CF01 - Saint Jean de Pied de Port - Roncesvalles - 21 km
Itinerary
Departing from the “Iglesia de Nuestra Señora” (Church of Our Lady), in the old quarter of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, you have to cross the bridge over “Río Nive” (River Nive) and go out through the commercial “Rue d’Espagne” (Street of Spain). Finally, you will leave the old walled enclosure through the “Porte d’Espagne” (Gate of Spain).
Here you will have the first crossroads: you can either follow the Napoleon Route or the Valcarlos Route (by the road).
You will depart from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port following the N-133, leaving it soon to cross the “Petite Nive”. Being always on the riverside and close to the road, the path goes deep into the narrow “Valle de Valcarlos” (Valley of Valcarlos), crosses the frontier in Las Ventas and reaches Arneguy after 8km walking. Then, you will have to take the C-135 and follow it to Valcarlos, 2km away from Arneguy.
The road goes on for 8 km, and then you will leave it turning left when you reach the “Barranco de la Ortiga” (Nettle Canyon), through the Path of Zabaleta. After crossing a pool, you will have to start a hard climb on the left edge of the Nive, in the midst of hazelnut trees, beeches and chestnuts, always under a high-power line.
2 Km after this, you will get to the road again through the “Casa del Guardiano” (House of the Guard) and then you will leave it immediately though “Revuelta de Ferrán” (Ferran’s Riot). Walking about one km more, you will get to “Alto de Ibañeta”, from where you will descend by the C-135 to Roncesvalles.
Information about Roncesvalles:
Website: http://www.roncesvalles.es/
External info sources about this route and recommended websites:
Federación Española de Asociaciones del Camino de Santiago
Very useful guide: Camino de Santiago. National Geographic
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To download a route in PDF format you must be registered , this is a simple and free process also enjoy other benefits.
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