18 Day Camino de Santiago Le Puy Walk from France to Spain

Getting to Lyon: Guests will need to organise their own flights to Lyon in France the day prior to the tour. Lyon is an international airport with direct flights from many countries including Australia.

Distance: Walk 8.5kms. Hours 2.5 hours. Descent 282m

Overview: Meet our representative in Lyon at 8am in the foyer of the Hotel Carlton Lyon –MGallery by Sofitel, from here we transfer (2 hour drive) to Christophe-de-sur-Dolaison at 912m near the town of Le Puy. To maximise our time, this mornings walk will take us on a section of the Camino starting in the village of Christophe-de-sur-Dolaison and walking back towards Le Puy. This offers our guests a spectacular way to arrive into Le Puy with its dramatic volcanic outcrops adorned with chapels and statues. Once we arrive into Le Puy we will enjoy a relaxing lunch in the main square and so up the atmosphere of this medieval town. After lunch, we walk directly to our hotel, Le Regina where your bags will be waiting and you can check in to your room. This afternoon you have the option to join a sightseeing tour (no extra cost) with your guide including the Cathedral and the 10th century medieval Michel d’Aiguikhe chapel dramatically perched on a volcanic rock overlooking the town. Alternatively, enjoy some free time to explore this quaint town at your leisure. The old city is a delightful maze of small streets with pastel-painted building and shops some selling lace, as this town once famed for its lacemaking. Tonight join your group for dinner in the restaurant specialising in regional food which is accompanied with French wines. In the evening after dinner you can stroll around the town and see the pretty illumination of significant buildings.

Distances: Whole walk 16.5km

Optional shorter walk: Walk 9km Nasbinals to Aubrac (this would mean you walk the first half of the day up until lunchtime. After lunch, you will be transferred to the village of Saint Chely d’aubrac for some rest. This option avoids a steep 7km downhill on rocky, uneven terrain.

This morning we enjoy a wonderful breakfast in the Chateau before transferring to the next section of our walk (38 mins). Today’s walk takes us from Nasbinals to Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac. We begin in Nasbinals a charming little village nestled at 1200 metres above sea level with a 12th-century church. From here our walk gradually climbs as it crosses the Aubrac plateau a UNESCO World Heritage site with volcanic granite landscapes, stark lakes, beech forests and open green hillsides with wildflowers during spring. We cross a stone bridge over a pretty stream before reaching the village of Pascalet. We traverse to the highest point of the camino at 1324m before gradually descending into the small medieval village of Aubrac with its gothic church tower. The bells of the tower would help pilgrims in the middle ages find their way in stormy weather. We stop in this pretty town for lunch before continuing on to the villages of  Belvezet and Del Sail. We descend into the charming village of Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac, with its stone cottages set in a beautiful green valley. Afterwards, we transfer 55 mins to the remarkable Château de Labro a stylish and elegant luxury accommodation set in a historic castle with grand interiors, a gourmet restaurant, and swimming pool set amongst the vineyard your stay here will be truly unique.

Distances: Total walking today 11kms morning 2kms + afternoon9kms
Walk 1: 1-2kms Grotto de Peche Merle cave paintings.
Walk 2: Afternoon walk from Peche Merle to Saint Cirq Lapopie 9km.
Optional – miss afternoon walk: Guests have the option to skip the afternoon walk and spend free time in Saint Cirq Lapopie village if they don’t wish to walk.

Enjoy breakfast and some extra time in the chateau before we transfer back to the trail (30 mins). Our walk today takes us through the many beautiful villages of the Lot Valley from Espallion to Conques. We will have an early-ish picnic lunch at St Pierre church before we cross the old stone bridge over the Astruges river. After this there is a significant hill climb of roughly 250m, which we then decent. The terrain is then easy but exposed through the village of Le Briffoul, the church of Tredou and the village of Verrières. We arrive into the gorgeous medieval town of Estaing set on the banks of the river. This is a pretty town of turrets, castles, lantern-shaped roofs and dungeons. After sighting the village, we transfer to the beautiful town of Conques. Our accommodation tonight is the centre of Conques at the Hotel Saint Foy.

