Walking time from SJPP to Borda

[Kobe]

There is a chance I will be arriving on 8/31/22 by train to SJPP at 3:20pm from Bayonne if I am not successful finding earlier transport. I am wondering what may be an average time involved with walking up the "slope" to Borda? The check-in time there ends at 6:30pm. I will also need to make my way from the train station to the pilgrim office befo re embarking on the grand adventure.
Thanks!

 

[Robo]

Depends how fit you are! At my slow pace it would take me about 3 hours to walk up there........

 

[trecile]

There is a chance I will be arriving on 8/31/22 by train to SJPP at 3:20pm from Bayonne if I am not successful finding earlier transport. I am wondering what may be an average time involved with walking up the "slope" to Borda? The check-in time there ends at 6:30pm. I will also need to make my way from the train station to the pilgrim office befo re embarking on the grand adventure.
Thanks!

Do you already have a reservation at Borda?

I would write to them to let them know your plan, and that you might not make it by 6:30.

I've stayed at Orisson three times, but I don't remember exactly how long it took me to walk up there as I wasn't in a hurry. I do know that it took me longer than my normal 5 km/hr pace.

 

[Susan Peacock]

Sounds stressful. Not how I would want to start my Camino. I’m not going to say impossible but will be difficult. Why not stay the night in SJPdP, a lovely little town.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

I am wondering what may be an average time involved with walking up the "slope" to Borda?

I worked out an estimated walking time of 3 hours using Naismith's Rule (really a rule of thumb). Borda is 8.5 km from SJPdP and the elevation gain looks to be about 800 m. Naismith assumes a flat walking speed of 5 kph (3 mph). Doing the math you get 3 hours. Adjust for a different walking speed.

Simplified some, at a walking speed of 5 kilometres per hour figure 12 minutes a kilometer plus an additional minute for every 10 metres of ascent.

 

[Siegfried]

Hi.
Last year I started from SJJP at 14:10 and arrived 17:54 at Borda , a stop at Orrison of about 30 min was included.
Walking duration was 2:34

Its easy to contact the owner to announce your later arrival.
Dinner started at 20:00

Buen camino

 

[hawkeyepierce]

It took me 3:45, but with many breaks. I set out from SJPDP at 8:00 and arrived at Borda at 14:50.

I would suggest spending the night in SJPDP for a stress free start.

 

[Quinranda]

I'd suggest starting the next morning. It's hard to know how long it will take you. I was slooow my first few days. And Borda is so lovely, it would be a shame to miss the special dinner there. Moreover, at least for me, it would be an incredibly stressful way to start my Camino feeling rushed to get somewhere. The lovely man who runs Borda is a one man show and he sticks to a tight schedule as he does everything (checking in, cooking, cleaning) by himself. The result is a really magical first night experience.

 

[Kobe]

Sounds stressful. Not how I would want to start my Camino. I’m not going to say impossible but will be difficult. Why not stay the night in SJPdP, a lovely little town.

Haha, yes - I agree! I will be arriving in Bayonne ~11am but wanted to think through a "worse case" scenario. I'm staying a few nights in Paris to help with the jet lag.

 

[CWBuff]

Newbie as I was I left SJPdP at 8:00am and I was at Orisson at 11:00
taking it very slow, stopping for pictures and definitely had at least 30-min break (was tired, listened to my body so stopped for a spell, finished with that, turned around the corner and Albergue Orisson was RIGHT THERE!!!!....LOL)
So - anywhere from 3-4 hours on average should be OK..

It took me 3:45, but with many breaks. I set out from SJPDP at 8:00 and arrived at Borda at 14:50.

I would suggest spending the night in SJPDP for a stress free start.

14:50 - 8 = 6:50.... a little bit confused by your calculation and perhaps you didnt mean those numbers?

