Taking a Chariot...

[Tiff and Z]

Hi there,

So I am doing the Camino this April/May... with my 3 year old in a pram! It is an off-road Chariot that can handle the trip, and will be big enough for him to be comfortable for the whole journey. I just want to confirm that the first section, from SJPP to Pamplona will be do-able? What is the terrain like? I know it's a steep uphill, but will I manage with a 3 wheeler (as in, are there any rocky trails, or is it jeep track/road the whole way)? I have been watching LOTS of YouTubes to get an idea of the terrain, and I am pretty confident about most of the journey. I am totally happy to skip sections and take a taxi/bus if necessary... but I would REALLY like to start from SJPP. Your thoughts please?

Many thanks,
Tiffany

 

[Deleted member 3000]

A lot is on roads. You can do the descent on road, too.

 

[grayland]

Insure that you have some very good high viz vests and markers for the "Chariot" for walking on the various roads that you will encounter. Some are busy and many are just country back roads with little or no traffic.

Being very visible is always a good idea...but even more important with a little one along.

 

[Tiff and Z]

Great advice, thank you! The Chariot is bright yellow and blue, but that is an excellent point so I will definitely add some reflective high-vis to the pram and my own attire, thanks.

 

[grayland]

I have found that something that moves or waves attracts the attention of drivers.
A small bicycle type flag would work nicely on a pram.

 

[gerardcarey]

On behalf of my pilgrim mates may I ask that you not be shy about asking for assistance when it is required.
You'd be hard pressed to find a more helpful bunch of folk.
Regards, good travelling, and buen Camino,
Gerard

 

[MichelleElynHogan]

There is a short piece above Orisson, just after the Thibault Cross where the path becomes a bit uneven, rocky, narrow. Otherwise, there are paved roads, gravel roads. But when you get to the West side of the mountaions, TAKE THE PATH TO THE RIGHT!!!. The path to the left is very steep and rocky. The path to the right is a couple km longer but much easier on the legs, and safer. This should be described in the paperwork you will receive at the Pilgrims' Office in SJPP.

 

[jdpiguet]

SJPP to Roncesvalles should not be a problem, but the downhill to Zubiri will be difficult: steep and very rocky!
It should be doable, but very slowly (and bumpy for your kid).

Buen Camino, Jacques-D.

 

[Karl Oz]

There are some extremely steep sections on the ascent. I expect you will be able to handle these, but I am concerned about the possibility of a 'runaway'. Does the pram have some sort of automatic brake that is engaged if you inadvertently lose your grip? For example, if you stumble or are distracted. It's an aspect worth considering.

 

[tpmchugh]

Hi there,

So I am doing the Camino this April/May... with my 3 year old in a pram! It is an off-road Chariot that can handle the trip, and will be big enough for him to be comfortable for the whole journey. I just want to confirm that the first section, from SJPP to Pamplona will be do-able? What is the terrain like? I know it's a steep uphill, but will I manage with a 3 wheeler (as in, are there any rocky trails, or is it jeep track/road the whole way)? I have been watching LOTS of YouTubes to get an idea of the terrain, and I am pretty confident about most of the journey. I am totally happy to skip sections and take a taxi/bus if necessary... but I would REALLY like to start from SJPP. Your thoughts please?

Many thanks,
Tiffany

There was a lady on here 3 years ago asking a similar question although her little girl was 5 and walking. The general consensus was that she should start from Roncesvalles. I met her in Biarritz airport and she had decided that was the best idea, as at that time of year in April, there can still be snow on the Napolean route. I can tell you that she made it to Santiago but did skip a couple of days by train. The trail down into Zubiri even if you do skip the Pyrenees is steep bed rock. Similarly trails down to Molinaseca after the Cruz de Ferro. When do you actually start. The later in April, the more pilgrims will be on the road so more helping hands to get you over the toughest parts

 

[tpmchugh]

There is a short piece above Orisson, just after the Thibault Cross where the path becomes a bit uneven, rocky, narrow. Otherwise, there are paved roads, gravel roads. But when you get to the West side of the mountaions, TAKE THE PATH TO THE RIGHT!!!. The path to the left is very steep and rocky. The path to the right is a couple km longer but much easier on the legs, and safer. This should be described in the paperwork you will receive at the Pilgrims' Office in SJPP.

I would change that 'bit uneven' to very uneven steep and rocky to be honest

 

[Pam Scott]

Hi there,

So I am doing the Camino this April/May... with my 3 year old in a pram! It is an off-road Chariot that can handle the trip, and will be big enough for him to be comfortable for the whole journey. I just want to confirm that the first section, from SJPP to Pamplona will be do-able? What is the terrain like? I know it's a steep uphill, but will I manage with a 3 wheeler (as in, are there any rocky trails, or is it jeep track/road the whole way)? I have been watching LOTS of YouTubes to get an idea of the terrain, and I am pretty confident about most of the journey. I am totally happy to skip sections and take a taxi/bus if necessary... but I would REALLY like to start from SJPP. Your thoughts please?

