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.
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.
Conoce los diferentes caminos, los puntos de inicio y número de etapas, señalizacion, tipos de alojamiento, cómo preparar tu mochila y un montón de datos curiosos.
Más de 40 páginas de informacion práctica sobre los diferentes caminos, los puntos inicio y número de etapas, señalización, tipos de alojamiento, cómo preparar tu mochila y un montón de datos curiosos.
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