Camino Frances 1st day from SJPDP- Napoleon or Valcarlos Route to Roncesvalles

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0:00 Intro
01:55 Napoleon Route
06:40 Valcarlos Route
Camino Frances starting in Saint Jean Pied de Port has two options the Napoleon Route & the Valcarlos Route.The Napoleon Route 24.2 kms a difficult and spectacular one like no other, we cross the Pyrenees through the Cize Passes, ascending from the 172 metres of altitude of Saint Jean Pied de Port to the 1,430 metres of the Lepoeder pass; then, we descend through a fascinating beech forest to Roncesvalles, at an altitude of 945 metres. No less than 1,258 metres of positive gradient and 485 metres of negative gradient. The second option which is mandatory winter variant, through the Valcarlos valley, always close to the national highway and at a lower altitude than the Napoleon Route. In case of snow or bad weather conditions, and also in case of doubts about one’s physical condition, it is undoubtedly the most sensible option, although its scenic appeal is somewhat less. The positive gradient is 885 metres. I have done both in the last year Napoleon Route August of 2023 & Valcarlos Route April of 2024 so which one is harder?
I would like to express my thanks to great Camino friends that have contributed to this video Rob the cheeky Scotsman @robmaco for all drone footage, so if interested check out his channel
Background music used under licence from Uppbrat.com

[Music] so you’re in St John Pi the port wandering around and sing up its magnificent surroundings getting your credential stamped at the Pilgrim’s office and finding your Alber then you have to ask yourself the question which route will I choose in the morning as you have two choices do I do the short of Al Carlos route 23.5 kilm mainly on a public road that runs at a lower altitude of 1,070 M its highest point with an altitude gain of plus 885 M or do I do the aoon route 24.2 km with the highest point 1,430 M for an altitude gain of 1,258 M and with it the Magnificent 360° views so here is the question which one is harder on the facts I have given you would assume that the longer Napoleon route with an altitude gain differential of 370 M would be harder I have done both in the last year Napoleon route in August of 2023 and V Carlos route April of 2024 so let’s dive in and check both roots on the Napoleon route the time is instant and by the time you’ve reached orison after 7.6 km in about 2 hours you’re at almost 800 M so you have gained about 630 M or about half of the roughly 1,255 M to be gained today have a drink and rest at orison you have earned it Napoleon routee is listed as a grade five 24.2 km stage and roughly 7 hours to R valuse so start early to give yourself plenty of time as things can change and after orison there are no permanent [Applause] facilities because you start the climb immediately it doesn’t take too long to leave the valley behind if you’re fortunate to have Sunny clear skies the views will open up in all directions and it’s always good when you’re taking a break to look at the way you came rather than in front [Music] [Music] the next section after orison to the Spanish border roughly 9 kilm is what I found as the most rewarding part of the stage as you climb above the th000 meter Mark and the views on a clear day a sensation there will be horses grazing some large vultures in the sky and if the weather is good you will get a feeling of great accomplishment and a great start to your Camino [Music] the gradient in this section is constant but not as brutal as up to orison and by then your leg muscles are warmed up and trust me the feeling of accomplishment as you soak up the Magnificent views will more than make up for the burn on your legs [Music] the third section from Crossing into Spain and r V is roughly about 8 km The Climb to co the highest point is gradual then there are two options to get thees vas they’re much easier to follow the road or through a wooded area either way you will descend about 460 M [Music] okay for foreign speee [Music] [Music] the Val caros route from sanjan pport to rones vales is a 23.4 km grade 4 roughly about 7 hours to complete initially it follows a road for about 14 km the gradient is quite minimal in the early stages and by the time we reach vile Carlos we’ve only gained about 200 m in elevation in the 11.4 kilm that we have traveled [Music] w [Music] it’s quite easy to dismiss the valc caros route because it’s walking on a road with very few lay buys that makes it somewhat dangerous but as I found out in the second part of the stage crossing the Pyrenees on this route has some incredible moments of its own apart from Val Carlos at 11.4 km there are other small villages to have a break and something to [Music] [Music] eat from Val caros to when we finally exit the road is another 3 km then we descend down to a path near the river and that is where the Val Carlos route which lacks the high mountain views has its own unique charm as we follow the river upstream and the gradient increases to near 30° and that last 4 kilomet of climbing to the rones vas pass there is a total gain of 550 m and this section of the route is what stood out for me yes the Napoleon route has the mountain views but following this River upstream and looking up at the peaks with snow Then followed up by the shorter and more intense climb are definitely highlights that I’m glad that I did it I arrived in rones physically more tired than when I did the Napoleon route last August I welcome your comments and let me know your feelings of both roots