| What is it? |
La Route Napoleon is the gorgeous, yet dangerous, path over the Pyrenees from St. Jean Pied-de-Port to Roncesvalles! |
| What makes it beautiful? |
To me, it’s the isolation and the jaggedness that make this mountain pass beautiful. Sure, I was terrified of getting lost, snowbound, and eaten by vultures, even though they were circling below, but the stark peaks bring amazing views, especially the Virgen de Orisson, who teeters precariously on the edge of the abyss, watching over travelers as they pass! |
| HOW CAN I HELP KEEP IT BEAUTIFUL? |
LOTS OF WAYS!
- You can be a responsible visitor! Pick up any litter you find, and make sure to respect the waymarkers! You may save a life!
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| How do I find it? |
Follow the arrows to the left as you exit St. Jean Pied-de-Port, and they will take you down a long road through farmland, then up, up, up, into the mountains! From there, follow the markers closely!
From Lyon: ~498mi (802km) — 8.3hrs
From Marseille: ~443mi (713km) — 7.4hrs
From Paris: ~518mi (834km) — 8.7hrs
From Strasbourg: ~757mi (1219km) — 12.7hrs |
| When should I go? |
Go in late spring, summer, or early autumn, because the route is not only officially closed in winter but also potentially deadly! |
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