trail markers and the ways over the Pyrenees.

[pieter pannevis]

Dear all,

The way over the Pyrenees from St Jean is threefold.
One is the way "under" by following the D 953, the carretera, to Arneguy/
Valcarlos to Roncevalles. Out of St Jean follow the road to your right
passing the car park at your left; you do NOT leave by the Porta with Maria.
The way gets to the border and is well marked after that by blue markers
with the logo of a star and a walking pilgrim. As long as you stay to the
road there is no problem of getting lost, but the cars can make a nuisance.
When the weather is bad you can opt for this road. From the Spanish border
there is a footpath, which now and then intersects with the road. This is
where the blue signs come in.

The two other options are much harder, but much more rewarding and can be
done easily however it may take its toll later in the progressing days of
walking. Do not ever try to do this alone in bad weather or for that cause
just alone. The weather can change very suddenly in the mountains and after
some initial buildings and a hamlet called Esterncuby (with a small
alberque) there is nothing, even no cover whatsoever. At the top at the
border you find water (keep there to the right, other wise the track takes
you into the mountains and NOT to Roncevalles.

You leave St. Jean by the Porta, over the river Nive, or even better and
more clearly at the car park left and follow the road, which gets up
suddenly quite steep. This road is the D 301. Keep on the road and you'll be
fine. It's NOT marked only when you get halfway it intersects with the GR 65
(marked red and white). From there on keep in mind that you should see these
red and white signs now and then. Also there are now the yellow markers half
way there is a road to your right, which is leading back to Arneguy down the
valley. You pass the statue of St Mary at your left.
At the top you leave the road for a small footpath at your right within
sight of a small cross with a fence and it takes you between two peaks to
the border with the aforementioned water tap. If you stay on the road you
get into the mountains away from Roncevalles

Leaving St Jean you have the option of taking the trial the earlier called
GR 65, which is indicated by red white markers (be sure you have the GR 65,
for the GR 10 is also leaving from St jean). This is a rather difficult
trail ending up in a steep hill in the woods and finally getting to the road
(the D 301) halfway.

Having passed the border (keeping the tap to your left) the trail is easy
for 3 miles or so then suddenly drops steeply into the woods (you can see if
its; clear the roofs of the monasteries from there)

A detailed map can be obtained by mailing me off-list.
Due to detail required it is a rather heavy file!

Ultreya to you all and good preps!
Pieter from Holland