Just how hard is the first day from St. Jean?

[Gerry47]

Hi Everyone

I'm beginning the Camino in August and can only walk for one week this year. I've read up a lot and am just wondering how hard you found the first day from St. Jean to Roncesvalles and how long did it take you? How fit were you starting off the Camino? It seems to be one of the most difficult days of the whole walk.

Many thanks

Gerry

[dolly]

Did one week of the camino last year started from St. Jean and it was the best feeling to complete day one, if you can do that you can do anything. The uphill part is hard but comng down was so hard on the knees. Don't forget a packed lunch as there's nowhere to stop on the way. Just take your time doing it, you'll have to get up and start again next morning. Had never done anything like this before but have booked two weeks off in April/may to continue my journey. Bring a high factor suncream if you're going in July/August. Have a fab time

[Gerry47]

Thank you for the advice. I hadn't thought about the packed lunch! Is the decent harder than the ascent?

[Leslie]

Lunch and water.

I split the first day into two the first time I walked as I started late in the day - about noon - just got off the train. I found it very hard going, I was not fit at all the first time I walked, but I was by the end of the month.

See this page if you want to split the day in two http://www.caminodesantiago.me.uk/albergues.html Orisson is the place to book and in the high season it has to be booked.

[dolly]

Personally I found the descent tougher going than the ascent, but well worth it!

[ziggywigs]

Did this in early February and i split it into two camping out half way - best experience ever. I found it hard going for the first day as is really a baptism of fire being uphill for most of the trip but also kept stopping to look at the views, wildlife etc....make sure you take food and water for two days to be sure. Whether you will struggle doing it in a day depends on your initial fitness levels...i aimed to do 20km a day and that was manageable for me at my fitness level and allowed some interaction with the locals on route.

My walking partner found the downhill bit harder whereas i found the uphill bit harder....it's different for everyone.

One thing for sure you will have a great time!

[Peregrino]

This day is quite hard going. It is often many peoples first day walking on the Camino. So they discover they are not as fit as they thought or they packed too much stuff and their backpack is too heavy.

The Pyranees are not really as hard work as people think but it can be a shock to the system. I see a lot of people rushing to Roncesvalles but it's pointless because it will just make the next days walk harder.

At the Office in Saint Jean they will tell you that for the last part of the way you should take the road into Roncesvalles because the terrain through the forest is really steep and sometimes slippy. I would suggest only experienced walkers take the forest route. The last few kilometres through the forest is very picturesque and serene. It will bring you out by a stream at the base of the monastery. A perfect opportunity to soak those tired sweaty feet in the ice cold water.

Essentials for Saint Jean Pied Port - Roncesvalles

A big packed lunch

[Na Gopaleen]

I did it about 3 or 4 years ago. Aged about 27 then, totally unfit. Had an 8KG rucksack. It was tough enough. You climb up for about 5 hours and then descend for 1 hour. Coming down for that 1 hour was really tough. Your muscles are used to climbing up and need to adjust to coming down. Agony. It took me 30 days to reach Santiago and I definitely will do it again.

[Sheens]

I did it 2 weeks ago. My fitness level was moderate, and i found it very difficult.. mind you, the rain didnt help, i was soaked to the skin. Everyone managed to do it, but it took some people 8 hours- I did it in 6 1/4 or so. I was deliriously exhausted after it. I have mixed feelings about staying in Orisson- just becuase it's only 8km into it- it's not anything like half way, maybe not even 1/3. I didnt really take many breaks because of the rain, but i suppose if you had sufficient supplies and good weather, you could take lots of breaks and it would be OK.. I certainly wouldnt be advising someone with poor fitness or ankle/knee problems to do it, that's for sure.

I will say this much though- you have some hell of a sense of achievement after words!

[jscho111]

I walked it over two days, stopping the night in Orisson. I found it most enjoyable doing it that way and not at all taxing, probably the most scenic part of all of the 35 days of my Camino. The walk down into Roncesvalles through the beech forest is very picturesque but steep. It might be better to take the road if it is wet.

