Camino de Santiago Day 1: What to Expect Crossing the Pyrenees

Can you complete the hardest day of the Camino de Santiago without training? Join me as I walk 27 km from Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles, crossing the Pyrenees into Spain on Day 1 of the Camino Francés. The adventure begins before sunrise and immediately heads uphill towards Orisson. Along the way, we climb above the clouds, battle the heat, cross the Pyrenean summit and face the steep descent into Roncesvalles. Day 1 is physically and emotionally demanding, but the extraordinary views make every difficult step worthwhile. If you are preparing for your first Camino—or wondering whether you could ever complete one—this video will show you what the opening stage is really like. Sometimes you simply have to take that first step of faith, discover your determination and keep walking. 🥾 In this video: • Leaving Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port before sunrise • The climb towards Refuge Orisson • Walking above the clouds • Crossing the Pyrenees into Spain • Choosing between the two descent routes • Arriving at the Roncesvalles pilgrim albergue • Honest reactions after completing Day 1 Could you take on this Camino stage? Tell me in the comments—and subscribe to follow the rest of our journey across Spain. CHAPTERS 00:00 Can I cross the Pyrenees without training? 00:53 Leaving Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port 02:17 The steep climb towards Orisson 03:31 Walking above the clouds 04:54 Food truck stop and the final ascent 05:59 Crossing the summit into Spain 07:39 Choosing the forest descent 09:18 Arriving in Roncesvalles 10:30 Was the hardest day worth it? #CaminoDeSantiago #CaminoFrances #TheGingerVicar