Saint Jean Pied de Port to Roncesvalles: Day 1

I hardly slept last night knowing this would be my hardest day on the Camino. The Napoleon Route takes you over the Pyrenees in an extremely strenuous uphill walk that took me close to nine hours. By far the hardest physical challenge I have ever undertaken.

The paths wind through gravel roads, dirt roads, and country roads, but the walk rewards you with stunning views in all directions. Valleys filled with fog, open hill and moorland, woodland—all so very green everywhere you look, unlike anything I have ever seen. When you finally reach the peak of the ascent, you are at the top of the Pyrenees mountains.

But what goes up must come down, and I would have to say the descent was much more dangerous than the ascent. Extremely steep, very rocky dirt paths through the forest. Your legs are already spent from the climb, which makes the downhill even harder. I have a newfound respect for hiking poles.

Climbing up, you come across a place called Orisson—I say "place" because it was a single brick building, but you could get water and basic food there as well as use an actual bathroom. It seemed to be a popular resting point. Then out of the blue, completely unexpected, there was a food truck at the peak. I had read about it, but it was just so out of place you had to laugh. No hot food, but fruit, water, orange juice, and he stamped your Camino passport for you.

You also walked by a tiny emergency shed that had firewood stacked in it for any pilgrim to use in case caught in a storm.

Overall, it was a very difficult but very rewarding day. I am glad it is over with though.