Walking from SJPDP to Roncesvalles: Alternative Routes and Overnight Options

[Streetfood]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for your advice.
I don't want to walk from SJPDP to Roncesvalles in a single day. Normally I would overnight at Orisson before continuing to Roncesvalles on the Route de Napoleon but as I depart SJPDP on 7 April neither Refuge Orisson or Auberge Borda may be open. The obvious alternative is to take the Route Valcarlos but I'm wondering about going up the Napoleon route past Orisson (I like the view!) to the D-128 turn-off & then walking down the D-128 to overnight in Valcarlos before heading to Roncesvalles on the second day. Can someone tell me the distance between the D-128 turn-off on the Route Napoleon & Valcarlos?

 

[trecile]

Have you been in contact with either Orisson or Auberge Borda? I think that if it's safe to walk enough to do as you suggest that they will be open.

 

[mspath]

Check out the relevant posts re D-128 in this earlier thread.
Most important of all is to be safe in whatever you do.

The Napoleon route might still be closed then do to snow. Check the weather conditions before you walk either route at the 39 rue de La Citadelle office of the Amis/Pilgrim office.

 

[Streetfood]

Have you been in contact with either Orisson or Auberge Borda? I think that if it's safe to walk enough to do as you suggest that they will be open.

Thanks @trecile.
Orisson is not taking bookings till after 12 April but if the Napoleon route is open when I walk (ie 7 April) they may be open. Borda is booked through booking.com but currently not accessible. I'm trying to get some certainty but may have to make final decisions on the chosen route on that day!

 

[Streetfood]

Thanks @mspath
Yep I appreciate that I'm walking early in the season & that the Napoleon may be closed.
I did read that thread before posting my question. Looks like the distance may be 11 kms but I was unsure so trying for confirmation. A confounder is that the D-128 extends to Arneguy but Brierley (I know his maps are not to scale) shows a shortcut.

 

[trecile]

Thanks @trecile.
Orisson is not taking bookings till after 12 April but if the Napoleon route is open when I walk (ie 7 April) they may be open. Borda is booked through booking.com but currently not accessible. I'm trying to get some certainty but may have to make final decisions on the chosen route on that day!

According to their Facebook page Auberge Borda is taking bookings via email: aubergeborda@gmail.com

 

[Former member 99290]

HI @Streetfood

Just to add that, in the event that the Route Napoleon is not open when you walk in early April - or you're unable to find a bed at Orisson or Borda - the Valcaros Route is also very scenic and enjoyable and, contrary to what is sometimes assumed, it's 'no walk in the park' in terms of effort.

I've walked from SJPP to Roncesvalles three times. Twice I've walked in one day - once via Napoleon Route and once via Valcaros route. And a third time (which was in fact my first Camino) over two days via Napoleon route stopping in Orrison. All were wonderful experiences with beautiful scenery. If you need or choose to go via the Valcaros route, you can also cut that into two stages.

Buen camino

 

[Streetfood]

HI @Streetfood

Just to add that, in the event that the Route Napoleon is not open when you walk in early April - or you're unable to find a bed at Orisson or Borda - the Valcaros Route is also very scenic and enjoyable and, contrary to what is sometimes assumed, it's 'no walk in the park' in terms of effort.

I've walked from SJPP to Roncesvalles three times. Twice I've walked in one day - once via Napoleon Route and once via Valcaros route. And a third time (which was in fact my first Camino) over two days via Napoleon route stopping in Orrison. All were wonderful experiences with beautiful scenery. If you need or choose to go via the Valcaros route, you can also cut that into two stages.

Buen camino

Hi @anamcara
How dangerous is the road walking on the Valcarlos route?

 

[Former member 99290]

Hi @anamcara
How dangerous is the road walking on the Valcarlos route?

Honestly I don't remember feeling any sense of danger at all - and I have felt that sense on some sections of various Camino paths if they are roadside And it was raining for much of the day when we took the Valcaros route (snow on the Napoleon).

My recollection is that there was not a lot of time walking roadside, though I recall crossing the road at one point to get a coffee - perhaps that was the town of Valcaros. That doesn't mean my recollection is accurate - but I don't recall it as a 'roadside' walk.

Sorry to be vague - it was April 2013. There will be others with more recent experience (and/or better memories and more accurate descriptions) who may chime in. But I just recall that, even though we were initially disappointed not to be able to walk the Napoleon route on that morning - in fact it turned out to be a wonderful day - and a very enjoyable path - and I wrote to that effect on my blog at the time.

 

[mspath]

Streetfood,
In easier happier times I have walked the Valcarlos route 10 times. There is a path to follow through the wood; when walking in winter I walked the verges of the route N135 in order to avoid the snow covered path through the wood.

 

[Former member 99290]

Streetfood,
In easier happier times I have walked the Valcarlos route 10 times. There is a path to follow through the wood; when walking in winter I walked the verges of the route N135 in order to avoid the snow covered path through the wood.

@mspath to the rescue of my vague recollections Thank you. Yes we walked much of the time on a path through the wood. Most enjoyable.

 

[mspath]

The Valcarlos albergue although municipal take reservations.
See more here

Do be aware that from Valcarlos up to Roncesvalles monastery there are no services nor potabile water. Buy any trail snacks that you might need walking when you arrive in Valcarlos so that you can leave early from Valcarlos before the shops are open. Be prepared!

