Walking from Le Puy to SJPP.

[JeffP]

I will be starting my '25 Camino in Le Puy. When can I start and feel comfortable that gites will be open and plentiful? This is one concern that I have. I usually start around the 1st of April when on the Francis. Is late February too early?

Also, I plan to take three rest days. What towns would you suggest I stay in during my zero days?

Thanks! Buen Camino!!!

 

[walkingagain]

Hi Jeff,
Here are the best resources I've found for the Camino Le Puy:
Discovering the Via Podiensis (pdf)
The Way of Le Puy: All the Stuff You Wanna Know or Oughta Wanna Know Before Starting Out (pdf)
Camino - Via Podiensis - GR 65 - Chemin du Puy-en-Velay (Facebook Group)
Grozne - lists the gites in each town including what month each opens and closes.
Buen Camino!

 

[Peterexpatkiwi]

@JeffP, I have yet to walk the route, still just in the planning stages. I recall seeing a number of posts that point out that many Gites only opened late March/ beginning of April. You may therefore struggle to find accommodation.

In addition to which, even in early April some people reported lots of rain and some snow on the Aubrac. I think should you want to walk earlier you would need to be prepared for walking in snow.

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I started the Via Podiensis out of Le Puy on June 1st with two friends. In our planning we had seen photos of pilgrims who struggled in slippy slushy snow just a week earlier, as the area is part of the Aubrac region.
We did not encounter snow, only chilly weather the first half, but hard to predict weather as we all know.

 

[jouffroy47]

I will be starting my '25 Camino in Le Puy. When can I start and feel comfortable that gites will be open and plentiful? This is one concern that I have. I usually start around the 1st of April when on the Francis. Is late February too early?

Also, I plan to take three rest days. What towns would you suggest I stay in during my zero days?

Thanks! Buen Camino!!!

Most seasonal gites only open in early April. Late February is fine, but not optimum as it is definitely off-season. Expect snow in the Aubrac, so you may need to take the road in places, to walk further at times, and stay in more expensive places, and may find that you may need to bring food with you depending on the distances you walk.