{"id":541,"date":"2018-06-14T10:24:02","date_gmt":"2018-06-14T15:24:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/santiagoinlove.com\/en\/?p=541"},"modified":"2025-02-08T06:06:34","modified_gmt":"2025-02-08T11:06:34","slug":"cut-in-half-saint-jean-pied-de-port-roncesvalles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/santiagoinlove.com\/en\/cut-in-half-saint-jean-pied-de-port-roncesvalles\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Cut in half the stage from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Why cut in half<\/strong> the stage from Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles? It’s one of the most beautiful stretch<\/strong> of the many Caminos de Santiago: walking through the Pyrenees mountains, splendid views on the surrounding Basque Country, herds of sheep and horses roaming free, ethereal sensations, excitement to cross over Spain\u2026 and it’s absolutely doable in 1 day<\/strong>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, it’s still no walk in the park<\/strong>. It’s long stage with a huge incline, which makes it one of the most difficult of the Caminos. It requires great efforts to complete on a good day and even more so when the weather is bad. There’s also the stressful idea of having to walk over a literal mountain and the fear to arrive in Roncesvalles too late to have a bed. All of it for most pilgrims’ 1st day on the Camino!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Worry not though! If walking Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles in 1 go seems to much for you, there are not one but several easy ways to cut in half this mythical stage<\/strong> and fully enjoy it! Let’s review your options together!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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\u2705 Post checked and updated on February 2025<\/strong><\/em>
\u2139\ufe0f Information on this page are regularly reviewed but the Camino is constantly changing. Please make sure the info are still valid at the time of your pilgrimage<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Accommodations along the Camino, of course<\/a>
A lesser-known option: shuttle services<\/a>
To pick with wisdom and humility: camping out<\/a>
Recap<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/a>Accommodations along the Camino, of course<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This is already well known. The idea is to stop at one of the existing accommodation between Saint Jean Pied de Port and Roncesvalles<\/strong>. More and more pilgrims decide to go for this easy option!
Accommodations can be found on the high route through the mountain (the Napoleon route) and<\/em> on the the low route through the villages of Arn\u00e9guy and Valcarlos (valley route or Valcarlos route).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

!!! Warning !!!<\/strong><\/span> If you chose this option to cut in half your stage, make sure the place you pick is open<\/strong> at the time you’ll be walking! Double-check the information below. Also note that these stops are more and more popular: consider booking your bed ahead<\/strong>, especially during the high season of the pilgrimage (May and September).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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On the Napoleon route, through the mountain<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udecf\ufe0f The Ferme Ithurburia in Honto<\/strong> is the first option after Saint Jean Pied de Port where you can stop for a night.
It’s open from April to October<\/strong> and is at about 5.5km (3.5 miles, ~1h30 walking)<\/strong> from the Saint Jean Pied de Port. It offers accommodation and food<\/strong> as well as some other services.
Contact and reservations: Jeanne Ourtiague \ud83d\udd17 website<\/a> and Booking<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udecf\ufe0f The Kayola g\u00eete<\/strong> is a bit further on the way.
It’s open from April to October<\/strong> and is at about 7km (4.3 miles, ~1h45 walking)<\/strong> from Saint Jean Pied de Port. Kayola is managed by the refuge of Orisson but the g\u00eete only offers accommodation<\/strong>. It’s possible to book a meal at Orisson<\/em><\/strong> but you’ll have to get there<\/em> and back by your own means (1km up to Orisson and 1km back down to Kayola).
Contact and reservations \ud83d\udd17 website<\/a> and Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udecf\ufe0f For a long time, the refuge of Orisson<\/strong> has been the last possible option to stop and sleep before Roncesvalles.
It’s open from April to October<\/strong> and is at about 8km (4.9 miles, ~2h walking)<\/strong> from Saint Jean Pied de Port and about 1km after the Kayola g\u00eete. You’ll find accommodation, food<\/strong> and some other services there.
Contact and reservations \ud83d\udd17 website<\/a> and Facebook page<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udecf\ufe0f The Auberge Borda<\/strong> is now the last accommodation available on the Napoleon route!
This brand new albergue will have its first season in 2021. It’s at about 9km (~2h15 walking)<\/strong> from Saint Jean Pied de Port and about 1km after the refuge of Orisson. You’ll find accommodation and food<\/strong> there.
Contact and reservation \ud83d\udd17 website<\/a>, Facebook page<\/a> and Booking<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Orisson, the most famous stop between Saint Jean Pied de Port and Roncesvalles <\/em>
Pic: Marion, Santiago in Love ~ (CC) BY-NC-SA<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
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On the low route, through the valley<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Prefer this itinerary from November to March when the Napoleon route is closed<\/a> or from April to October if there’s bad weather<\/span>!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Arn\u00e9guy<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

First stop on this route, at about 8km (4.9 miles,<\/strong><\/strong> ~2h walking)<\/strong> from Saint Jean Pied de Port.. There are no facilities dedicated to pilgrims<\/strong> in the village. However, you’ll find several accommodation and restaurant options. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

No pilgrim-only option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udecf\ufe0f Maison Hargina<\/strong>, in the village and on the Camino.
Contact and reservations \ud83d\udd17 Pays Basque Tourism website<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udecf\ufe0f H\u00f4tel Clementenia<\/strong>, in the village and on the Camino.
Contact and reservations \ud83d\udd17 website<\/a> and Booking<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Valcarlos<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Second (and main!) possibility for a stop on the low route. The village is at about 11.5km (7.1 miles, ~2h45 walking)<\/strong> from Saint Jean Pied de Port. It offers various options regarding accommodation, restaurants and services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udecf\ufe0f Albergue Municipal Tur\u00edstico<\/strong>, the only accommodation entirely dedicated to pilgrims. Open all year round<\/strong>.
Contact and reservations \ud83d\udd17 website<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\ud83d\udecf\ufe0f Private accommodations<\/strong> also welcome pilgrims:<\/p>\n\n\n\n