For more info on this historic route see
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...your-experience-on-the-valcarlos-route.55151/

 

[Streetfood]

According to their Facebook page Auberge Borda is taking bookings via email: aubergeborda@gmail.com

Muchas gracias trecile.
I have emailed a reservation request to Augerge Borda

 

[Monasp]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for your advice.
I don't want to walk from SJPDP to Roncesvalles in a single day. Normally I would overnight at Orisson before continuing to Roncesvalles on the Route de Napoleon but as I depart SJPDP on 7 April neither Refuge Orisson or Auberge Borda may be open. The obvious alternative is to take the Route Valcarlos but I'm wondering about going up the Napoleon route past Orisson (I like the view!) to the D-128 turn-off & then walking down the D-128 to overnight in Valcarlos before heading to Roncesvalles on the second day. Can someone tell me the distance between the D-128 turn-off on the Route Napoleon & Valcarlos?

l'Auberge Borda opens on April 1st. You can book at this address : aubergeborda@gmail.com
tel : +33 6 61 92 97 43

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

Muchas gracias trecile.
I have emailed a reservation request to Augerge Borda

Just in case you change your mind my OSMand app shows a 5.7 mile, 9 km walk from the intersection of routes D428 and D128 on the Napoleon to the point on the D128 where you cross the river to Valcarlos. Stay on the D128; there are trails and minor roads that get you there in a shorter distance but it could take you a much longer time if you get lost.

Buen Camino.

 

[mvirtue]

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for your advice.
I don't want to walk from SJPDP to Roncesvalles in a single day. Normally I would overnight at Orisson before continuing to Roncesvalles on the Route de Napoleon but as I depart SJPDP on 7 April neither Refuge Orisson or Auberge Borda may be open. The obvious alternative is to take the Route Valcarlos but I'm wondering about going up the Napoleon route past Orisson (I like the view!) to the D-128 turn-off & then walking down the D-128 to overnight in Valcarlos before heading to Roncesvalles on the second day. Can someone tell me the distance between the D-128 turn-off on the Route Napoleon & Valcarlos?

FYI in 2013, the Napoleon route was closed due to snow and poor visibility on April 19th and again on April 28th. No views at all. Even the Valcarlos route had lots of snow so it made navigating a bit difficult.

 

[mspath]

Just in case you change your mind my OSMand app shows a 5.7 mile, 9 km walk from the intersection of routes D428 and D128 on the Napoleon to the point on the D128 where you cross the river to Valcarlos. Stay on the D128; there are trails and minor roads that get you there in a shorter distance but it could take you a much longer time if you get lost.

Buen Camino.

What Rick states is very important. Furthermore after crossing the river on D128 a steep path climbs up the hillside to Valcarlos. I have seen strong men truly exhausted after this climb from the river especially in bad weather.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

What Rick states is very important. Furthermore after crossing the river on D128 a steep path climbs up the hillside to Valcarlos. I have seen strong men truly exhausted after this climb from the river especially in bad weather.

Yeah, it's a really short walk from the river to the albergue (one of the first buildings you come to in town). But it is really steep. And if it is icy, and you survive, you will have one heck of a tale to tell.

 

[Streetfood]

Just in case you change your mind my OSMand app shows a 5.7 mile, 9 km walk from the intersection of routes D428 and D128 on the Napoleon to the point on the D128 where you cross the river to Valcarlos. Stay on the D128; there are trails and minor roads that get you there in a shorter distance but it could take you a much longer time if you get lost.

Buen Camino.

Thanks Rick, I've made an annotation to Brierley

 

[jlietzow]

Muchas gracias trecile.
I have emailed a reservation request to Augerge Borda

It took a couple of days to get a reply, but I was able to make a reservation for later in April at Borda via that email address.

¡Buen Camino!

 

[trecile]

It took a couple of days to get a reply, but I was able to make a reservation for later in April at Borda via that email address.

¡Buen Camino!

Fantastic - Buen Camino!

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I enjoyed walking the Valcarlos route in April 2015 and agin in 2017. It has a lot of variety in landscape and a couple of villages for a coffee, snacks and a little shopping if needed.
I do remember a rather short section of walking along a road, but it didn't last very long, and I didn't find it treacherous.

 

[Streetfood]

Thanks to all who replied to my original post. Great practical information. This forum is undoubtedly the best resource when preparing for a Camino!

 

[Thornley]

How dangerous is the road walking on the Valcarlos route?

We have been both ways and i offer this as a sometimes wise 70 plus year old.
1 Go have way if you wish on Napoleon for the view , get a taxi back to SJPP and enjoy the day.
2 Divide the Valcarlos into 2 days , lovely accommodation there.
3 There is no danger on the road but there is one bend when its advisable to cross over , not explaining here , you will know when you get there.
We all had yellow ponchos for the mist which were binned later that day..
We were in a staggered group , it's more popular than many think going via Valcarlos and we stayed on the road until the water fountain as the floor of the valley was toooo wet .
We continued onto Burguete the next day which has a great feel.
Start slowly and enjoy

 

[AlwynWellington]

Can someone tell me the distance between the D-128 turn-off on the Route Napoleon & Valcarlos?

@Streetfood, an interesting thought.


Day 1 = 20.1 km with and elevation gain of about 900 metres and a descent of about the same.

Saint-Jean to the turn off is 12.7 km. At about this point you will be 1,140 metres above sea level (asl).

From the turn off to Valcarlos is 7.4 km and you descend almost 900 in the process. (Your question)


Day 2 - 15.9 km

The next day (Valcarlos to Roncesvalles) is 15.9 KM and another ascent of about 900 metres.

This is a total of 36 km and a total elevation gain of about 1,800 metres



On the other hand:
Saint-Jean directly to Roncesvalles (whether one day or two) is a total of 23.3 km.
Elevation gain of 1,260 metres (176 m asl to 1,431 m asl)
Descend 500 m to Roncesvalles (1,431 m asl to 948 m asl).


I hope that answers your question, in a wider context.