Page 51 - World Expeditions: Active Europe - Sherpa Expeditions

HOTEL TOUR CODE: JPT
A self guidedwalk along the ancient pilgrim’s route through
the Auvergne & Languedoc
Legend has it that the martyred body of the apostle St. James was
transported from Palestine to the Atlantic coast of Spain for burial. The
church built on his grave in Santiago de Compostela, became a focus for
pilgrims who walked there from France along the 'Camino de Santiago'.
Our section of the historic route takes us into deepest France and the
wonderfully remote countryside of the Massif Central. Within France, by the
12th century, there were four different routes for pilgrims on the 'Chemin
de St. Jacques' on their way to Santiago in Spain. Of the four, the earliest
recorded and best preserved is that which starts at Le Puy. We too start in
this fascinating town. Our pilgrimage will bring us to Conques, an unspoilt
medieval town where the narrow streets still cluster round the magnificent
Abbey church of St. Foy.
ITINERARY: DAY 1 | Arrive Le Puy 2 | Walk to St Privat d'Allier (6-7hrs)
3 | To Saugues (5-6hrs) 4 | Walk to les Faux (7-8hrs) 5 | To Aumont (6-7hrs)
6 | Walk to Nasbinals (6-7hrs) 7 | To St Chely d'Aubrac (5-6hrs) 8 | Reach St
Come d'Olt (5-6hrs) 9 | Continue to Estaing (5-6hrs) 10 | Walk to Golinhac
(5-6hrs) 11 | Walk to Conques (6-7hrs) 12 | Trip concludes
INCLUSIONS: Ξ 11 breakfasts, 11 dinners Ξ 11 nights accommodation
in small country hotels on a twin share basis with ensuite facilities when
available Ξ luggage transfer Ξ information pack including route notes & maps
Ξ emergency hotline
The Way of St. James
12 DAY SELF GUIDED WALK GRADE 4
On the ridge towards Les Estrets | John Millen
Aumont
Le Puy
Conques Estaing
France
HOTEL / GUESTHOUSE / B&B TOUR CODE: WSJ
A rewarding 700km cycle along the French Way of St
James from Le Puy en Velay to St Jean Pied de Port
Cycle the full length of the Way of St James in France from the Haute Loire
to the rugged mountains of the Pyrenees. The pilgrimage route to Santiago
has been travelled for over 1000 years by foot, donkey and more recently
by bike. Offering an incredible diversity of scenery and passing through
some of the prettiest villages in France, this is an epic cycling route with
a spiritual theme. This journey, along the Via Podensis, the French Way of
St James, takes pilgrims from Le Puy en Velay to the Pyrenees at St Jean
Pied de Port, passing a multitude of churches and monasteries, resembling
a travelling museum of Romanesque art. With some steep climbs, followed
by fast descents, this trip is ideally suited to fit cyclists keen to extend
their experience to an iconic route. At night your hosts in the guesthouses
and small hotels will ensure that you are well fed and immersed in their
particular region with its culinary specialties.
ITINERARY: DAY 1 | Arrive Le Puy-en-Velay 2 | A challenging first days
cycle to Saugues via Monts du Deves (1206m) (45km, ~+1150m) 3 | Cycle
across the Margeride plateau and descend into the Truyère valley to arrive
at Aumont-Aubrac (46kms, ~+450m) 4 | Challenging cycle to Estaing
(66kms, ~+950m) 5 | Cycle to Conques (42kms, ~+600m) 6 | Continue cycle
to Figeac (48km, ~+650m) 7 | Cycle to the Lot River valley at St Cirq Lapopie /
Tour de Faure (55km, ~+375m) 8 | Continue through pretty medieval towns
including Cahors to Montcuq (55kms, ~+300m) 9 | Cycle to Auvillar with
its interesting medieval circular market (61km, ~+180m) 10 | Continue to
the Armagnac town of Condom (68km, ~+600m) 11 | Cycle via the Roman
town of Eauze to Aire sur l'Adour (69km, ~+145m) 12 | Continue cycle
past small churches and a pilgrims hospital to Maslacq (65km, ~+450m)
13 | Cycle to St Palais via Navarrenx (51km, ~+400m) 14 | Final leg of cycle
to St Jean Pied de Port (35km, ~+400m) 15 | Trip concludes
INCLUSIONS: Ξ 14 breakfasts, 11 dinners Ξ 14 nights guesthouses or
hotel on a twin share basis, generally with ensuite facilities Ξ information pack
including guidebook and cycle maps (per
room booked) Ξ luggage transfer
(max 15kgs per person) Ξ visitor tax
Ξ emergency hotline Ξ bike rental
The Way of St
James by Bike
5 15 DAY SELF GUIDED CYCLE GRADE
Riders taking a break on theWay of St James
Conques Cahors
Saint-Jean-
Pied-de-Port
Le Puy-en-Velay
Lectoure
Air sur l’Adour
Spain
France
Our section of the historic route takes us into
deepest France and the wonderfully remote
countryside of the Massif Central. We start in
Le Puy and our pilgrimage will bring us to
Conques, an unspoilt medieval town where
the narrow streets
still cluster round the
magnificent Abbey
church of St. Foy.
new
| 51 >> for detailed trip notes visit >> utracks.com
DATES 2015
Daily from 01 May to 20 Oct
Joining Le Puy‑en‑Velay
DATES 2015
Daily from 1 Apr to 15 Sep
Joining Le Puy en Velay