Where to walk for 7 to 14 days on Le Puy route?

[chitocamino]

Hello a friend and I are walking the camino for about two weeks this July. We want to do at least half (or maybe the whole time) in France. We're wondering which part of the Le Puy route people would recommend.
Any suggestions would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Ashley

 

[Kitsambler]

You can start at the beginning! from Le Puy to Aumont-Aubrac is 7 days. Aumont-Aubrac is the first town after Le Puy with a rail connection. Or, you could walk from Aumont-Aubrac to Conques, which is another 7 days. However, there is no rail in Conques so you will need to arrange motor transport out. The best scenery is between Le Puy and Figeac, so if you only have one week, I recommend you spend it in that area.

There is also a route deviation in the Ceile Valley, which I have not personally walked but many here have, that I think is about a week. I'm not sure the rail/transit connection start/end for you though.

 

[KiwiNomad06]

If it was me, I would walk from Le Puy as far as I could: my favourite part of the whole route was this first section from Le Puy to Conques. You might end up somewhere without easy transport out, eg in Conques, but could then take a taxi to Rodez if the limited public transport didn't suit.
I don't have public transport details, but if you manage to get as far as Figeac or Decazeville, they are both larger centres that I am sure you could find connections from.
Margaret

 

[Caminando]

Le Puy - Conques.

PS Keep in mind that this a beautiful section and you don't want to gallop along and rush so much that you miss things. Like stopping by a stream, a medieval church, enjoying a drink in a bar etc. You can of course do it quicker than the conventional 12-14 days, but my guess is you want a quality walk and want to avoid merely passing through. Joggers do that!

If you do this walk, let us know your thoughts? There are some good pics on the forum....

Bon chemin!

 

[Deleted member 3000]

Le-Puy-en-Velay to Conques is about 9 days; to Figeac is about 11 days; to Cahors is about 14 days, all depending on your level of fitness. The first part of the pilgrimage has the more dramatic scenery, but the end approaching St.-Jean-Pied-de-Port is also quite nice.

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Le-Puy-en-Velay to Conques is about 9 days; to Figeac is about 11 days; to Cahors is about 14 days.

Not necessarily.... I had been on the road for 21 days before I reached Cahors..... I had two rest days along the way- one in Estaing to let blisters heal after my feet got saturated crossing the Aubrac Plateau, and another in Conques to enjoy being there.... plus I deliberately walked short days on my first few days out from Le Puy to 'walk myself in'.
Margaret

 

[Deleted member 3000]

No killer days except perhaps into Cajarc and Cahors:

Stage Partial (km) Cumulative (km)
1) Le Puy-en-Velay - Saint-Privat-d'Allier 24 24
2) Saint-Privat-d'Allier - Saugues 19.6 43.6
3) Saugues - La Roche-sur-Lajo (FR 600 m) 21.3 64.9
4) La Roche-sur-Lajo (FR 600 m) - Aumont-Aubrac 22.9 87.8
5) Aumont-Aubrac - Montgros 23.6 111.4
6) Montgros - Saint-Chély-d'Aubrac 18.9 130.3
7) Saint-Chély-d'Aubrac - Espalion 23.7 154
8) Espalion - Golinhac 25.8 179.8
9) Golinhac - Conques 20.9 200.7
10) Conques - Livinhac-le-Haut 25.1 225.8
11) Livinhac-le-Haut - Figeac 25.3 251.1
12) Figeac - Cajarc 31.6 282.7
13) Cajarc - Varaire (FR 500 m) 26.1 308.8
14) Varaire (FR 500 m) - Cahors 32.8 341.6

 

[chitocamino]

Thanks so much for all the suggestions! We are going to start in Le Puy and walk as far as we can.

 

[Julescan]

Wonderful info thank you