 

[Kobe]

Hi.
Last year I started from SJJP at 14:10 and arrived 17:54 at Borda , a stop at Orrison of about 30 min was included.
Walking duration was 2:34

Its easy to contact the owner to announce your later arrival.
Dinner started at 20:00

Buen camino

Thanks. I have e-mailed Laurent in case I experience any delays.

 

[Siegfried]

Newbie as I was I left SJPdP at 8:00am and I was at Orisson at 11:00
taking it very slow, stopping for pictures and definitely had at least 30-min break (was tired, listened to my body so stopped for a spell, finished with that, turned around the corner and Albergue Orisson was RIGHT THERE!!!!....LOL)
So - anywhere from 3-4 hours on average should be OK..


14:50 - 8 = 6:50.... a little bit confused by your calculation and perhaps you didnt mean those numbers?

Guess walking time , excluding rest time ?

 

[Kobe]

Do you already have a reservation at Borda?

I would write to them to let them know your plan, and that you might not make it by 6:30.

I've stayed at Orisson three times, but I don't remember exactly how long it took me to walk up there as I wasn't in a hurry. I do know that it took me longer than my normal 5 km/hr pace.

Yup - have a reservation and have e-mailed Laurent. Thanks!

 

[trecile]

Haha, yes - I agree! I will be arriving in Bayonne ~11am but wanted to think through a "worse case" scenario. I'm staying a few nights in Paris to help with the jet lag.

Have you looked at Express Bouricott for transport from Bayonne?

Passengers tranport on the way of Saint James | Trip from Biarritz to St Jean pied de port

Transporting people around the Way of Saint James. Trips from Biarritz to St Jean Pied De Port to Roncesvalles, and the whole pilgrimage region

www.expressbourricot.com

 

[Kobe]

Hi.
Last year I started from SJJP at 14:10 and arrived 17:54 at Borda , a stop at Orrison of about 30 min was included.
Walking duration was 2:34

Its easy to contact the owner to announce your later arrival.
Dinner started at 20:00

Buen camino

Good to know - thanks. Absolutely do not want to miss that dinner bell!

 

[Kobe]

Te

Have you looked at Express Bouricott for transport from Bayonne?

Passengers tranport on the way of Saint James | Trip from Biarritz to St Jean pied de port

Transporting people around the Way of Saint James. Trips from Biarritz to St Jean Pied De Port to Roncesvalles, and the whole pilgrimage region

www.expressbourricot.com

Terrific - that will be plan B if there aren't any mid-day busses.

 

[Kobe]

I worked out an estimated walking time of 3 hours using Naismith's Rule (really a rule of thumb). Borda is 8.5 km from SJPdP and the elevation gain looks to be about 800 m. Naismith assumes a flat walking speed of 5 kph (3 mph). Doing the math you get 3 hours. Adjust for a different walking speed.

Simplified some, at a walking speed of 5 kilometres per hour figure 12 minutes a kilometer plus an additional minute for every 10 metres of ascent.

You gotta love the scientific folk!

 

[Jamieb]

I am a slow walker, it took me about 4 hours to get to Orisson.

 

[trecile]

Te

Terrific - that will be plan B if there aren't any mid-day busses.

There's also the (expensive) option of a taxi, but perhaps you can find another pilgrim to share the cost.

 

[hawkeyepierce]

Newbie as I was I left SJPdP at 8:00am and I was at Orisson at 11:00
taking it very slow, stopping for pictures and definitely had at least 30-min break (was tired, listened to my body so stopped for a spell, finished with that, turned around the corner and Albergue Orisson was RIGHT THERE!!!!....LOL)
So - anywhere from 3-4 hours on average should be OK..


14:50 - 8 = 6:50.... a little bit confused by your calculation and perhaps you didnt mean those numbers?

Those numbers are straight from my Apple Watch. When I said many breaks, I meant it.

 

[Bill's_Walking]

Since you're going from the station to the pilgrims office first, I doubt that you will have enough time to make it Borda in the limited time you have. The pilgrims office told me it would be about 3 hours to Orrison and that was just about right for me. and Borda is a bit further. You can always try to call them, but you might miss the meal if you arrive later.

