Camino Francés - Day 2: Saint Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles
I left my gîte at 7 AM with my friend and began the climb into the Pyrenees. The first 8 km were a steady uphill stretch, made tougher by the humidity from last night’s rain. Drenched in sweat, I was relieved to reach Orisson after about two hours and took a short break to cool off.
From there, the walk to Roncesvalles felt easier. The sun came out, and the path wound through open fields where cows, horses, sheep, and even a few pigs grazed quietly.
For the descent, I took the right-hand path instead of the steeper forest trail on the left, as advised by the pilgrims’ office. It added about 400 meters but was much easier on my knees. Later, chatting with other pilgrims at the albergue, I was glad I’d made that choice as someone had fell and injured their knee.
Route Overview
Distance: 25.19 km (Gîte Bidean → Roncesvalles Pilgrim’ Hostel)
Total elevation gain: 1,339 m
Duration: 7 hr 7 min (with breaks 8 hr 8 min)
Difficulty: Challenging
Cost Breakdown
Accommodation: Roncesvalles Pilgrim’ Hostel (booked direct) — €33
Food: €2
