skyline of puy en velay where the camino de santiago starts

Camino de Santiago, Le Puy en Velay to Aumont Aubrac

Level
3
Distance
96 km
Duration
5 days | 4 nights
period
Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct
price from
€ 550
CO2 footprint
59,50 Kg/person
  1. France
  2.  | 
  3. Self-Guided
  4.  | 
  5. Tourcode FRSW500
Le Puy is the starting point of this pilgrimage - a unique village, surrounded by lush dormant volcanoes and towering rock formations adorned with human marvels: from the Notre-Dame de France church with the statue of the Madonna to the chapel of Saint-Michel d'Aiguilhe, the Polignac fortress, and Lavoûte Castle.From here, you will cross Place du Pot and embark on a journey through nature that alternates between rocky expanses and verdant fields, wheat fields, and chapels carved into the rocks.
You'll traverse the Margeride plateau and its forests, and finally reach Aubrac, where the bell of the lost rang every day to summon pilgrims on their journey, like a beacon in the heart of the plateau.

Highlights

  • Walk through the unique volcanic landscape of charming Auvergne,
  • Visit UNESCO World Heritage Sites such as the Romanesque Cathedral of Notre Dame and Hôtel-Dieu
  • Discover Saugues, famous for its English Tower, its Mushroom Fair and the legendary Beast of Gévaudan
  • Taste local products such as “Le Petit Salé” in Le Puy-en-Velay (green lentils with a smoked Sausage)

Itinerary

Day 1

Arrival in Le Puy-en-Velay

Arrival in Le Puy-en-Velay

Perched between the Auvergne volcanoes and the Rhône Alpes basin, the city of Puy-en-Velay offers an incredible view of the horizons. The Puy cathedral has one of the most beautiful Romanesque cloisters in Europe, famous for its polychrome arcades and its remarkable capitals, listed as World Heritage by Unesco.

Day 2

From Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Privat-d'Allier, 23 km

From Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Privat-d'Allier, 23 km

Your first walk starts from the steps of the cathedral of Le Puy-en-velay. Today, you take the way of Velay massif. The particularity lies in its landscape alternating rock, greenery and rural landscapes typical of this region that you can admire throughout the walk. Arriving in Saint-Privat-d’Allier, you will overlook the impressive gorges of Allier and its river, still wild.

Distance: 23 km

Elevation gain: +550/-335 m

Day 3

From Saint-Privat-d'Allier to Saugues, 19 km

From Saint-Privat-d'Allier to Saugues, 19 km

Passing by the chapel of Rochegude and its promotory, enjoy the stunning view on the gorges of Allier. You will cross this river, which is still wild, in Monistrol-d’Allier before going back on the other bank and reach Saugues, at the doors of the Margeride. It’s a pretty difficult stage with a strong uphill slope. On your way, you will be able to see the rustic villages and hamlets typical of the region, before finishing your stage in Saugues.

Distance: 19 km

Elevation gain: +565/-480 m

Day 4

From Saugues to Saint-Alban, 33 km

From Saugues to Saint-Alban, 33 km

After breakfast, your walk continues to Le Sauvage, an agricultural hilltop area dating from the Templar period. You reach the Saint-Roch chapel, and enter the department of La Lozère, before reaching your destination of Saint-Alban, known for its Romanesque church.

Distance: 33 km

Elevation gain: +560/-560 m

Day 5

From Saint-Alban to Aumont-Aubrac, 21 km

From Saint-Alban to Aumont-Aubrac, 21 km

From Saint-Alban, you begin your ascent towards Grazières-Mages before beginning your descent towards Les Estrets, through silent forests and agricultural lands, to finish at Aumont-Aubrac. Between Lozère, Cantal and Aveyron, you will be charmed by these green deserted landscapes. Arrival in Aumont-Aubrac, end of your walking trip.

Note: this itinerary can easily be combined with the next section of the Way of St James - Aumont to Conques

Distance: 21 km

Elevation gain: +330/-480 m

Details

Is this for me?


This journey covers the initial stages of the Puy Way pilgrimage route. You can choose to follow this first section or extend your journey by traversing a longer portion of the itinerary. This trip is suitable for those who have prior experience with multi-day hiking due to the length of the stages, especially the 33 km one.

Otherwise, it is an enjoyable and well-marked trail.

Included


What is included

  • 4 Nights in double room in **/*** hotels , B&B with breakfast
  • 3 dinners
  • luggage transportation from hotel to hotel
  • maps and detailed description of the itinerary
  • Medical and luggage travel insurance
  • 24h phone assistance

What is not included 

  • Transfers to the starting location and from the arriving location of the tour
  • lunches and dinners, if not otherwise stated
  • visits and entrance fees - tips
  • personal expense
  • possible sojourn taxes
  • everything that is not mentioned in the "What is included" section.

Optional Services

These services can be added to the ones included in the base price of the tour:

  • Single room supplement
  • cancellation insurance
  • Transfers to reach the starting location or to leave the arriving location of the tour, which will be quoted on request.

Accommodation


For our trips, we always select accommodations with private rooms and private bathrooms. In rare cases, shared accommodations or shared bathrooms may be included, so we recommend carefully checking the inclusions section to understand the type of accommodation provided for the trip you’re interested in.

