Le Puy (or Geneva) to SJPdP in Autumn

[Crazy Kiwiman]

Hi everyone

Thanks you so much for all the info I have from your Le Puy threads.

I am looking to walk from either Geneva or Le Puy starting at the end of September 2017 - through to SJPdP. I can not find much information about walking at that time of year and am wondering if it will be too cold by then.

As background, I have only done one pilgrimage to date - SJPdP to Finisterre last year (but am totally hooked). The weather was perfect so I have unrealistic expectations!! I camp most nights (free camp or campground) and usually walk about 35-50km per day (please don't judge - I just love the walking).

I would appreciate any tips about camping also!

Thanks in advance!
Nigel

 

[Thornley]

Hi everyone

Thanks you so much for all the info I have from your Le Puy threads.

I am looking to walk from either Geneva or Le Puy starting at the end of September 2017 - through to SJPdP. I can not find much information about walking at that time of year and am wondering if it will be too cold by then.

As background, I have only done one pilgrimage to date - SJPdP to Finisterre last year (but am totally hooked). The weather was perfect so I have unrealistic expectations!! I camp most nights (free camp or campground) and usually walk about 35-50km per day (please don't judge - I just love the walking).

I would appreciate any tips about camping also!

Thanks in advance!
Nigel

If you have the time Nigel start in Geneva.
You will get some crap when finishing 2 months later but the start will be magic and you will laugh at the discomfort.
Allow 10 weeks walking plus the stop overs an there will be plenty in both France and Spain.
I envy you my friend.

 

[Crazy Kiwiman]

If you have the time Nigel start in Geneva.
You will get some crap when finishing 2 months later but the start will be magic and you will laugh at the discomfort.
Allow 10 weeks walking plus the stop overs an there will be plenty in both France and Spain.
I envy you my friend.

Thanks Thornley,

What do you think about walking through France during October / November months. Is it sensible at that time of year? (...for someone used to Melbourne weather?)

BTW, great list of past pilgrimages in your profile! - will add them all to my wish list.

 

[GuyA]

Can't comment on camping however if you have the time start the walk from Geneva. I walked from Rorschach Switzerland to Finisterre in 2014/2015 and of the 5 Camino routes my favourite was Via Gebennensis from Geneva to Le Puy. I don't quite know why other than the countryside was spectacular, people were super nice, less travelled route, small villages...

 

[Kitsambler]

The weather in late September and first half of October is usually quite fine; the latter half of October and November can be wet and chilly. Once past All Saints Day/Toussaint (Nov 1), about half the gites will close for the season. Based on your general schedule, you will be at the lower elevations (past Figeac) by mid-October, which will help you with the temperatures.

I don't find camping in the rain to be very enjoyable, personally. But maybe the OP is made of sterner stuff.

 

[Thornley]

Thanks Thornley,

What do you think about walking through France during October / November months. Is it sensible at that time of year? (...for someone used to Melbourne weather?)

BTW, great list of past pilgrimages in your profile! - will add them all to my wish list.

I'd start in September if going the whole way.

 

[JAL]

Hi everyone

Thanks you so much for all the info I have from your Le Puy threads.

I am looking to walk from either Geneva or Le Puy starting at the end of September 2017 - through to SJPdP. I can not find much information about walking at that time of year and am wondering if it will be too cold by then.

As background, I have only done one pilgrimage to date - SJPdP to Finisterre last year (but am totally hooked). The weather was perfect so I have unrealistic expectations!! I camp most nights (free camp or campground) and usually walk about 35-50km per day (please don't judge - I just love the walking).

I would appreciate any tips about camping also!

Thanks in advance!
Nigel

Hi Nigel,

I walked (2015) from LePuy to SJPdP leaving LePuy in late September and arriving in SJPdP in late October. The weather (and the walk) were wonderful. Warm the first few days and cooling nicely over the following weeks.

John

 

[gittiharre]

Hi Crazykiwiman.
It is a wonderful route from Geneva right through and perfect as you will do the early parts in warmer weather. I am walking the Le Puy route in July for the 3rd time and have walked Geneva to Le Puy twice. My friend was thinking about taking a tent next time and we found lots of camping spots that would be suitable en route.

 

[Crazy Kiwiman]

The weather in late September and first half of October is usually quite fine; the latter half of October and November can be wet and chilly. Once past All Saints Day/Toussaint (Nov 1), about half the gites will close for the season. Based on your general schedule, you will be at the lower elevations (past Figeac) by mid-October, which will help you with the temperatures.

I don't find camping in the rain to be very enjoyable, personally. But maybe the OP is made of sterner stuff.

Wow, that's exactly the info I needed - thanks Kitsambler (for all your comments throughout the forum). I will move my dates to earlier.

I LOVE camping in the rain (as long as the rain stays on the outside!). I don't love packing up a wet tent and carrying the extra weight.

 

[Crazy Kiwiman]

Hi Nigel,

I walked (2015) from LePuy to SJPdP leaving LePuy in late September and arriving in SJPdP in late October. The weather (and the walk) were wonderful. Warm the first few days and cooling nicely over the following weeks.

John

Thanks John. Will take your advice and start earlier.

Looks like you've been busy! I hope to to Via Francigena next year. Will tap you on the shoulder for your tips there too!