Many thanks,
Tiffany

no problem for a chariot, amazing things. Make sure your'e fit for the long push up into the Pyrenees!! Buen Camino, have a great time

 

[jmcarp]

Based on the documentary films "Six Ways to Santiago" (http://caminodocumentary.org/) and "I'll Push You" (http://www.illpushyou.com), you'll find plenty of help on the rough and rocky/muddy stretches. Pilgrims are an amazing lot.

 

[owms2323]

SJPP to Roncesvalles should not be a problem, but the downhill to Zubiri will be difficult: steep and very rocky!
It should be doable, but very slowly (and bumpy for your kid).

Buen Camino, Jacques-D.

Take a bus from Ronsesvalles to Pamplona to avoid this section

 

[blueskywa]

There are some extremely steep sections on the ascent. I expect you will be able to handle these, but I am concerned about the possibility of a 'runaway'. Does the pram have some sort of automatic brake that is engaged if you inadvertently lose your grip? For example, if you stumble or are distracted. It's an aspect worth considering.

This is an excellent point......or a long strap connected to the pram to go around the wrist. My daughters' 3 wheeler has one.

 

[Pam Scott]

I've experiences both chariots and the Camino Frances and the Chariot is suitable for the task in hand. super racing car type seat and straps for the child. A wrist strap and suspension. As long as you don't go in the winter you won't need your ski attachment. lol.

 

[HedaP]

I have met several pilgrims who walked with young ones in strollers or prams or buggies or chariots or whatever you might want to call them. Any sort of off-road stroller will certainly work. If you are walking by yourself it will not be easy but many others have done it.
Buen camino, peregrina.

 

[Tiff and Z]

Many thanks everyone, super helpful!

I will heed all of your advice. Yes, the Chariot has a safety strap, and I will be adding another one so that I can adapt the buggy to be pulled, if necessary. I have also decided to add a reflective bicycle flag, and possibly even a small South African flag. Keep an eye out for us!

 

[Moominmamma]

Many thanks everyone, super helpful!

I will heed all of your advice. Yes, the Chariot has a safety strap, and I will be adding another one so that I can adapt the buggy to be pulled, if necessary. I have also decided to add a reflective bicycle flag, and possibly even a small South African flag. Keep an eye out for us!

Let us know how it goes, as I'm still trying to persuade my husband to let us bring our youngest (now 4) one time. I've gone with a friend from Chiasso in CH to Le Puy (in stages) and our husbands and older teens are joining us for the next stage this summer, but I'd love to hear of experiences with little ones.

 

[Tiff and Z]

Let us know how it goes, as I'm still trying to persuade my husband to let us bring our youngest (now 4) one time. I've gone with a friend from Chiasso in CH to Le Puy (in stages) and our husbands and older teens are joining us for the next stage this summer, but I'd love to hear of experiences with little ones.

Will do!

 

[Tiff and Z]

I have met several pilgrims who walked with young ones in strollers or prams or buggies or chariots or whatever you might want to call them. Any sort of off-road stroller will certainly work. If you are walking by yourself it will not be easy but many others have done it.
Buen camino, peregrina.

HedaP, That would be wonderful to talk to someone who has actually done it with a pram/toddler. Would you mind putting us in touch please? My family is also quite concerned about us being so vulnerable... a woman travelling alone with a toddler. They are worried that he will kidnapped, or that we will be at risk of attack. Any suggestions as to how to ease their fears? Do you think I should be concerned about this safety aspect? I expect to be fully "on guard" in the bigger cities of Barcelona and Madrid, but how safe is the Frances Route itself? Would you be worried?

 

[Hiawatha]

Pack a small maintenance kit , nothing too elaborate , spanner , screwdrivers , pliers and WD40 . Just enough for you to adjust the braking system and tighten the odd thing that most certainly will work loose . Grease the wheel bushes/bearings well before you leave and learn how to do this if you don't already .
For safety's sake so called ' Deadman's' brakes are worth investigating , you must hold them down to release them and they will activate instantly if you happen to lose your grip on the handle . For the sake of comfort and avoiding fatigue they can be locked out when traveling in flatter areas .

 

[HedaP]

HedaP, That would be wonderful to talk to someone who has actually done it with a pram/toddler. Would you mind putting us in touch please? My family is also quite concerned about us being so vulnerable... a woman travelling alone with a toddler. They are worried that he will kidnapped, or that we will be at risk of attack. Any suggestions as to how to ease their fears? Do you think I should be concerned about this safety aspect? I expect to be fully "on guard" in the bigger cities of Barcelona and Madrid, but how safe is the Frances Route itself? Would you be worried?

So sorry, I didn’t keep in touch with them so cannot give you contact details. I have never heard of a child being kidnapped or attacked on the camino. I met both men and women travelling alone with small children. They met with a lot of kindness from fellow pilgrims. I always walk alone and have never been threatened with kidnap or physically attacked. Walking the camino is probably less risky than walking at home but like everywhere in the world you have to trust your instincts and take all the usual precautions.
Buen camino, peregrina

 

[Kanga]

Perhaps it would help to watch the documentary film Six Ways to Santiago (mentioned above by @jmcarp). One of the main characters is a young woman walking with her young child in a stroller/buggy. You can see her and him in the trailer - here.