FULL CAMINO LE PUY WAY

The full Camino Le Puy Way takes you along rural routes in the south west of France and follows

the Grand Randonnée 65 from Le-Puy-en-Velay to St Jean Pied de Port, situated in the foothills of

the Pyrenees Mountains and from where the Camino Frances begins.

It is well worth taking on the challenge of walking the full Camino Le Puy Way as on your journey you will

pass through many distinct and unique regions and landscapes, from the volcanic terrain of the Velay

Mountains, to the stark high plateau of the Aubrec, to the Causses de Quercy and its deeply carved

limestone valleys and to the luxuriant valley of the Lot.

En route there are constant reminders of an historic past with many references to the thousands upon

thousands of pilgrims who walked the same routes in the Middle Ages in order to reach Santiago de

Compostela. You will cross ancient bridges that were once traversed by these pilgrims, you will see

medieval churches, abbeys and cathedrals dedicated to St James and you will encounter many intriguing

places, such as the walk between the villages of Estaing and St Côme d’Olt, locations so valued that they

are now World UNESCO Heritage Sites.

The full Camino Le Puy Way is 38 days and includes 37 nights in comfortable 1 and 2* hotels, 37 dinners,

37 breakfasts, baggage transfers, a guide book, maps, and a comprehensive information pack. This tour

can also be split into different stages or into approximately 2 week increments. On this factsheet you will

find a summary of the different stages, however Macs Adventure does have factsheets available for each

individual section upon request.

• Discovering Le-Puy-en-Velay an ancient town set within a volcanic landscape

• Enjoying the camaraderie of fellow hikers and pilgrims

• Beholding the snow-capped vistas of the distant Pyrenees Mountains

• Encountering World UNESCO Heritage Sites along the route

• Exploring a huge variety of landscapes, from the stark Aubrec plateau to the luxuriant valley of the Lot

• Sampling the local specialities such as Armagnac, fois gras, confit, cassoulet and truffles, plus the local Tursan red, white and rose wines

WHY CHOOSE MACS ADVENTURE?

Macs Adventure is a small, energetic company dedicated to delivering adventure excellence. We are

passionate about delivering outstanding walking holidays where every last detail is taken care of. As

active walkers with a passion for travel we understand what makes for an unforgettable adventure. Great

trails, breath-taking scenery and warm, welcoming accommodation, wonderful food and wine, all backed

up by outstanding customer service.

Each holiday we offer is unique, tailor made to meet your requirements. From your first contact with Macs

Adventure you will deal with a local specialist who knows the region intimately.

Tour Code: WFSCPW

Duration: 38 Days & 37 Nights

LE-PUY-EN-VELAY TO ST JEAN PIED DE PORT

SUMMARY

What’s Included? Accommodation: 37 Nights in 1 or 2* ho-tels. Meals: 37 Breakfasts & 37 dinners Information Pack: Guide book, detailed maps and detailed information pack. Emergency Support: 24/7 support from our area manager. Baggage Transfer: Baggage transfers are included.

Tour: Full Camino Le Puy Way Code: WFSCPW Type: Self-guided walk Price: See website Single Supplement: See website Dates: May to October Duration: 38 days & 37 nights Walking Days: 36 Start: Le-Puy-en-Velay Finish: St Jean Pied de Port Distance: ~742km Grade: Moderate

Is the Full Le Puy Camino for me? The different stages of this tour are rated between easy to moderate and moderate. However as this is a tour that has 36 days of consecutive walking it is rated moderate overall. You must be in very good physical shape to complete the whole pilgrim-age route. The daily distances are anywhere be-tween 13 and 33km, but the average is 20.6 per day. Towards the end of the tour there will be more elevation gains as you will be walking in the foot-hills of the Pyrenees.

FULL CAMINO LE PUY WAY

HIGHLIGHTS

Walking Days: 36

The full version of the Camino Le Puy Way is 38

days. For the purposes of this factsheet it has

been divided into 6 Stages and a summary of

the highlights has been described. As this tour

can be split into the different stages or into

approximately 2 week sections, Macs Adventure

does have brochures available for each

individual section upon request.

STAGE 1

Le-Puy-en-Velay to Nasbinals

Your journey begins in Le-Puy-en-Velay, a

pilgrimage centre since the Middle Ages, set

within a volcanic landscape and famed for its

rocky peaks that rise up from the valley floor.

Pass through the Velay Mountains and the

Margeride plateau, areas of natural beauty,

green valleys and rocky landscapes. You will

also walk through characteristic villages and past

secluded hamlets, ancient stone crosses and

pastures hemmed in by stone walls.

STAGE 2

Nasbinals to Conques

This is one of the most intriguing stages of the

Camino Le Puy Way as you initially walk through

the stark, high plateau of the Aubrec where you

will find tranquil landscapes and isolated

farmsteads and villages. This is then contrasted

with the Lot Valley, your next destination with its

ever-changing landscapes of woods, meadows,

gorges, cliffs, vineyards and orchards.