 

[CWBuff]

@hawkeyepierce - I am not very APP savvy... perhaps it somehow calculated the actual walking\moving time in which case I can understand. otherwise (simple math-wise) it did not make since to me (start 8 finish 14:50 thats 6hrs 50 mins to me)
but.... small semantics! SLOW AND STEADY
buen camino

 

[Robo]

"Have you looked at Express Bouricott for transport from Bayonne?"

Te

Terrific - that will be plan B if there aren't any mid-day busses.

Be aware that Express Bouricott is a pre booked service, via their website.
As a Plan B 'on the day' you may find they are booked out.

 

[domigee]

There is a chance I will be arriving on 8/31/22 by train to SJPP at 3:20pm from Bayonne if I am not successful finding earlier transport. I am wondering what may be an average time involved with walking up the "slope" to Borda? The check-in time there ends at 6:30pm. I will also need to make my way from the train station to the pilgrim office befo re embarking on the grand adventure.
Thanks!

I’d say, nope! I have no idea how fast you walk but it also depends on the weather. Best thing is to phone the albergue Borda

 

[domigee]

Sounds stressful. Not how I would want to start my Camino. I’m not going to say impossible but will be difficult. Why not stay the night in SJPdP, a lovely little town.

Because the OP is booked in Borda for that night. They may be full the following night….

 

[Marbe2]

Maybe take a taxi to Orisson and then stroll up to Borda. Given the time pressure, you may be tempted to go to fast. It is a steep incline. Start your walking camino from Orisson and don’t start your camino under pressure and risk blisters and injury trying to get there in time!

 

[Robo]

Maybe take a taxi to Orisson and then stroll up to Borda. Given the time pressure, you may be tempted to go to fast. It is a steep incline. Start your walking camino from Orisson and don’t start your camino under pressure and risk blisters and injury trying to get there in time!

Not a bad idea. Or maybe to Huunto ( a bit lower down)
It will give you an extra hour or two.......

 

[hawkeyepierce]

Haha, yes - I agree! I will be arriving in Bayonne ~11am but wanted to think through a "worse case" scenario. I'm staying a few nights in Paris to help with the jet lag.

Why not cut out a day in Paris and leave for SJPDP a day earlier? Note you can also take the high speed train to Bayonne and connect to a regional train to SJPDP.

I spent a couple days in Paris on my way to the Camino as well but found I didn’t enjoy them as I was too excited/anxious to get walking.

 

[Ianinam]

Haha, yes - I agree! I will be arriving in Bayonne ~11am but wanted to think through a "worse case" scenario. I'm staying a few nights in Paris to help with the jet lag.

The 2:35pm train from Bayonne arrives at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port not at 3:20pm but at 3:37pm. It will take you 10-15 minutes to walk to the Pilgrim's offce so you will be there at 4pm. Be aware that there can be a waiting time at the pilgrim's office, this can take you another hour or more.

If you are taking your time in Paris, why in such a hurry at the start of your Camino? Skip one day in Paris and travel one day earlier to Bayonne/Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.
The weather in the mountains is unpredictible and you will probably walk alone in the late afternoon (as most pilgrims start early in the morning) so if you come into trouble maybe there is nobody to help you.

Or try to change your reservation at auberge Borda (and if you have: your reservation at Roncesvalles) to the next day. Or skip your reservation there in auberge Borda, stay a night at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, take your time, meet other pilgrims, have a nice meal together with them, go to bed early and start the following morning early. Then you can walk the full distance to Roncesvalles in one day.

 

[VNwalking]

I will be arriving in Bayonne ~11am but wanted to think through a "worse case" scenario.

Express Bourricot is your friend! Caroline can take you to SJPP much earlier than that afternoon train. But she requires a booking and may be full. But it's worth a check.
Trying to rush up there after the long train journey? Just no. That's putting way too much pressure on yourself.

