Sarrance lies wedged into the valley, with a church and a monastery that give the village a face from the moment you arrive. You come in with sturdy legs and a contented mind. Behind you lies Oloron, still urban for the first few hours, then getting greener and greener.
It’s an average day, but the short climbs add up: over 590 metres of ascent. Never for long at a stretch, but there’s always another hill. In between, you walk quiet sections along the valley, with the Pyrenees slowly drawing closer. That pulls you along nicely, until you notice your legs are feeling it after all.
With almost 7 hours of walking, it’s wise to factor in your breaks. That way you won’t arrive at the monastery only in the late afternoon.