Phone Reception from Le Puy to Cahors

[Redlory]

Hi everyone,
Can't wait to walk Le Puy to Cahors this September. Planning to go as ultralight as possible so considering relying on off-line maps on app for GPS navigation, ebooks versions of guidebooks (+ a paper map). Have any of you done this? How has it worked for you?
How was réception been along the way?
Many thanks and happy new year to you all.

 

[Pafayac]

Yes, phone signal is good from Le Puy to Cahors, even if you choose Célé Valley (a good choice).
Areas without signal are now quite rare in France.

 

[OzAnnie]

Hi @Redlory
You’ll find the signs/trail markings are excellent.
I didn’t have tracks or gps working on my phone doing the Le Puy route through to St Jean Pied de
Port starting September 2016.
Just followed the red and white GR signs (plentiful) and easy to interpret. & I also had paper guides.
So beautiful -
Bon chemin

Edit: I do use tracks & apps nowadays for the lesser travelled routes but back then it wasn’t my normal. Lots of other walkers in September -

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I loved walking the Le Puy in 2018 far as Auvillar with two camino friends. The GR signs were helpful and usually coincided with the yellow Camino signs. However, we got lost once or twice accidently going in the opposite direction because the GR signs are often posted on both sides of trees because they are walked in either direction. It can be confusing with a "pilgrim mentality", wrongly assuming they all head towards Santiago as a destination....nope, hiking and pilgrimage are two different things. Thankfully the sun was out and we realized we were walking for awhile in the opposite direction. Occasionally there were no yellows.

 

[OzAnnie]

It can be confusing with a "pilgrim mentality", wrongly assuming they all head towards Santiago as a destination....nope, hiking and pilgrims are two different things.

Good point Chrissy ..
the usual GR route towards St Jean Pied de Port is the GR65 …. But all other GR routes are red and white as well … unless you are aware … you ‘could’ walk off in the direction of another GR route - where -if there are different routes converging in a village. You’ll meet a lot of walkers in France who aren’t pilgrims - on other GR walking trails too.

That’s the good thing about apps with trails to follow nowadays & GPS. You can always get back on track.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

That’s the good thing about apps with trails to follow nowadays & GPS. You can always get back on track.

The position of the sun got us back on track. I wasn't using apps, etc. back then.

 

[Pafayac]

the usual GR route towards St Jean Pied de Port is the GR65 …. But all other GR routes are red and white as well … unless you are aware … you ‘could’ walk off in the direction of another GR route - where -if there are different routes converging in a village.

Yes, for instance when exiting St Côme d'Olt: turn right (westward) after the bridge, otherwise you will follow another GR (620) !
A hint is that when you can see grass on the path you are not on Podiensis !

 

[Lexicos]

Hi everyone,
Can't wait to walk Le Puy to Cahors this September. Planning to go as ultralight as possible so considering relying on off-line maps on app for GPS navigation, ebooks versions of guidebooks (+ a paper map). Have any of you done this? How has it worked for you?
How was réception been along the way?
Many thanks and happy new year to you all.

The route is very well marked. I had a guide, Michelin, and hardly used it. Besides, you’ll have a good number of pilgrims walking with you Redlory. But of course take whatever you feel you need. Reception was generally very good, with Vodafone.
Bon Chemin.

PS: September is a good month for the GR65.

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

relying on off-line maps on app for GPS navigation,

Others have already answered your query but just one point to consider.

One of the beauties of using offline maps is that you do not need cell phone service.
For example I use mapy.cz when walking locally in Germany, and I can use offline map navigation even with my phone in airplane mode.

Saves data and battery life, because the phone is not constantly searching for a position. I simply open the map before I start walking, then turn the phone onto airplane mode and put it in my pocket. Should I need it I can simply pull it out to check at any point. I can't answer for all apps however it would be worth checking to ensure the app you have chosen does have that ability.

Having service is of course always nice in an emergency, however as you are probably aware dialling the emergency services (112) automatically activates an emergency protocol, frequently giving you service even when you thought you had none.

Bon Chemin.

 

[BlackRocker57]

Bonjour I have never had any problems with phone reception on the Le Puy route ... I always have an «Orange» sim card and phone in airplane mode. I use several apps and record my tracks.

 

[Redlory]

Bonjour I have never had any problems with phone reception on the Le Puy route ... I always have an «Orange» sim card and phone in airplane mode. I use several apps and record my tracks.

Good to know, thanks. What apps do you use?

 

[BlackRocker57]

iPhiGéNie, MapOut, Wikiloc [for recording trails only], WorkOutDoors