SeattleWoman
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- Time of past OR future Camino
- Planning to walk the Camino in June 2018
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Some can be pretty steep and the ground either loose gravel or slick rock. The worse stretches that I remember or the descent from Alto de Perdon and the one down to Molinaseca. I would normally recommend hiking shoes for these but if you are planning to walk with lighter footwear I wouldn't suggest to change your footwear for the whole camino. Poles aren't necessary but many here recommend them for walking even on the flat parts. Peg and I normally hike in the mountains with one pole apiece but for the camino I gave her mine to use on day two onwards and we were both happy.How steep are the declines on the CF? Are hiking shoes necessary or are tennis shoes ok? Are walking poles necessary?
How steep are the declines on the CF? Are hiking shoes necessary or are tennis shoes ok? Are walking poles necessary?
Thanks!!
Trail runners and tennis shoes, 2 different shoes. trail runners are built like tennis shoes but with much stronger soles, makes a big difference.How steep are the declines on the CF? Are hiking shoes necessary or are tennis shoes ok? Are walking poles necessary?
Thanks!!
I assume you mean athletic shoes in a general way. True tennis shoes do not have the grip that I would recommend for the camino. There are some tricky slopes - steep and loose materials, or steep and rock which can be slippery especially when wet. Furthermore, even city cobblestones can be slippery. So I'd recommend a shoe or boot with good traction/tread.are tennis shoes ok?
Shoes: I did quite well in "Moab Ventilators" last year, and this year, something that cost only €11 at Decathlon.How steep are the declines on the CF? Are hiking shoes necessary or are tennis shoes ok? Are walking poles necessary?
Thanks!!
Worst decline: Alto de Erro into Zubiri. In the rain. Worse even than the descent into Molinaseca, waaay worse than the descent of the Alto de Perdon. Last time through I had to stop and help a lady who simply would not have made it down unaided....
Best shoes: Moab Ventilators, but something from New Balance would probably do just fine. Forget boots.
Sticks: I bought an 'old man's cane' in SJPdeP and it did just fine.
Worst decline: Alto de Erro into Zubiri. In the rain.
Interesting how we are all different. Several here are mentioning the difficult descent into Zubiri. I walked it in 2015 and again just this past spring and I don't remember any extreme difficulty, but then I don't have knee problems...maybe just a little dementia?Oh, Yeah. Even when dry it was something. Caleb and I nicknamed it the Dragon's Teeth.
I too, really enjoyed the descent into Molineseca. True trails, slabs of bluestone, great views and flowering bushes. I also loved the kilometers after Cruz de Ferro as the trail eventually descended into El Acebo. It was another one of my favorite memories with such beautiful views and flower laden bushes in lavendar, pink, white and yellow...stunning!I actually found the descent into Molinaseca quite enjoyable. I would agree that the descent into Zubiri is tough to say the least. I walked it last in 2014 and still remember it vividly.
I usually wear Merrell or Saloman. Make sure the sole gives you good protection.
Sticks or poles are not essential but one is handy to have.
Excellent advice.I used Hoka One One trail runners. They were quite large (men's 10!) but had lots of room in the toe which is important as your feet swell and you are often jamming your toes into the end of the shoe, particularly on those tough descents!
Worst decline: Alto de Erro into Zubiri. In the rain. Worse even than the descent into Molinaseca, waaay worse than the descent of the Alto de Perdon.
I am among many who prefer lightweight trail running shoes. I've walked the Frances twice in these New Balance trail shoes.
I remember that walk into Molinaseca! That was an epic day. Some of the declines are quite steep and rocky...definitely slippery when wet. Many do not wear hiking shoes to walk the Camino. Many also do not use walking poles. If I had to pick one as being more essential than the other I’d say it’s hiking poles. They are hugely beneficial on reducing the wear and tear on your legs...especially your knees on steep declines.Some can be pretty steep and the ground either loose gravel or slick rock. The worse stretches that I remember or the descent from Alto de Perdon and the one down to Molinaseca. I would normally recommend hiking shoes for these but if you are planning to walk with lighter footwear I wouldn't suggest to change your footwear for the whole camino. Poles aren't necessary but many here recommend them for walking even on the flat parts. Peg and I normally hike in the mountains with one pole apiece but for the camino I gave her mine to use on day two onwards and we were both happy.
