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Valcarlos route or Napoleon Route

Luisito76

New Member
Time of past OR future Camino
Camino Frances
Hello!
Tomorrow I am arriving to SJPD and starting The Camino on Saturday. I am not sure which route ro take, Napoleon or Valcarlos.
Any suggestions?
PS. I am considering stay in Caro since all the hostels are full

Thanks

Regards,
Luis
 
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Luisito76 said:
It is located a mile and a half from SJPD
Click to expand...
Could be an option. If you go to the pilgrim office in St Jean they will help find you a place to stay. We did the Napoleon Route in 2016. I probably wouldn't do it again. It was pretty, but long and very steep going down at the end when you are tired.
 
In early April 2019 I was keen doing the Napoleon route, but was very disappointed to find out is was closed again because of snow. So I took the way via Valcarlos and it was actually quite pleasant. I really enjoyed it
Of course next time I would really want to walk the Napoleon, as I already know the other. But in the end it seems both are nice in different ways
 
I walked the Valcarlos route in 2016 and the Napoleon in 2018. Next week I will walk the Napoleon route again because I prefer it. I found each to be of similar difficulty and both are beautiful, but I enjoyed the scenery and camaraderie of the Napoleon more.
 
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I've walked both. They're different but both are lovely walks and plenty doable if you are in halfway decent physical condition.
The Napoleon is definitely the most crowded. Both times I walked the Valcarlos route I saw less than ten fellow pilgrims on it.
 
I've walked both. They are different but both beautiful.

When the route Napoleon is open, the Valcarlos is usually very quiet.

When I walked it in 2017 in beautiful summer weather, I saw only two other pilgrims!

In bad weather you won't see much up on the high route as you'll walk in fog and clouds. So if rain and wind is in the forecast, I'd choose the Valcarlos. If it is very hot it is also the better choice because there's a lot of shade, while on the Route Napoleon you're walking in the sun (not many trees up there).

Regarding accommodation - the municipal albergue in St. Jean does not accept reservations. So if you arrive early enough, you'll have a bed. If it is full, the pilgrims office will help you find accommodation.

If you arrive early you could also directly walk to Valcarlos. It is only a ~12km walk and Valcarlos has a nice municipal albergue that also accepts reservations I think. So maybe that's an option If you don't find accommodation in St. Jean.

Buen Camino!
 
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It was very rainy in the September 2022 day we began our Camino from SJPP, so we took the Valcarlos route. We had planned to take it all along, but had the day been beautiful, we might have taken the NR. The Valcarlos Route was so pretty! We had not been prepared for how pretty and varied the terrain would be, some pretty easy, some less so (definitely places to be very careful), some street walking, some cows and their leavings. But a good route for a rainy day. We thought it was a pretty long day, but we are not fast walkers!
 
Arrived in SJPDP last week after finishing the Via Podiensis. We had an extra day before heading home and had already hiked the Napoleon/CF on a previous trip. So we took a cab up to Roncevaux and hiked back down to St Jean on the Valcarlos. It was gorgeous! I loved the day, through beautiful forests, crossing streams on little bridges and seeing the church in Valcarlos with a cool stamp from the lady who unlocked the door for us as we were taking a break on the church steps. The only downside was a fair amount of road walking as the trail wove in/out of the woods. But drivers were really considerate and stayed away as we walked on the shoulder of the twisty road. I wouldn’t hesitate to take the Valcarlos route, it’s just a different feel than the Napoleon.
 
Luisito76 said:
I am not sure which route ro take, Napoleon or Valcarlos.
Click to expand...
I started at 7:30 a.m., took "a few steps at a time", i.e., at snail pace, on the Napoleon trail, and reached the hostel around 5:00 p.m. in time for a delicious grilled fresh trout meal with wine in one of the the hostel's restaurants.

Taking the Napoleon route is not as difficult as I thought / has been described. I had my backpack courier to the hostel may make the difference.
 
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Valcarlos is nice. Napoleon is breath taking wonderful. If it's open go for it. Why take less if there's more?
I did, started from Orrison, not the greatest physical form but I did it. It's difficult but very much doable. Was the highlight of the whole Camino.
 
I can't compare as I have only done Napoleon - but it is beautiful and I am so glad I did it! But always check the weather which can be unpredictable - before setting out. Don't attempt to do it if the route is closed.

The first few hours are steep, but not so bad after that (except you are already tired from the steep section). Start early, stop and rest and refuel in Orison.
 
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