Full Description
A guidebook to walking the Via Podiensis (GR65) pilgrimage route, the major French variant of the Camino de Santiago or Way of St James. The route covers 735km (457 miles) through southern France from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, where walkers can connect to the Camino Frances to continue to Santiago de Compostela. The trail takes 4-6 weeks to hike and is suitable for any reasonably fit walker.
The route is described from north to south in 28 stages, each between 16 and 35km (10-22 miles) in length. Two major variants, the Célé Valley (GR651) and Rocamadour (GR6 and GR46), are also detailed as well as routes connecting to the Camino del Norte.
1:100,000 mapping plus larger-scale urban maps for key locations
GPX files available to download
Handy stage planning tables and pilgrim lodging listings help you plan your itinerary
Detailed information about refreshments and facilities along the route
Advice on planning and preparation
Contents
Overview map of the Via Podiensis Route summary tables Map key Introduction The stories of St James and St Roch The Via Podiensis: yesterday and today Regions encountered along the route A turbulent history Planning your walk Choosing your route When to go Preparation and planning Being a pilgrim Getting there and back Where to stay Tips for making the most of your walk What to pack Food and drink Postal services and baggage transportation Telephones and internet Other local facilities How to use this guide Route descriptions Route summary information Walking directions and waymarking Municipality information headings Accommodation listings Elevation profiles Maps GPX tracks Planning tools The Via Podiensis Stage 1 Le Puy-en-Velay to Montbonnet Stage 2 Montbonnet to Saugues Stage 3 Saugues to Domaine du Sauvage Stage 4 Domaine du Sauvage to Aumont-Aubrac Stage 5 Aumont-Aubrac to Nasbinals Stage 6 Nasbinals to Saint-Côme-d'Olt Stage 7 Saint-Come-d'Ôlt to Estaing Stage 8 Estaing to Conques Stage 9 Conques to Livinhac-le-Haut Stage 10 Livinhac-le-Haut to Figeac Stage 11 Figeac to Cajarc Stage 12 Cajarc to Varaire Stage 13 Varaire to Cahors Stage 14 Cahors to Lascabanes Stage 15 Lascabanes to Lauzerte Stage 16 Lauzerte to Moissac Stage 17 Moissac to Auvillar Stage 18 Auvillar to Lectoure Stage 19 Lectoure to Condom Stage 20 Condom to Éauze Stage 21 Éauze to Nogaro Stage 22 Nogaro to Aire-sur-l'Adour Stage 23 Aire-sur-l'Adour to Arzacq-Arraziguet Stage 24 Arzacq-Arraziguet to Arthez-de-Béarn Stage 25 Arthez-de-Béarn to Navarrenx Stage 26 Navarrenx to Aroue Stage 27 Aroue to Ostabat-Asme Stage 28 Ostabat-Asme to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port Célé Valley variant Stage C1 Figeac to Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie Stage C2 Espagnac-Sainte-Eulalie to Marcilhac-sur-Célé Stage C3 Marcilhac-sur-Célé to Cabrerets Stage C4 Cabrerets to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie Stage C5 Saint-Cirq-Lapopie to Cahors Rocamadour variant Stage R1 Figeac to Lacapelle-Marival Stage R2 Lacapelle-Marival to Gramat Stage R3 Gramat to Rocamadour Stage R4 Rocamadour to Labastide-Murat Stage R5 Labastide-Murat to Vers Stage R6 Vers to Cahors Connecting to the Camino del Norte The GR10 The Voie Nive Bidassoa Appendix A Stage planning tables Appendix B Useful sources of information Appendix C English-French glossary Appendix D Suggestions for further reading Appendix E Major festivals along the way