We place great importance on the choice of lodging and select hotels with care and attention. We know how essential it is to rest well after a day of walking. We prefer welcoming and charming accommodations, ideally family-run, that truly embody the spirit of the place and can welcome you with comfort and warmth.

Where, due to the nature of the route, the choice of accommodations is limited, we select the option that best aligns with our standards.

Chd Epicurum - Puy en Velay
Gite La Cabourne - S'-Privat d'Adllier
Les Gabales - Saugues
Cdh Saint Jacques - St Alban sur Limagnole

When to travel


The weather in southern France offers a delightful range of conditions. Generally, the climate is warm and mild, with temperatures ideal for walking, ranging from 19°C to around 26°C during the summer months. Summers are typically hot, dry, and filled with sunshine, while late spring and early autumn bring slightly cooler days that remain comfortably warm, often perfect for enjoying dinners al fresco.  

Self-guided walking holidays provide the advantage of flexibility, allowing you to begin your journey on any date within the season, free from the constraints of fixed schedules.

What to bring


Clothing and other items
You will need your regular walking/cycling gear, including some sort of reflective garment. For the evenings, smart outdoor style trousers (or shorts) are invaluable, as are quick-dry t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town.

Take as little as possible to avoid potentially lugging a heavy suitcase up three flights of stairs at the end of the day. Please be aware that laundromats (“Laverie”) are not common in rural areas, so plan to do handwashing of small items.

Lightweight walking shoes/ trainers
For wearing around towns & villages. They can also be a back-up pair.

Socks & underwear
Take only good quality socks with quick-dry and insulating qualities. Road test them before you go on the trip. Take a suitable quantity of underwear as washing facilities are limited.

Warm jacket, hat, gloves
Bring a fleece, Polartec or warm layers for the evenings especially in spring or autumn; be sure it is totally suitable for your needs.
A fleece jacket which blocks the wind (Wind-stopper) is the most preferable. In the summer months a lightweight jacket is suitable for evenings.
If you are cycling/walking in mountainous or coastal areas, even in the height of summer, the weather can change very quickly and unexpectedly and you should be prepared for fog, mist, rain, snow or hail at any time. Always take an extra layer with you, as well as a warm hat and gloves.

Waterproof jacket & trousers
If you are caught in heavy rain, with good waterproof clothing you should remain dry. Remember that most garments will lose their properties over time. Few will remain waterproof for more than five years and many deteriorate in three years or less. We recommend a rain jacket with a good hood and collar and waterproof or thermal walking/cycling trousers or tights.

Dress code
In general, you should wear suitable clothing when entering a church (in many places, it is considered unacceptable to go inside wearing shorts or a tank-top). We suggest that women carry a shawl to cover up bear shoulders or low-cut tops. It also comes in handy when your shoulders get sunburned!

It is considered inappropriate for men to go without a shirt / T-shirt (other than at the beach).

Trekking poles (adjustable)
Highly recommended. A pair works best, depending on what you are comfortable with. If you suffer from back or knee pain this should be considered essential. Remember to practise walking with your pole(s) on different types of terrain in the months preceding your trip.

Walking boots
The importance of good footwear cannot be stressed enough. Your boots should be sturdy and of good enough quality to handle all types of terrain. Lightweight boots, (cordura/leather boots) which have Gore-Tex or sympatex water-proofing are most suitable for this trip. They should provide good ankle protection and be well broken in. Waxing leather boots regularly prolongs their life.

Walking tops & trousers
We recommend walking trousers and shorts and quick-dry wicking t-shirts. These can be washed easily and will dry overnight and still look good for sightseeing or having a drink in town. Wicking T-shirts are fast drying, keep moisture away from your skin and are available at outdoor stores. You should also bring one pair of loose-fitting trousers to wear in cities and for evenings out, etc. Shorts or zip-off trousers are useful in warmer weather.

Practical info

Mobile App


Use the SloWays APP for iOS and Android smart phones in combination with the written documentation provided.

The App has the detailed tracks and maps that you can use offline and without roaming. Thanks to the phone’s internal GPS, you can check your exact position on the map, so you always know exactly where you are. It also helps you self-navigate you way while travelling. More information on how to use the App inside the roadbook documents.

The navigation features include:

  • Offline navigation. Mobile data not required after initial download
  • Accurate GPS tracks
  • Autorotation of the maps
  • Daily route summary and elevation chart
  • Panorama of the track and at street level
  • Alarm and vibration that alerts you in case you go off track.
  • Emergency SMS button with position coordinates
  • Possibility to record and take georeferenced photos of problems on route alerting fellow travelers
  • Hotel information
  • Points of interest along the way
  • Historical background

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Wanderlust Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2023
Wanderlust
Nominee Best Specialist Tour Operator 2023
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Touroperating
S-Cape Countryside Travels srl
Borgo Allegri 16R
50122 Firenze FI
P. IVA 05227330486

 
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Touroperating S-Cape Countryside Travels srl Borgo Allegri 16R 50122 Firenze FI, Italy
VAT Nr 05227330486
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