True, they are slopes of the worst baked-potatoe-size stones with muddust that I have ever seen. What a dragon of a slope !!The only time I cried on Camino, until I got to Santiago, was as my backside hit the deck for the third time in pouring rain on the descent from the Alto Perdon. On the only occasion I ever walked in 'trail shoes' instead of my beloved Brashers.
Each to their own.
Packing them and using them when you think you need them is one thing, but I have to restrain myself from "advising" those I see with one in each hand on level path without getting any value from them (unless a slight tapping sound is value).Walking poles but not all the time, maybe 10%, mostly for up and down hills and in bad weather. Other times they live in my backpack and I carry them without complaint. Would not do a camino without them.
Packing them and using them when you think you need them is one thing, but I have to restrain myself from "advising" those I see with one in each hand on level path without getting any value from them (unless a slight tapping sound is value).
When I use my poles on the flats I am keeping my arms engaged, which helps keep them toned and keeps my hands from swelling. They don't click because I always have rubber tips on them. The poles do go in my pack while walking through cities and villages.Packing them and using them when you think you need them is one thing, but I have to restrain myself from "advising" those I see with one in each hand on level path without getting any value from them (unless a slight tapping sound is value).
That's my point. If all you do is tap the ground with them, they're just extra weight (unless you're blind). But just a little weight on them with the right rhythm, and the ease the burden on your feet and help you balance.I get a lot of value out of my poles on the flat. Depends how you use them
And use those hiking shoes for tennis?...Are hiking shoes necessary or are tennis shoes ok? ...
It's not nearly the distance or the number of meters of descent. But the interesting bits are about the same degree of interesting, or maybe a bit more.Is the route down from Alto de Erro worse that that?
I would definitely recommend that you head over to YouTube and watch some instructional videos on tying your laces. It’s important to pause before declines and retie your laces in order to prevent your foot slipping forward in your boot and injuring or blistering your toes, and you can reconfigure your laces to prevent this slippage.How steep are the declines on the CF? Are hiking shoes necessary or are tennis shoes ok? Are walking poles necessary?
Thanks!!
Walked about the whole CF on Keen Sandals with good grip. Have had no problems whatsoever with any of the descends. It's very personal though, I even did one descend on my flipflops (Reefs with good grip) and passed some people who were wearing boots and were having problems. Could not have done it wihout my poles though, they keep me from falling.How steep are the declines on the CF? Are hiking shoes necessary or are tennis shoes ok? Are walking poles necessary?
Thanks!!
In the fall and spring, mornings have some dew making it a bit slippery. On the Le Puy, Del Norte and Primitivo I'd say about 30% is on steep slopes or stone paths that are slippery especially during the first 2 hours and obviouly lots more when it rains. Good walking poles give you the advantages of propelling you with plain old physics calculations. Go Google that. Virtually all credible hiking forums recommend hiking poles for that reason plus the poles help you stabilize you when the going gets rough. It only takes one event to twist an ankle. The poles also help you "slow down" when descending. Going down slopes is where you develop tendinitis; Google that word also. Two of my hiking friends developed tendinitis and required medical intervention. Go with high end hiking shoes, they are lighter, and weight is everything on long hikes. Again, do the math to lift an extra ounce for at least 30,000 strides per day times about 45 days; the answer is 30,000 × 45 × 1 (ounce or 28 grams) = 1,350,000 ounces or 84,375 pounds or 37,800,000 grams or 37,800 kilos. One ounce can make a big difference at the end of each day. Now try half a pound !! I bet you never thought you were strong enough to carry all those tons on the Compostelle/Camino !!How steep are the declines on the CF? Are hiking shoes necessary or are tennis shoes ok? Are walking poles necessary?
Thanks!!
Concur with Michelle, and the Pilgrim's Office was very clear on this and even highlighted the route on the charts they passed to all the pilgrims, but when I reached that point with my wife I only saw ONE pilgrim taking the "long path on the right" with us. We arrived Roncesvalles well ahead of the bunch that was way ahead of us when we reached the summit [they took the path of the left]. Again, take the RIGHT path. Good luck, que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.Alto Erro and Alto Perdon have been mentioned but the one that killed my shins was the downside of the Pyrenees from Ciz to Roncesvalles. DO NOT TAKE the path to the left. It is like a Double Black Diamond Ski Slope with footing to match. The path to the right is a couple km longer but much easier. It is in the paperwork received in St. Jean from the Pilgrims' Office when purchasing the Credenciel.
