My last Camino in 08/18, I took the Valcarlos route. I ended up injuring myself and I tore something where my leg meets my hip. I think I saw maybe 3 other pilgrims the whole time and got lost a few times. There are portions where there are no markers for a while. When i got to a section where it is like a shortcut to Roncesvalles, it was closed for a reason i can't remember. So there I was, on the side of the road and the sun going down, trying to figure out how to get a taxi or uber to pick me up because I was entirely spent and emotionally drained. Then a miracle. A taxi drove by and stopped. He picked me up and drove me to Roncesvalles and didn't even charge me. I was very close to crying tears of joy. I will be taking the Napoleon route this time and staying at Orisson when I go this August.
I walked it last October. I had the whole route to myself. It is a 4 hour climb at the end but much less overall height gain compared to the Napoleon route. Also good if the weather is bad with lots of shelter from the trees
thanks for posting this! i watched the other videos of the napoleonic way and wondering if this is the "easier" of the two. i will be starting the camino in st. jean in 7 weeks!!! day 1 i now wish i split in two with either a stop in valacarlos or orisson. these are great! thank you!!!
It was in late August. There weren’t a lot of people walking but the route is very nice with enough towns to stop at as needed. Thanks for the comment.
My last Camino in 08/18, I took the Valcarlos route. I ended up injuring myself and I tore something where my leg meets my hip. I think I saw maybe 3 other pilgrims the whole time and got lost a few times. There are portions where there are no markers for a while. When i got to a section where it is like a shortcut to Roncesvalles, it was closed for a reason i can't remember. So there I was, on the side of the road and the sun going down, trying to figure out how to get a taxi or uber to pick me up because I was entirely spent and emotionally drained. Then a miracle. A taxi drove by and stopped. He picked me up and drove me to Roncesvalles and didn't even charge me. I was very close to crying tears of joy. I will be taking the Napoleon route this time and staying at Orisson when I go this August.
I start August all so ..how do I make reservations to Orrison... Hope you can help me...
I walked it last October. I had the whole route to myself. It is a 4 hour climb at the end but much less overall height gain compared to the Napoleon route. Also good if the weather is bad with lots of shelter from the trees
thanks for posting this! i watched the other videos of the napoleonic way and wondering if this is the "easier" of the two. i will be starting the camino in st. jean in 7 weeks!!! day 1 i now wish i split in two with either a stop in valacarlos or orisson. these are great! thank you!!!
It was in late August. There weren’t a lot of people walking but the route is very nice with enough towns to stop at as needed. Thanks for the comment.
What time of year was your walk?