[larryphd]

We are just starting our research!! We would love to know more about the forrest route. We are going late Sept. Are going to get in shape by hiking local mountains. Is 3 months enought time to prepare for this difficult part. Where do you stay? Do you need gear to camp outside??Any other input would be great!
Many thanks,
Larry & Faith

[Stephen_Belfast]

I think how hard you'll find the first day depends on how fit you are. I've walked it twice. The first time was shortly before my 60th birthday and it took me about 7 hours. It was a nice autumn day and I'd stop often to rest and admire the scenery. I also had a leisurely glass of beer at Orisson.
The second time was different. I'd thought I'd fully recovered from an illness, but I hadn't. This time it took about 14 hours. I trudged into Roncesvalles as the light was fading to be told that the refuge was full and there were tents to house the overflow. Fortunately, when I presented my credential for its 'sello', which showed I'd walked from SJPP, a bed was discovered in an annex.
For me that first long day was debilitating. I walked on for a few more days until I reached Estella where I realised I couldn't go on.
Anyone who thinks that the first day might be too much for them could break their journey by staying at the Refuge-Auberge Orisson. It's fairly small so a bed would need to be booked in advance.

[Sheens]

Larry&Faith... I didnt do any training whatsoever for the SJPP leg and i was OK.. it was tough, dont get me wrong, and my legs were very sore for a couple of days, but i got over it.. You ask if 3 months training is enough- absolutely!! Admittedly I am 32, have no ailments and am relatively fit, but genuinely, I dont think you'd need more than 2 weeks traning so you'll be absolutely fine- If i can do it with no training, you can do it!

All i will say is make sure you have good wet gear- i was drenched through to the skin. Everything i had was wet when i got to Roncesvalles. Also, bring plenty of supplies- ie food and water- i had nothing and was so weak by the time i arrived in roncesvalles.

I personally wouldnt bother staying at Orisson- it's not even 1/3 of the way to Ronsecesvalles.. it's an option obviously, but i wouldnt bother. You havent even started the forest/mountain part by the time you get to Orisson.

[larryphd]

Thanks for the great info
Larry

[larryphd]

Thanks for the great info
Larry

[mountainhiker]

I've walked this journey over the mountain twice and I am a senior in moderate condition. It's not a race so it's a pleasure to take a steady pace, stop when you're out of breath and admire the beauty. Yes, it's strenuous and there is no denying this. Keeping my pack lighter, and having lots of water and the food that suited me really made it easier. Two years ago we stayed at Orisson. I was glad we did this because we met great people and had an excellent meal. It's always tempting to travel a long way, arrive late in the day at St. Jean, and then rush off at 6:00 a.m. So I think the walk is tougher if you come from a place that leaves you "Jet lagged" and you don't take time to rest before the big climb.
Buen Camino

[Gerry47]

I am just back from a week of walking the Camino. What an amazing experience and I can now address the question I asked at the top of this topic. We had intended setting off at 5.30am to walk to Roncesvalles but that would have been a bit of a mistake. We stayed at a little hotel in St. Jean and went to the pilgrim office the evening before we set off. There was a great old Australian guy there named Peter and he is a bit of an inspiration. Both he and the girl in the hotel advised setting off at about 7am. We had some breakfast and set off shortly after 7.30am. The first part to Orisson is the hardest. It is only 8km but quite steep and all on roads. We had a break at Orisson and then just continued the walk. It was okay really. Parts of it are steep but overall it was not nearly as bad as I feared. We had really good weather and the main problem was the heat. Make sure you have plenty of water. I carried 1.5ltrs in a platypus water carrier and a spare .5ltr in case I ran out. Make yourself drink! It took us two hours to get to Orisson and we left it again at 10am. We arrived at Roncesvalles at 2.45pm. All in all a great day, walking stick(s) are a must. Thank you for all of your advice beforehand, Gerry.