 

[Ianinam]

Or Guillaume Lopépé from taxi Nafarroa:
https://www.en-pays-basque.fr/en/sit/taxi-nafarroa/

 

[Bill's_Walking]

Why not cut out a day in Paris and leave for SJPDP a day earlier? Note you can also take the high speed train to Bayonne and connect to a regional train to SJPDP.

Great idea! This is what I did, but I was coming coming from Madrid. You still get to deal with the jet lag but you also get a chance to go through your packing and pick up any gear you need that you may have left at home or just forgot.

 

[Anhalter]

It took me 2h2m to get to orisson. I am a very fast walker. I would say, arriving, walking to the Pilgrims Office, having a look at SJPDP and getting to Borda in 3h timeframe might be possible but will be very stressful.

 

[Kobe]

Or Guillaume Lopépé from taxi Nafarroa:
https://www.en-pays-basque.fr/en/sit/taxi-nafarroa/

Thank you. I have put in a request. I made booking at Borda, etc. early summer when there was a posted train departure from Bayonne ~11h30. It has since been discontinued. Trying to make the bookings work!

 

[Kobe]

Express Bourricot is your friend! Caroline can take you to SJPP much earlier than that afternoon train. But she requires a booking and may be full. But it's worth a check.
Trying to rush up there after the long train journey? Just no. That's putting way too much pressure on yourself.

Thank you! I have put in a request.

 

[Kobe]

Thanks, everyone, for all of your wonderful suggestions and advice. I made TGV and Auberge Borda bookings late spring when there was a mid-day TER departure from Bayonne, which they have since discontinued.... Ah, yes. We can chalk this up to the "best laid plans" of limited creatures. I will trust the Camino to provide at this point. Also, my thumb is in good working condition!

 

[domigee]

Maybe take a taxi to Orisson and then stroll up to Borda. Given the time pressure, you may be tempted to go to fast. It is a steep incline. Start your walking camino from Orisson and don’t start your camino under pressure and risk blisters and injury trying to get there in time!

It’s a 5 min walk from Orrisson to Borda!

 

[ua1907]

I have a question regarding pilgrim's passeport: can someone please tell me, if I have already a blank pilgrims passeport on me arriving at SJPDP, do I need to check in at the pilgrims office or is a stamp enough to record my beggining of the route? An if yes, where else than at the pilgrims office can I get one in SJPDP?
I would also start like Kobe plans, get from Bayonne and start walking to Borda at around 1.30 pm....
Thanks, guys

 

[henrythedog]

I have a question regarding pilgrim's passeport: can someone please tell me, if I have already a blank pilgrims passeport on me arriving at SJPDP, do I need to check in at the pilgrims office or is a stamp enough to record my beggining of the route? An if yes, where else than at the pilgrims office can I get one in SJPDP?
I would also start like Kobe plans, get from Bayonne and start walking to Borda at around 1.30 pm....
Thanks, guys

You don’t ‘need’ to check in at the pilgrim’s office; any stamp from your starting point is sufficient if you’re pressed for time. Any cafe or bar will have a sello.

(Personally; I’d go to the pilgrim’s office and pick up their latest albergue list)

 

[Bill's_Walking]

I have a question regarding pilgrim's passeport: can someone please tell me, if I have already a blank pilgrims passeport on me arriving at SJPDP, do I need to check in at the pilgrims office or is a stamp enough to record my beggining of the route? An if yes, where else than at the pilgrims office can I get one in SJPDP?
I would also start like Kobe plans, get from Bayonne and start walking to Borda at around 1.30 pm....
Thanks, guys

I had a passport that I bought from Ivar and the Pilgrims Office stamped it without any problem. A trip to the Pilgrim's Office is well worth it, as @henrythedog indicated. Not only will you get the updated list but they will also advise of the latest conditions on the way to Roncesvalles and it's an experience on its own.

