Pyrennes vs O'Cebrero

[Deborah]

How does crossing the Pyrennes compare with climbing O'Cebrero? This year I walked from Leon to Santiago. Apart from huffing and puffing on the hills and thinking I could possibly die (even with two poles) and a bit of thigh cramping on the last couple of days I really didnt have any problems. I am hoping to return next year ... probably May or September ...to walk some more but am at this stage thinking my knees and the Pyrennes would not be good friends. I am thinking it would be wiser to start at Pamplona. Any thoughts on a comparison between the two 'big hills' and a good starting point would be much appreciated. I will be flying from Australia probably into Madrid and then bus/train to my starting point.

Thankyou all so much for your words of wisdom on so many topics.
Debbie

[grayland]

They are not really a lot different in terms of effort. Neither is straight up and down. The distance from SJPP to Roncesvalles (if you do not stop at Orrison) is about 25km. The same distance back from O'Cebreiro would be a little past Villafranca (Pereje ?). One difference is that for most people the SJPP to Roncesvalles trek comes on the first day without having a chance to get a little more fit. If you can handle O'Cebreiro then you should not have any more trouble with Roncesvalles.

The Valcarlos route is a little less effort despite the accepted opinion that the Napoleon route to Roncesvalles much harder. That, of course, is only my opinion.

[alberto]

I am planning to go from Léon to Santiago, but I only have 2 weeks. How long did your trip take? I don't want to rush it.

[Deborah]

16 days walking Alberto. We walked every day but a few of them were quite short. First day we thought we would break ourselves in gently and walked only 17ks. Next day we stopped at Hospital de Orbigo because there was a medieval festival happening in the town that weekend and it was great fun. We had only walked 12ks. I seem to remember the last day walking into Santiago was also about 12 ks. The longest day was around 27ks and I personally found that tough. I would suggest you take a comfortable pace, stop whenever you feel like it and if you are running behind schedule just catch a taxi for 10/20 ks , whatever. Just remember if the Compostela is important to you, walk the last 100ks. I would also recommend catching a bus from Leon to the outskirts of Leon at Virgen del Camino....because as Covey advised me 'unless you are an avid fan of industrial architecture, its a long hot dull walk'.

Buen Camino Alberto,
Debbie

[BAPA4]

Not a lot of difference in terms of effort.
Suggest stay at Orrison if you're worried about getting to the top of the Pyrenees in one day.
I found the (optional) "hill" just outside Villafranca del Bierzo (take the walkers route rather than the road) one of the most difficult but beautiful bits of the whole way.Remember....this isn't supposed to be easy.
Don't catch buses/taxis/lifts to avoid bits that are either difficult or less pleasant.....you will regret it later when others talk about completing the whole journey without "assistance".