• ShaunLCCamino de Santiago - May 2025Traveler
    Sunrise over the Pyrenees on a blustery but clear morning
    We were warned, Pilgrims breakfast "between 7 and 7.30, after there will be no more".My constant companion on my solo journeyThe only way is up up up to the top of the passThe Virgin of Orisson1Very hardy animals up here, my thermometer was reading 11deg but there was a decent wind chill tooAnd we continue up up upMore up up upWalking the contour path through the beech forest and in thy e wind shadow was beautifulThe Lepoeder viewpoint, the high point of the pass. Below is my destination, Burguete-AuritzDown down down through more beech forest to RoncesvallesThe pretty church of Santiago as I enter RoncesvallesE old pilgrim hospital in Roncesvalles is now a pilgrim hostel, an alburgueInside the church of Santa Maria with beautiful stained glass windowsSancho VII (The Strong) lies at rest in the chapel of St AugustineLots to eat for these horses. A month or two ago this would have been under snow.Ticking off the km, only 790 to go apparentlyLovely walking track between Roncesvalles and Burguette-AuritzThe iconic shell wayfinders in Spain, in France there were painted red and white stripes

    Day 2 - I walked over the Pyrenees

    April 29 in France ⋅ ⛅ 12 °C

    Orisson to Burguete Auritz
    22.5km
    Refuge Orisson to Burguete-Auritz
    Woke up early enough to see the sun rise, and to join the Pilgrims breakfast at 7am sharp. The alburgue hosts were pretty clear about their timings and expectations, but they are experienced and it worked perfectly.
    On the road by 7.30 in windy conditions with strong gusts, but skies were blue again for another stunning day. The views just got better and better as I climbed.
    I loved the climb though, not too strenuous although there were some steep bits. Walking through the beech forest out of the wind was great.
    The Lepoeder high point was a real box-tick moment, everything from here is down, and the views over the Navarre valley and seeing my destination was great.
    Roncesvalles was a good place for a deserved Sangria with my lunch sandwich, and a look around the pilgrim complex, before starting the last few km to the hotel.
    Moment of the day undoubtedly was conquering the Pyrenees - I have been planning for a long time and now can say that “I walked over the Pyrenees”. Objective #1 well and truly achieved.    Read more