French Way ( Camino Francés) ‧ Stage 1
French Way
On foot
33 stages
Information
About this stage
Saint Jean Pied de Port is the second most popular starting point for pilgrims on their journey. This ancient walled town, surrounded by majestic mountains, is where the different variants of the French Way that run through the south of France converge. This stage is both tough and spectacular like no other. Along the main route, known as the Napoleon Route, we cross the Pyrenees and climb up to the 1,430 metres of the Lepoeder pass; we then descend through a fascinating beech forest to Roncesvalles, at an altitude of 945 metres.
Recommendation Pilgrim
As mentioned, this is one of the hardest stages along the Way so please take as many precautions as possible. If you are not fit as a fiddle or if you have any mobility problems, we highly recommend you to take the Valcarlos diversion. Its pavement road will directly lead you to Roncesvalles avoiding any suffering caused by the slopes
This advice is also for those who ride on a bike as they will have to burden it due to the steep slopes. The ones who has chosen this alternative must bear in mind that a high percentage of the route will be ridden on the roadside ( N-135), so all feasible precautions must be taken to avoid any accident. Cyclists should be careful when descending Bentarneta Mountain. It is recommended to take the longest signposted route towards Ibañete top.
For those without a proper fisical training it is recommended to start the route from Roncesvalles.
Distance and elevation
Stage profile
Route
Itinerary
Km 0 ‧ Saint Jean Pied de Port
In France, the Camino is signposted differently: GR-65 markings (red and white), although we will also see the yellow arrows. After crossing the river Nive we come out onto the Rue d’Espagne, cross the Porte d’Espagne and continue straight ahead to take a local road on the right that climbs steeply uphill, signposted “Route de Napoleon”. This route takes its name from the fact that it was the passage of Napoleon’s troops in the invasion of Spain, which also coincides with the Via Aquitaine, the ancient Roman road from Bordeaux to Astorga.
Local Information
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Km 5 ‧ Honto
At the exit of Honto we take a shortcut on the left hand side that avoids a big bend in the road. We return to it and follow it for about fifteen minutes.
Km 7,6 ‧ Orisson
We continue along the same road surrounded by a beautiful landscape of alpine meadows. Four kilometres further on we see the Virgin of Biakorri on the left, resting on a rock. We leave it on the right and continue straight on along the same road. After 2 kilometres we leave the road and follow a path on the right hand side, passing by the Urdanarre cross.
Km 16,2 ‧ Collado de Bentartea
We leave the Roldán fountain on the left and follow a track through a beech forest until we reach the stone cairn that marks the entrance to Navarre. Then, on the right, we take the track that takes us to the Lepoeder pass. If visibility is good, we will be able to see the small village of Roncesvalles.
Km 20,2 ‧ Collado de Lepoeder
There are two possible routes to go down to Roncesvalles: either through an impressive beech forest, descending steeply down the right-hand side of the road and then taking the path that goes off to the left, crossing the same road a few metres further on, or the second option, which turns off at the Alto de Ibañeta; we can either follow the road or go directly along the path that goes down the right-hand side of the road to the Alto de Ibañeta, from where we complete the descent by following a path on the left-hand side of the national road.
Km 24,2 ‧ Roncesvalles
Local Information
Police, Medical Care, What to See, Where to Eat…
