloading an offline map such as maps.me for peace of mind anyway. Watch out just beyond Urdos (assuming the diversion off the N134 is still in place when you walk). You will have to cross the elevated iron bridge and go through the railway tunnel.. it may not be marked in reverse!

 

[trecile]

Might be no harm downloading an offline map such as maps.me for peace of mind anyway.

I used the Gronze map app when walking from Oloron-Sainte-Marie. You can follow it in either direction.

Gronze Maps | Camino de Santiago | Gronze.com

Gronze Maps es la App de Gronze.com para usar en ruta (on the road). Muestra los tracks y alojamientos en el mapa y la ubicación del usuario en tiempo real. Contiene toda la información actualizada sobre los servicios y alojamientos en conexión con Gronze.com. Funciona en cualquier dispositivo...

www.gronze.com

 

[andycohn]

I used the Gronze map app when walking from Oloron-Sainte-Marie. You can follow it in either direction.

Gronze Maps | Camino de Santiago | Gronze.com

Gronze Maps es la App de Gronze.com para usar en ruta (on the road). Muestra los tracks y alojamientos en el mapa y la ubicación del usuario en tiempo real. Contiene toda la información actualizada sobre los servicios y alojamientos en conexión con Gronze.com. Funciona en cualquier dispositivo...

www.gronze.com

Terri: My understanding is that you can't download the maps on the Gronze app for use when you're offline. Am I missing something? I use mapy.cz all the time, as I know you do, too. It worked fine for me when I walked from OSM to Somport (and beyond) last year. The route was right there -- easy to see -- and if you download the region you're in, it works fine when you're offline.

 

[trecile]

Terri: My understanding is that you can't download the maps on the Gronze app for use when you're offline. Am I missing something? I use mapy.cz all the time, as I know you do, too. It worked fine for me when I walked from OSM to Somport (and beyond) last year. The route was right there -- easy to see -- and if you download the region you're in, it works fine when you're offline.

That's correct, Gronze maps only works with an internet connection. I had a data connection the whole time.
If that's not possible, then I would use mapy.cz after I downloaded the region.

 

[Flog]

Map.me is a good offline map too.

 

[JerryStroebele]

Like Flog says, the GR is well marked in both directions. And yes, try to stay in the Sarrance monastery. I bet you can. Have footwear with a good lug sole. The route along the river is eroding in some very steep areas and you don't want to slide down into the river. Have a small flashlight or fully charged smartphone with light for the tunnel. Enjoy the wonderful villages. If you arrive in Oloron St. Marie on a Sunday the restaurants will likely be closed but the take out pizza will be open -- and delicious. Bon Chemin