Day 1 - St Jean Pied de Port to Orisson

9/10/2023 Monday

Napoleon Route

8km, total ascent about 700m

Mountain roads and trails.

Sunny weather. 28 degrees celsius. Can see for miles.

Accommodation - Auberge Borda

Strenuous Uphill. Steep ascent. Given it was the first day walking, and given that I had split this stage into two, I actually felt walking not bad.

Wonderful views from all directions.

Saying hello to horses, cows and sheep eeps en route.

The very popular Refuge Orisson was closed today and tomorrow. No one seemed to know why. I planned to do coffee there, but not to be. Everyone filled up their water bottles from the water fountain there.

Auberge Borda is 1km further from Refuge Orisson. It opened in 2020, just when Covid hit. Owner/host Lorenzo is a one man band. He is receptionist/cleaner/chef/waiter.

They have only 14 beds, including three dormitory rooms with 4 beds each and its own bathroom. There is one double room with ensuite facilities. I booked the double room in April just to make sure I would get this room. Tariffs include Bed, dinner breakfast.

We were told to leave our backpacks, luggages, walking poles and hiking shoes in the big laundry room and put what we needed for the night in a white basket.

Simple communal Camino foods. We quickly introduced ourselves before eating.