The route also takes you from St Côme d’Olt and

Estaing in the upper valley, part of which, the

Pays d’Olt, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

These two villages, where you will spend the

night, are also designated as two of the Most

Beautiful Villages in France. This stage of the

Camino Le Puy Way finishes in Conques, a

village that clings to the walls of a steep ravine

over the River Lot.

STAGE 3

Conques to Cahors

Throughout this part of your journey you will be

crossing the Parc régional des Causses du

Quercy, a protected environment and a

landscape of deeply-carved valleys,

underground rivers, cliffs, caves and

depressions.

Of particular interest is encountering the

L’Aiguille de Cingle, an unusual octagonal

column of rock that supposedly acted as a

beacon for pilgrims. The trails are also full of

picturesque villages, such as Montredon, Figeac,

Cajarc and Cahors, the capital of the Lot region.

Sit on the terrace of a local restaurant sampling

the delicacies of this region which include

saffron, truffles, walnuts and farm-raised Quercy

lamb.

STAGE 4

Cahors to Lectoure

Beginning in Cahors, this tour crosses the

limestone plateau of the Quercy Blanc and takes

you through the Garonne river plain with its

green round hills. This area has a rich historical

heritage and nowhere is this more apparent than

in the well-preserved Abbey Church of St Pierre

in Moissac, an important pilgrimage site

Spend a night in the delightful village of Auvillar

which has a charming cobblestone plaza and a

medieval circular market. This town overlooks

the River Garonne and is classified as one of

France’s Most Beautiful Villages

STAGE 5

Lectoure to Aire sur l’Adour

This part of your journey takes you through the

regions of La Gers and Gascony, cultivated

landscapes of Armagnac vineyard’s and

countryside well-known for its gastronomy. Not

only can you appreciate the fact that you will be

in the heart of Gascony with its rolling hills, but

you will also encounter the gorgeous terrain of

La Gers, which is often called the “Tuscany of

France”

Perhaps you would like to savour a glass of floc,

the local aperitif based on the same recipe since

the 16th century, or relish a great meal of local

delicacies such as fois gras and cassoulet.

Traditional bastide towns were built in many

Day Route km

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

16

17

18

19

20

21

22

23

24

25

26

27

28

29

30

31

32

33

34

35

36

37

38

Arrive in Le Puy

Walk to St Privat d’Allier

Walk to Sauges

Walk to Les Faux

Walk to Aumont Aubrac

Walk to Nasbinals

Walk to St Chely d’Aubrec

Walk to St Come d’Olt

Walk to Estaing

Walk to Espeyrac

Walk to Conques

Walk to Livinhac

Walk to Figeac

Walk to Cajarc

Walk to Limogne-en-Quercy

Walk to Lalbenque

Walk to Cahors

Walk to Montcuq

Walk to Durfort

Walk to Moissac

Walk to Auvillar

Walk to Miradoux

Walk to Lectoure

Walk to La Romieu

Walk to Condom

Walk to Montreal du Gers

Walk to Eauze

Walk to Nogaro

Walk to Aire sur l’Adour

Walk to Miramont Sensacq

Walk to Larreule

Walk to Maslacq

Walk to Navarrenx

Walk to Lichos

Walk to St Palais

Walk to Larceveau

Walk to St Jean Pied de

Port

Onward travel

- 24

20

28

24

26

17

17

21

24

12

21

29

32

18

20

26

33

26

17

21

17

15

19

16

17

16

20

29

17

28

28

23

15

25 17

18

-

LE-PUY-EN-VELAY TO ST JEAN PIED DE PORT

DETAILED ITINERARY

FULL CAMINO LE PUY WAY

areas of south west France during the Hundred

Years War and Montreal du Gers is one of the

these traditional towns and where you will spend

a night.

STAGE 6

Aire sur l’Adour to St Jean Pied de Port

One of the major attractions of this section of the

route is Sauvelade, a Cistercian Abbey located in

a tiny hamlet and one of the most impressive

sights along the Camino Le Puy Way. This part

of your incredible journey also takes you through

two distinct regions, the Béarn and the French

Basque, with its unique culture, language and

traditions.

Incredibly you are now able to view the glorious

snow-capped Pyrenees in the distance as you

walk towards your goal, St Jean Pied de Port.

This fortified town is located only 8km from the

Spanish border and is also the beginning point of

the Camino Frances (should you wish to carry on

to Santiago de Compostela!).

Accommodation

On your 37 night, 38 day Full Camino Le Puy

Way self-guided walk in France you will stay in

comfortable 1 or 2* hotels. On occasion you may

not have en suite rooms.

Alternate accommodation

You might be booked into alternative

accommodations which are not listed in the

description. If those listed are unavailable the

alternative accommodation will be of the same or

better standard as those described.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

If you require single rooms within your party we

would be happy to accommodate you although

there is a single room supplement payable. Solo

walkers are also welcome.