 

[KatWanderlust]

What do you think about walking through France during October / November months. Is it sensible at that time of year? (...for someone used to Melbourne weather?)

Hola Nigel,

As a fellow Melbournite you should be fine - it will get cold and sometimes rainy but nothing we're not used to here!
I walked Le Puy to Finisterre early September to mid-November back in 2010. September in France was gorgeous, warm sunny days which slowly changed to chillier temperatures (especially the mornings/evenings) however it was easily managed with good thermal layers, beanie, gloves and Goretex ; )

Buen Camino!

 

[Crazy Kiwiman]

Thanks Kat,
I have taken your advice and will book travel for late September.

Regards

 

[kayagee66]

I walked from Le Puy last year beginning of September. Met a few wild campers. Occasionally they would camp in the grounds of gites, cheap and the use of toilets and showers, and the great communal French meals if they wanted.

 

[Alastair Calder]

Hi everyone

Thanks you so much for all the info I have from your Le Puy threads.

I am looking to walk from either Geneva or Le Puy starting at the end of September 2017 - through to SJPdP. I can not find much information about walking at that time of year and am wondering if it will be too cold by then.

As background, I have only done one pilgrimage to date - SJPdP to Finisterre last year (but am totally hooked). The weather was perfect so I have unrealistic expectations!! I camp most nights (free camp or campground) and usually walk about 35-50km per day (please don't judge - I just love the walking).

I would appreciate any tips about camping also!

Thanks in advance!
Nigel

Interesting , looking at walking Le Puy to SJPDP departing in mid April any thoughts anyone on weather . Cheers Alastair NZ

 

[Crazy Kiwiman]

Interesting , looking at walking Le Puy to SJPDP departing in mid April any thoughts anyone on weather . Cheers Alastair NZ

It will still be pretty cold in April mate, and you may get snow etc when you are on the Massif Central area. Also a lot of accommodation is closed in the off season. It is a good walk with plenty of towns. I much prefer Spain over France for its friendliness and you will notice the difference as you cross the Pyrenees. Hope you are tramping Te Araora before you leave home??

 

[JAL]

I left Le Puy late September and the weather was ideal, Sunny and warm to start and cooler-wetter as I got into the French Basque country. I have walked several caminos now and LePuy to sjpdp was the best, just magical. Great food, crazy beautiful scenery, nice people. Ahhh magnifique. I met an Italian guy named Franco who has walked 20 Caminos and he also said LePuy was the best

 

[Thornley]

LePuy was the best

Agree totally.

 

[Davey Boyd]

Agree totally.

Me too. Geneva - Le Puy - SJPdP was the best camino (chemin) for me so far. Yes magical! I'm planning on doing it again as soon as I can in fact.

Davey

 

[AJGuillaume]

We're currently on the Camino del Norte, after having walked the Gebennensis and the Podiensis. The Gebennensis was magical, but don't expect many people around. The Podiensis was fantastic.
And the Norte is proving to be quite beautiful too!

 

[Davey Boyd]

We're currently on the Camino del Norte, after having walked the Gebennensis and the Podiensis. The Gebennensis was magical, but don't expect many people around. The Podiensis was fantastic.
And the Norte is proving to be quite beautiful too!

Buen Camino!

 

[Sunrayrob]

Hi everyone

Thanks you so much for all the info I have from your Le Puy threads.

I am looking to walk from either Geneva or Le Puy starting at the end of September 2017 - through to SJPdP. I can not find much information about walking at that time of year and am wondering if it will be too cold by then.

As background, I have only done one pilgrimage to date - SJPdP to Finisterre last year (but am totally hooked). The weather was perfect so I have unrealistic expectations!! I camp most nights (free camp or campground) and usually walk about 35-50km per day (please don't judge - I just love the walking).

I would appreciate any tips about camping also!

Thanks in advance!
Nigel

Hi Crazy Kiwiman, we are looking at walking Geneva/Le Puy to SJPDP in September next year and would very interested to hear about your experience.

 

[Thornley]

If you guys have the time start in Geneva.
Everyone we met on the GR65 from Le Puy that commenced in Geneva were in awe with the scenery and everything associated with the path before Le Puy.

 

[AJGuillaume]

If you guys have the time start in Geneva.
Everyone we met on the GR65 from Le Puy that commenced in Geneva were in awe with the scenery and everything associated with the path before Le Puy.

I concur. We walked from Geneva (and a little bit beyond that on the other side of lake Geneva) to SdC in 2018. The Gebennensis is beautiful.

 

[GuyA]

I also agree...of the Caminos I have been fortunate to walk the Via Gebennensis was my favourite...beautiful walk.

Guy

 

[Sunrayrob]

Geneva start it is then

 

[Kanga]

Oh well, another for the list....

 

[Mark L]

Wow, that's exactly the info I needed - thanks Kitsambler (for all your comments throughout the forum). I will move my dates to earlier.

I LOVE camping in the rain (as long as the rain stays on the outside!). I don't love packing up a wet tent and carrying the extra weight.

If you get as far as Figeac and have need of help, just drop me a message and I can help out also can help with local advice (up as far as SjPP) and French language. I live in Cajarc so am always happy to assist Pèlerins where I can having got to SjPP myself last year and hopefully further into Spain (allowing for the obvious) this year.

good luck

 

[Kanga]

@Mark L - lucky you. I thought Cajarc was lovely and would be a great place to live.