Valcarlos to Roncesvalles

We left Valcarlos with gray skies and a steady breeze. The first 5 km was along the main highway. We had to don our rain gear about two hours into the trek, although we could have probably gotten by without it. We left the highway and headed down a trail to a creek bottom, only to head up (and up, and up, making me very grateful for the training hikes all summer).
We had planned to arrive in time for the noon mass, although we were 10  minutes late. The  church is a gorgeous gothic style. We later attended the 6pm mass in which the pilgrim blessing was given.

Sheep grazing in the high meadows.

The church where mass was said.

Making my way to the top of the ridge.

St. Jean to Valcarlos

We are starting with "easy days".  Only 8 miles today, but most of it either up or down on steep asphalt.  As you can see in the photos below, it was beautiful country, with dairy cattle and sheep scattered across the hills.  Ruth says it was so green it almost hurt her eyes.  Started out foggy and about 52F, but the sun burned through and warmed to 77F.  We are staying in a very nice municiple refuge, with a great kitchen.  We are planning spaghetti for supper.

Leaving St. Jean

Near the France-Spain border

Looking up the valley into Spain

The town of Valcarlos, Spain

Looking out the window of our one-night home