 

[Rick of Rick and Peg]

if I have already a blank pilgrims passeport on me arriving at SJPDP, do I need to check in at the pilgrims office

As earlier replies have stated, no. But do check in at the office to get a weather report. You may see great weather but they may see a severe lightning storm in your future.

 

[Kobe]

I have a question regarding pilgrim's passeport: can someone please tell me, if I have already a blank pilgrims passeport on me arriving at SJPDP, do I need to check in at the pilgrims office or is a stamp enough to record my beggining of the route? An if yes, where else than at the pilgrims office can I get one in SJPDP?
I would also start like Kobe plans, get from Bayonne and start walking to Borda at around 1.30 pm....
Thanks, guys

I contacted "Visit Bayonne" and they confirmed that there are no mid-day trains or buses to STJPP. They gave me this number for a taxi service: (+33) 05 59 59 48 48.

ua1907, If you ned a ride share on 8/31 let me know!

 

[Hans-Georg Goebel]

There is a chance I will be arriving on 8/31/22 by train to SJPP at 3:20pm from Bayonne if I am not successful finding earlier transport. I am wondering what may be an average time involved with walking up the "slope" to Borda? The check-in time there ends at 6:30pm. I will also need to make my way from the train station to the pilgrim office befo re embarking on the grand adventure.
Thanks!

I also slept at Borda in April (a fantastic hostel). with 75, I am no longer the fastest and needed exactly 3 hours to Orisson, where I took a break and then another 20 minutes uphill to Borda. Normally you don't have to pay in advance at Lorenzo (unlike Orisson). Lorenzo is a very nice host and if you explain your situation to him and offer to pay the accommodation price (47€) in advance, I am optimistic that he will accommodate you regarding the arrival time.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

 

[Kobe]

I also slept at Borda in April (a fantastic hostel). with 75, I am no longer the fastest and needed exactly 3 hours to Orisson, where I took a break and then another 20 minutes uphill to Borda. Normally you don't have to pay in advance at Lorenzo (unlike Orisson). Lorenzo is a very nice host and if you explain your situation to him and offer to pay the accommodation price (47€) in advance, I am optimistic that he will accommodate you regarding the arrival time.

Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

Very kind of you to offer your advice. I have 3 hours as a comfortable ball-park ascent time. I am fairly fit. It is difficult to gauge the real-time situation from across an ocean! I am honored by the support of folks on this forum.
Our traveling concerns give greater appreciation for those pilgrims 1000+ years ago who took their first step on blind faith. Not THAT can be considered intrepid!

 

[trecile]

@Kobe Your travel date is rapidly approaching - we're you able to make arrangements with Express Bourricot or a taxi company?

 

[Kobe]

@Kobe Your travel date is rapidly approaching - we're you able to make arrangements with Express Bourricot or a taxi company?

I've been in touch with the "Visit Bayonne" folks. I have a sense they are the equivalent of the city's chamber of commerce. I inquired if it would be best to call ahead for a taxi via the phone number provided. They replied that I could contact the company in the morning of the day in question but assured me that "you will be fine." So. We will trust in the traveling gods. I will let everyone know how things turn out. Hopefully this could be a resource for fellow pilgrims for future reference. Thanks for checking in!

 

[Kathor1]

Just to clarify: Express Bourricot is not a taxi company. They are a kind of commercial car pooling company, well established and widely known, especially for passenger transport from Biarritz airport / Biarritz & Bayonne train station.

Their price varies between €98 and €19 for such a trip, depending on whether you are the only passenger or whether more than one pilgrim has contacted them to reserve a place. Current last minute offers on their website at the time of writing:

August 31 Biarritz Airport- St Jean:​

• 11h from 19€
• 14h00 from 48€

 

[Marbe2]

It’s a 5 min walk from Orrisson to Borda!

Yep….hence “stroll”. Get a good nights rest and start walking up from Borda the next day!