Oh dear, now I feel very tempted to take that up as a challenge.........one that killed my shins was the downside of the Pyrenees from Ciz to Roncesvalles. DO NOT TAKE the path to the left. It is like a Double Black Diamond Ski Slope with footing to match.
Camino Frances, between Pamplona and Puente La Reina. Que la luz de Dios alumbre su camino.For the education of an ignoramus, where is Alto de Perdon?
For the education of an ignoramus, where is Alto de Perdon?
It's not nearly the distance or the number of meters of descent. But the interesting bits are about the same degree of interesting, or maybe a bit more.
On the 4th day Mack from StJPP ,
If the average pilgrim try to make it over by three they are on the way home by Puenta la Reina.
I used trail running shoes (Nike Wildhorse III) when I walked May/June 2017. Shoes did great. Good traction/tread and very little wear (Bought them one size larger than normal). I highly recommend trekking poles for the descents to reduce the forces on your knees. I also used an elastic knee brace on my right knee. Several steep, rocky descents (As described by others). It is very important to carefully watch foot placement in these areas to avoid injury.How steep are the declines on the CF? Are hiking shoes necessary or are tennis shoes ok? Are walking poles necessary?
Thanks!!
Please help me here. The link below tells me that the distance from col de Lepoeder to Roncesvalles is 6 k........ the downside of the Pyrenees from Ciz to Roncesvalles.
I'll use trail runners and sandals. It's nice to change footwear during the day sometimes.
Please help me here. The link below tells me that the distance from col de Lepoeder to Roncesvalles is 6 k.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...ps-of-all-34-stages-of-the-camino-frances.12/
This link tells me - correct me if I am wrong - that from col de Lepoeder to Roncesvalles there's a drop in altitude of roughly 500 m. [Scroll down to 'Napoleon Route (Recommended)" first para.]
https://www.caminoadventures.com/camino-frances/st-jean-to-roncesvalles/
There's a decent map on this second link showing the route from SJPP to Roncesvalles. Could someone please tell me where Ciz is located? Thanks very much.
Not sure what your question is. 6k with a drop of 500 m sounds about right.
Never heard of Ciz. Sorry. Who or what is Ciz?
The proper name is Cize. Pays de Cize (land of Cize). Port de Cize (pass of Cize). Cize is a name for the whole region around Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port on the French side of the border.Could someone please tell me where Ciz is located?
Volley OC's and Sandals with wool socks until noon then no socks
The last 10 years and how many ?????????
Thats the best way by so far Bornean.
Absolutely, Thornley!
I'm only taking my trail runners because they are so light, I got them dirt cheap in a clearance sale, and it wouldn't break my heart to ditch them if they let me down. I've been jungle trekking in them regularly for the last month and they feel great. And because of the lack of ankle support, I'm training myself to adjust to certain things, which I think is very helpful.
When I did the Camino Frances 2 years ago, I approached it the same way I would if I were hiking in NZ, the U.S., or what we here in SEA would refer to as "western" countries. What works for me is to approach it as if I were trekking here at home in South East Asia, with a little bit of other stuff thrown in - fusion hiking
Lepoeder,
You and any dutch mates will get on well ,
They advised/told/ordered me ....sandals and get good NZ woollen socks in ...... 2008
Is it that far away from you to buy ............they asked
Poles and runners are perfect go slow at first and the pace will come with fitness, you will be amazed at the calf muscles you developHow steep are the declines on the CF? Are hiking shoes necessary or are tennis shoes ok? Are walking poles necessary?
Thanks!!
It is the pointy rocks sticking up everywhere that let you pick your way down .Just do not lose footing. And make sure medical insurance is the best you can get. And I do not recommend runners for this section.Oh dear, now I feel very tempted to take that up as a challenge.
Walking poles with lots of practice :yes or a singular staff.How steep are the declines on the CF? Are hiking shoes necessary or are tennis shoes ok? Are walking poles necessary?
Thanks!!
Tennis shoes would wear out usually
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