Pilgrims on the road and friends along the way send me changes every day, and they go out the same day. The Camino de Invierno app carries all of it offline, and it's still being built — new features arrive routinely.
Get the appThe Alto del Perdon (756 m) is crowned by a line of wind turbines and a famous iron sculpture by the Navarrese artist Vicente Galbete, installed in 1996. It shows a procession of pilgrims through the ages — medieval walkers, merchants on horseback, a solitary figure representing the centuries of decline, and modern pilgrims at the rear. The inscription reads: "Donde se cruza el camino del viento con el de las estrellas" — where the path of the wind crosses that of the stars.
On a clear day the views from the summit are outstanding: the Pyrenees behind you to the east, the route ahead dropping into the valley toward Puente la Reina, and nearly 40 wind turbines sharing the ridgeline. This is the highest point for the next 170 km.
The descent on the far side deserves respect. The path drops steeply on loose, rocky ground that becomes slippery when wet. The worst section is the first kilometer — more rocky than steep, but it demands careful footing. Take your time, especially if it's been raining. Trekking poles earn their weight here. The surface has been improved in recent years but it still punishes rushed footwork.
The pass is exposed and wind can be fierce — gusts strong enough to knock you off balance are not uncommon. In winter or bad weather, the descent can be genuinely dangerous. There is no water, no shade, and no shelter between Zariquiegui and Uterga — plan accordingly.
The name comes from the Ermita de Nuestra Senora del Perdon that once stood at the summit. A legend tells of a thirsty pilgrim who was tempted by the devil on the climb — the devil offered to reveal a hidden spring in exchange for the pilgrim's soul. The pilgrim refused, and Santiago himself appeared to offer water at a better price.
The legend captures something real about this exposed ridge: water has always been scarce here, and the pass has been a test for pilgrims since the earliest days of the route. The Hospitallers maintained the path on the Pamplona side, providing what protection they could on an inherently exposed crossing.
The descent from the Alto del Perdon is steep and rocky — the most challenging footing on this section of the Frances. Allow about 45 minutes to reach Uterga. The surface is loose stone and compacted earth, rutted by runoff. In wet weather it becomes genuinely treacherous. Once you reach the valley floor the walking eases dramatically, and from Uterga onward the terrain is flat farmland all the way to Puente la Reina.
22. July 2025 - 21:17
If fit and with suitable shoes and pack, running this downhill may make things more comfortable. I made it down from El Perdon in less than 10 mins!
3. May 2025 - 11:25
I got up early and walked up from Zariquiegui to get there by sunrise. Was the first one there and it was well worth the effort.
19. September 2019 - 8:24
about 1.5 km of the way up from zariquegui is loose, big-sized gravel, and the trail is very steep in some portions, so be very careful! the walking stick is essential to prevent sliding & slipping. going down is worse, same conditions. Good luck!
2. September 2019 - 10:18
Going down took more time and energy then going up. Very lose rocks and steep too.
28. May 2019 - 16:14
There was non food truck at Alto del Perdón on May 28.
2. May 2019 - 21:40
While there is a food truck of sorts, it’s been downgraded to canned sodas and packaged danishes. But you can get a stamp for your pilgrim passport.
Esta entidad ha sido beneficiaria de una ayuda del Programa de incentivos a la movilidad eficiente y sostenible (MOVES III), gestionado por la Xunta de Galicia a través del Instituto Enerxético de Galicia (INEGA) en el marco del Real Decreto 266/2021, y cofinanciada por la Unión Europea — NextGenerationEU, dentro del Plan de Recuperación, Transformación y Resiliencia.