France - Walking the Puy Route from Le Puy to Aubrac.
Self-guided walking tour on the Puy Way : 4 walking days from Le Puy en Velay to Aumont-Aubrac
Once you arrive in Le Puy-en-Velay you feel this special atmosphere of pilgrimage starting here in this unique city with so many curiosities to discover before heading off. This short program of 5 nights and 4 walking days ends in Aumont-Aubrac a small city at the entrance of the famous Aubrac plateau.
Day 1
Arrive in Le Puy-en-Velay.
Le Puy is a lively cultural medieval city surrounded by low mountains. Its
old charming centre with numerous museums, the famous Cathedral, the 10th century cloister. If you
arrive early you will enjoy these marvellous visits
Day 2
Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint Privat. 24 km- 6 hours walk +646 m/-452 m.
Notre Dame du Puy Cathedral
is the departure point for you just as thousands of pilgrims before. Today's walk ends in St Privat
crossing the green mountain of the Velay massif with stunning sceneries all day long.
Day 3
St Privat d’Allier - Saugues – 19 km - 5 hours walk-+715m/-665 m.
Just after leaving St Privat, you
reach the hamlet of Rochegude famous for its St James Chapel. The trail dives into the canyon of the
Allier River which is the natural frontier between the Velay and the Gevaudan plateau. The ascent on
the Saugues plateau is the most challenging of the week. (+500m).
Day 4
Saugues-Saint Alban – 26 km- 6 ½ hour walk.
From the famous Tour des Anglais of Saugues, the
Way of Saint James reaches the solitary highlands of the Margeride plateau where heather, broom,
bilberry, pasture land as well as giant bracken compose a marvellous wild scenery. A remarkable site
today is the St Roch Chapel or l’Hospitalet Chapel built at 1280 metres on an isolated pass next to a
hospital that was created for pilgrims. Depending on the season wild raspberries & strawberries line
the path.
Day 5
St Alban-Aumont-Aubrac 15km – 4 hour walk. +435m/-511m.
From Saint Alban and its Roman
Church, climb up to Grazières-Mages before starting the descent to les Estrets through quiet woods
and farmlands and finally end your walk at Aumont-Aubrac, gateway to the mythic high plateau
Day 6
Trip ends after breakfast. Possible private transfer to Le Puy en Velay.
Included : (see details in Dates and Prices section)
2 and 3 star hotels and guest houses- Half Board (brekafasts and dinners)
Luggage transfer
An English road book and a map.
English speaking assistance for your reservation
OPTION : Upgraded hotels : ask for our technical sheet.
Starts in : Le Puy en Velay
Ends in : Aumont Aubrac
Access : Puy-en-Velay train station
Information : click on "ask for more information"
Phone Cecile : +33 5 58 48 71 65
Customize your tour : add or remove one night or more, combine with another section of the Way
See also :
All the Way of Saint James routes
Highlights
The famous Via Podiensis
The Wild Nature of Auvergne.
Short discovery walk