Meals

Daily breakfasts and dinners at your hotels are

included. Breakfasts are buffet-style and dinners

will be the “meal of the day” at the hotel. If you

want a choice for dinner you can pay a

supplement. You can order packed lunches at

your hotel the evening before (ranging from €7 to

€10) or you can buy lunch in grocery’s, cafes and

restaurants en route.

Baggage Transfer

All baggage transfers are included. We request

that you have only one piece of luggage per

person and it should weigh only 15kg.

Navigation

This route is way marked and follows the GR65.

You will see red and white horizontal stripes on

the these markers and they can be found on sign

posts, rocks and on wooden posts.

You will be also be provided with a detailed guide

book and maps to help you find your way. As

always when walking you should be able to read

a map and use a compass in case of bad

weather.

Experience & Fitness

This tour is suitable for people that are in good

physical condition. It is rated moderate as there

are 36 days of consecutive walking. The average

daily distances are between 15 and 33km, but

the average daily distance is 20.6km. Also as

you enter the foothills of the Pyrenees there will

be some elevation gains and losses. You will

walk through vineyards, rolling hills, hamlets,

villages, alongside rivers and streams and over

rocky, volcanic landscapes. The terrain will be

quite smooth most of the time (except for a few

rocky sections), but may be slippery when wet.

Equipment

Our pre-departure information pack has detailed

advice and a kit list on what to take. This

includes good waterproof gear, walking shoes/

boots, and lots of other useful bits and bobs.

Travel Insurance

It is a requirement of booking this tour with Macs

Adventure that you have suitable travel

insurance which covers you for the activity and

emergency evacuation and hospital care.

Getting to Le-Puy-en-Velay

The closest international airport to Le-Puy-en-

Velay is Lyon Airport which is approximately

150km away. Many flights from the UK and other

gateways in Europe fly into Lyon. From here you

can take a train to Le-Puy-en-Velay which takes

approximately 2 and a half hours. Up to date

schedule and fare information can be found on

the SNCF website.

You can also drive to Le-Puy-en-Velay. Parking

is available in an underground car park and costs

approximately €17.50 per week.

Getting from St Jean Pied de Port

When departing from St Jean Pied de Port it is

possible to take the train to all of the

recommended airports. To Pau Airport, take the

train to Dax and from Dax to Pau (from here you

will need to take a taxi to the airport which costs

around €20). To Biarritz Airport you can take a

train to Bayonne, then another train to Biarritz

and from here a bus to the airport. To Bordeaux

Airport you can also take a train to Bayonne,

then onto Bordeaux and a bus to the airport.

Again for train schedules please check the SNCF

website

FULL CAMINO LE PUY WAY

LE-PUY-EN-VELAY TO ST JEAN PIED DE PORT

HOLIDAY INFORMATION

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Availability

This trip is available to start on any day from May

to October.

Price

Please see our website for current prices.

Included:

• 37 Nights in either 1 or 2* hotels

• 37 Breakfasts

• 37 Dinners

• Baggage transfers

• Detailed maps, a guide book and information pack.

• Organisational assistance and backup from our area manager in France and our office

Excluded:

• Travel to Le-Puy-en-Velay

• Travel from St Jean Pied de Port

• Lunches, drinks and snacks

• Personal equipment

• Travel insurance

• Mountain rescue / emergency assistance

Optional Extras:

• Additional nights before or after the holiday

• Single room supplement if single room required.

• Solo traveller supplement (if applicable)

When you are ready to book you can do so securely online at www.macsadventure.com or by phone: +44 (0) 141 530 8886.

Financial Security

In accordance with "The Package Travel,

Package Holidays and Package Tours

Regulations1992" all passengers booking with

Macs Adventure Ltd are fully protected for the

initial deposit and subsequently the balance of all

monies paid to us, including repatriation if

required (this insurance will not cover repatriation

to the country of origin for the passengers

outside of the EU), arising from cancellation or

curtailment of your travel arrangements due to

the insolvency of Macs Adventure Ltd

Book with Confidence. We are a member of

ABTA which means you have the benefit of

ABTA’s assistance and Code of Conduct. We

provide full financial protection for your money

ABTA Member Statement

Macs Adventure Holidays is a Member of ABTA.

ABTA and ABTA members help holidaymakers

to get the most from their travel and assist when

things don’t go according to plan. We are obliged

to maintain a high standard of service to you by

ABTA’s Code of Conduct.

For more information on ABTA, the Code of

Conduct and the arbitration scheme available to

you if you have a complaint, contact ABTA, 30

Park Street, London SE1 9EQ, tel 020 3117

0581 www.abta.com

We operate trips in some of the most beautiful areas of the world and try to operate in an environmentally aware and sustainable manner. We do this by following our M.A.C.S. Responsible travel policy. The full policy is available online .

FULL CAMINO LE PUY WAY

LE-PUY-EN-VELAY TO ST JEAN PIED DE PORT

HOW TO BOOK

BOOK WITH CONFIDENCE

PRICE & AVAILABILITY M.A.C.S. RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL