Passing by Roncevaux Pass

[Rambo, John J]

Hi there,

My name's Marty, and i'm from Ireland. I've only just started looking into doing this walk. I heard about the pilgrimage of Santiago a year ago or so (through a Paulo Coelo book of all things), and while not particularly religious, it seemed like something I'd want to do - particularly the pass of Roncevaux as i've a passing interest in European history and would like to see this historical battlefield.

Can anyone offer any general advice as to where I might begin the pilgrimage so that I can take in this site? I'm looking to do the walk in mid-summer this year and would probably have a week to two weeks - Is this even feasible?

Cheers folks for any advice you can give!

Marty

[rekkapix]

Heyo Marty, I'm in Belfast myself and leaving in a week. I have recently read The Pilgrimage, it's a good yarn, i like the 'exercises' in it, especially the 'speed' exercise
I am starting from St Jean because I like mountains. I have 36 days to do before meeting someone in Santiago, that I hope is enough to complete the entire walk. Happy organising.

[Rambo, John J]

Yikes, didn't realise it would take 36 days to complete the whole thing from the Pyrenee's...! I may have to rethink my schedule a bit. I've done no excercising specifically for the trek, but am training for the marathon so should hopefully be fit enough.

How're plans progressing for you, rekkapix, have you got places to stay and all that or are you going to (as is my usual modus operandi) wing it?

[rekkapix]

Well I have 36 days to do it, it's 500 odd miles so that should be walking 15+ miles a day. But then I haven't done it before so I am just supposing, I reckon everyone has their own speed/pace/dooter.
People do parts of it, like 100km, then return and do the rest. I have chosen to do it all.
I think my plans are going good, then sometimes I think I'm approaching it from the COMPLETELY wrong angle and I'll get there and be useless. But I should stop worrying. Too late now!
You should have a good read through all the threads on this forum, some really good advice from old hands. Good luck in planning