Distance: Total walk 13km
Shorter walk option: 5km from lunch until Saint Jean Pied de Port

After breakfast, we farewell our hotel and transfer to the start of our last walk for the trip. (1 hr 40 mins). Today’s walk takes us from the small town of Gamarthe to Saint Jean Pied De Port in the Pyrenees. We cross the stone bridge over the river Bassaguibele and make our way to Col d’Oyhanzarre. On our walk, we pass many pretty Basque villages, beautiful rivers, chateaus and enjoy spectacular views of the Pyrenees. We eventually arrive at the gate of the old town of Saint Jean Pied de Port at the foot of the Pyrenees and our final destination. The town of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is located at the base of the Pyrenean Mountains and the name “Pied-de-Port” actually means “foot pass.” Enjoy time to stroll along the cobbled streets of this mountain town, with its quaint arts and craft shops meandering down the hill. Tonight our accommodation will be at the charming Les Chemins D’Elika, centrally located in Saint Jean Pied-de-Port, and you will enjoy dinner in a local restaurant featuring authentic Basque food and wine. Your dinner companions will be your fellow travellers and those joining the Camino route from here into Spain.

Distances:
Total Walk: Cizur Menor to Uterga  11.8kms

Shorter Walk Option: Cizur Menor to Zariquiegui  6kms

Track notes: A steep climb past monuments featured in ‘the way’ film which is rewarded with views followed of course a steep descent through villages.

This morning we enjoy a relaxed day and explore the city of Pamplona. There is so much to explore in this city apart from it being the world’s bull-running nexus. This town, full of tradition and history, is the capital of Spain’s Kingdom of Navarre. The major epicenter of Pamplona is Plaza del Castillo. It has been the venue of military parades and stage bullfights for centuries. Afterwards we leave Pamplona and enjoy a short transfer to Cizur Menor (15 mins). We walk from the town of Cizur Menor, as soon entering the town we’ll spot the Church of San Miguel Archangel which once formed part of a monastery where pilgrims stayed en route to Santiago. Our track ascends to Sierra del Perdon from here you will appreciate magnificent views northwards to the Pyrenees and Pamplona. We pass the life-size installation called the ‘Monument to the Pilgrims Way’ depicting a group of pilgrims from different eras crossing the trail and make our way to Uterga. Afterwards, we transfer to the town of Burgos (2hrs). Burgos is famous for its intact medieval architecture such as its impressive gothic cathedral is a veritable jewel full of monuments worthy of exploration and appreciation and was home to the warlord El Cid. Tonight we spend the evening at Palacio de Burgos, once a 16th century Palace, this historic building has been tastefully restored with modern interiors. it is ideally located in the centre of the old town. Tonight enjoy a wonderful dinner featuring regional cuisine and wines.

Walks & distances: 

• Morning walk – Acebo to Molinaseca – 8.5kms (3 hours)
• Afternoon walk: Sarria to Sabenche – 6kms
  Option to skip either walk and travel with the guide/driver.

Track notes:
Morning walk: Steep descent of 500m over 8kms
Afternoon walk: Undulating well-formed paths, trending upwards

After breakfast, we leave Astorga and transfer to Acebo (3o mins). The walk today is in the mountains with panoramic views over the plains below. Continue to the picturesque village of Molinaseca before strolling into Villafranca del Bierzo, nestling at the foot of the mountains. Afterwards we are transferred to the town of Sarria, where we enjoy a restaurant sit-down lunch. This afternoon’s walk takes us from the town of Sarria to the village of Sabenche. Sarria was a major medieval centre for pilgrims with several churches, chapels, monasteries and 7 pilgrim hospitals, these days it is a bustling modern city. We head out of town and on an uphill stretch to the countryside. We walk along peaceful country roads, past tiny villages and through charming woodlands to the tiny village of Sabenche.  Tonight our accommodation is at the charming Casa Caxiguero a 12th-century typical traditional Spanish farmhouse(or similar). Enjoy the warm hospitality and quaint atmosphere with wonderful home-cooked meals featuring organic food produced in the garden all accompanied with local wines.

Walk and distances:
Total walk Portomarin to Palas De Rei: 24kms 6 hours. 

Shorter walking options:
The day will be broken down into the following walks and you can take our transfers to do any of these.
Option 1: Portomarin to Morning tea stop (7.7kms)
Option 2: Morning tea to lunch stop (5kms)
Option 3: Lunch to afternoon tea stop(6 kms)
Option 4: Afternoon tea stop to the finish (5kms)
The flattest sections are  from morning tea to lunch and then afternoon tea to the finish.

