Stage 1, The French Way
A very short stage of great scenic beauty, where the Pyrenees are crossed, making this stage one of the most physically demanding. There are two options to enter Spain, the Napoléon route and the Valcarlos route. The choice depends on the weather and the physical and technical fitness of the cyclist.
The Route de Napoléon is the original route used in the old days, and is the route that pilgrims crossed on foot. On it you have to overcome large slopes from the beginning of the stage and almost certainly put your foot down at some point, not only because of the slope but also because of the technical difficulty. All the effort is rewarded with the impressive views that this route offers (it is important to take into account the weather changes that can occur in a very short time in the middle of the Pyrenees).
The Valcarlos route is the most physically comfortable option as the route is mostly on road and at a much lower altitude than the traditional variant. In winter and when the weather is bad, it is almost obligatory to choose this route. Great views, villages, meadows, forests and beautiful landscapes cross until you reach one of the most emblematic places on the Camino de Santiago, Roncesvalles.