Track Notes:
The walk this morning is challenging with an undulating ascent of 400m until Ventas de Naron (12.6kms)
After lunch there will be 8kms of undulating descent to our afternoon tea stop, with the last 5kms relatively easy going.

Overview: After breakfast we farewell Portomarin and head towards the town of Palas de Rei. Our day starts with a steady uphill climb taking in views of pretty Portomarin. The route takes us through the brooms, with their magnificent fragrance. Our path then follows the road to Gonzar and past Castromaior, known for its Romanesque church.  Along the path you will pass charming hamlets and calvaries. Over this stage, we will pass through Ventas de Naron, over the gentle Sierra de Ligonde, then downhill through Ligonde to see the church dedicated to the apostle St James. Emperor Charles V stayed here in the modest village of Ligonde in 1520. Our guide will meet us today towards the end of the walk for our short transfer (15 mins) to our accommodation for the next 2 nights at Pazo de Orban & Sangro. Tonight enjoy dinner in a local restaurant with local wines.

Walk and Distances:
Melide to Arzua total walk – 14.5kms

Shorter walking options: 
Melide to Morning tea stop – 5kms.
Morning tea to lunch stop – 7.5kms

Track notes: Easy, relatively flat walking up until morning tea through rural farmland and a nice forest. Short downhill section after morning tea and then undulating to the Arzua. Varied path of dirt tracks, forest path,cement footpath and roadside.

After breakfast, we farewell our hosts and transfer back to the trail at Melide. Today’s walk takes us from the town of Melide to Arzúa. The terrain becomes much easier today as we walk through the villages of Carballal, San Xuilan do Camino with its cute 12th Century church and the village of Lebereiro. We wind our walk through woodlands of oaks, pine and Eucalyptus trees. We will stop at one of the local villages along the way for lunch. Crossing over the River Seco on the Magdalena Bridge we will reach Furelos and continue on to Arzúa, in the province of La Coruña, famous for its local cheese. From here we are transferred to our accommodation for the next two nights at the nearby Pazo De Brandesco (10 min transfer).  This unique 17th Century grand mansion has been in the same family for the past 400 years. You’ll be amazed by its family collections that decorate the house. Enjoy time to wander the grounds and visit their small chapel or swim in the pool. Tonight dine in the grand dining room enjoying a three-course meal served with local wine.

Walks and distances:
We transfer an extra 3 minutes down the road from San Anton to start our walk today in Amenal.
Amenal to Santiago De Compostela – 16kms

Shorter walking options:
Option 1: Amenal to Morning tea stop – 4.5kms
Option 2: Morning Tea stop to lunch stop: 7.5kms
Option 3: Lunch stop to Santiago de Compostela. 4kms

Track notes: Mixture of rural and urban settings. We climb a large hill through a forest. 309m – 330m gains and losses in elevation during the day.

Overview: Today is the final leg of our Camino walk as we make our way to our destination at Santiago de Compostela. After breakfast we transfer back to the trail (20 mins) to start our walk. Today you will pass many ancient sites including monuments, chapels and bridges, all have a story to tell. Follow country lanes and forest paths through increasingly populated countryside. We walk through Lavacolla village, a place where pilgrims traditionally stopped to wash in the river and purify themselves before entering the city of Santiago. We reach Monte del Gozo (Mount of Joy) where we will see impressive views of the impressive Cathedral of Santiago. We walk into Santiago though the cobbled streets of the Old Quarter and feel the elation as we reach the Plaza del Obradoiro, one of the most beautiful and renowned squares in Spain and the end of our walk. Enjoy the views in front of you of the magnificent Cathedral of Santiago. To the left of the cathedral in the square is our impressive accommodation for the night at the Parador (also known as the Hostal dos Reis Catolicos.) Considered the oldest hotel in the world, in 1499 this building was a Royal hospital to house the walkers who were on the camino pilgrimage to Santiago. These days this accommodation is now an elegant hotel with the best location in the city offering a truly unique and exclusive place to stay. Tonight we join the pilgrims service at 7.30pm before enjoying a celebratory dinner in the historic restaurant at the Parador Hotel.