Stroll
Camino Le Puy: Via Podiensis Full Route - 37 Days
Camino de SantiagoCamino Le Puy

Camino Le Puy: Via Podiensis Full Route - 37 Days

37 Days
Challenging

Camino Le Puy: Via Podiensis Full Route - 37 Days

from £4,650 / person

Overview

The Camino Le Puy-en-Velay, officially known as the Via Podiensis, is one of Europe's most historic and scenic long-distance walking routes. Beginning in the picturesque town of Le Puy-en-Velay in France's Auvergne region, this ancient path stretches approximately 730 kilometres across the French countryside before reaching Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port at the French-Spanish border, where many walkers continue onto the Camino Frances towards Santiago de Compostela.

One of four main historical routes through France, the Via Podiensis has drawn walkers since medieval times and is recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site as part of the Routes of Santiago de Compostela in France. Its history alone makes it one of the most significant walking routes on the continent.

What distinguishes the Via Podiensis from the busier Spanish routes is the experience of walking entirely through France, with a cultural character that is distinctly its own. Rolling hills, ancient villages and remote stretches of countryside create a varied and rewarding journey, quieter and more contemplative than the well-trodden paths further south.

Highlights

  • Walk the full 730km of the Camino Via Podiensis route from Le Puy En Velay to St Jean Pied de Port
  • Explore diverse landscapes from volcanic formations around Le Puy-en-Velay to the rolling hills of Gascony and the majestic Pyrenees near the end.
  • Hike through the medieval towns of Conques (with the Abbey of Sainte-Foy), Figeac, Cahors, Estaing, Moissac, and Lectoure.
  • Taste a variety of wines from Cahors, Gaillac, and other areas along the route and savour regional dishes like foie gras, cassoulet, confit de canard, and cheeses such as Roquefort and Cantal.
  • Explore Le Puy-en-Velay, famous for its cathedral (a UNESCO World Heritage site) and the striking Rocher Saint-Michel.
  • Explore and enjoy ancient monuments of Romanesque churches, medieval bridges, and abbeys such as the Saint-Pierre Abbey in Moissac.
  • Spend each day walking alongside fellow pilgrims on this world-famous route much less crowded route

Itinerary

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What's Included

Accommodation

Hotel (36 nights)

Meals

36 breakfasts

Transfers

  • Luggage Transfers
  • Taxi Transfer

Guidance & Support

  • Itinerary & Walk Notes
  • Walking App for Navigation
  • 24/7 on-trip support

How We Rate This Walk

5

Stroll Walking Grade

Challenging

Rated by our team — we walk every route before we recommend it.

Steeper climbs and longer distances. You'll need good fitness and some hiking experience to fully enjoy these walks.

View Fitness Guide

35

Days on the trail

10-33 km

Daily distance range

19-716 m

Daily ascent range

5/10

Trail difficulty

Where You'll Stay

You will find yourself in family-run hotels and guesthouses that have been welcoming Camino walkers for many years, each with en-suite rooms and an atmosphere shaped by guests who are all on the same long road. Please note that arranging thirty-six consecutive nights across a busy route takes considerable coordination, and walking days may occasionally be slightly adjusted to ensure everything falls into place. Rest assured that where alternative accommodation is substituted for those listed, it will always be of an equivalent quality and in keeping with the standard shown.

Single Rooms

If you are travelling with others but would prefer a single room, we recommend booking as early as possible. Availability can be limited on this popular route and a single occupancy fee applies.

What You'll Eat

Thirty-six breakfasts are included throughout the trip, ensuring every morning on the trail begins well. Lunch is best discovered along the way, and over thirty-seven days the Camino Le Puy gives you plenty of opportunity to do so, with local cheeses, cured meats and a wide variety of breads readily available at stops along the route. Many properties along the way have their own restaurants serving regional dishes made with local ingredients, and dinner can be added as a supplement each evening for those who would like the meal taken care of.

Note: Please advise us of any food allergies or intolerances at the time of booking. If you have severe allergies, bringing some of your own snacks is recommended, as specialist ingredients can be harder to source along the way.

More About This Trip

The walk starts in Le Puy-en-Velay and finishes in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. The most convenient airport is Lyon Saint-Exupéry (LYS), with good international connections. Trains from Lyon city centre reach Le Puy-en-Velay in around 2 hours 15 minutes, with one change at Saint-Étienne. Clermont-Ferrand (CFE) is a smaller regional airport with more limited connections, from where trains reach Le Puy-en-Velay via Saint-Étienne in around 2 hours. Book French rail tickets in advance through SNCF.

The walk ends in Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. The most practical departure option is a bus to Biarritz Pays Basque Airport (BIQ), taking around 1 hour, with onward connections across Europe. Alternatively, a short regional train connects to Bayonne, from where mainline rail services run to Bordeaux, Paris, and beyond.

This walk is available from April to October, with no fixed start days.

This is a substantial undertaking, covering 36 nights across the full length of the Via Podiensis, and choosing your start date carefully is well worth the thought.

Late spring is one of the finest times to set out, with wildflowers on the Aubrac plateau, comfortable temperatures throughout and quieter trails. The weather is generally mild and good for walking from late April through to mid-October, with the most settled conditions between May and September.

Summers are warm and dry across the southern stages, though the open farmland of the Gers and the exposed plateau sections can feel hot in July and August; early starts are advisable.

Late September is a sweet spot, with harvest colour in the vineyards, golden light on the trail and noticeably fewer fellow walkers. Rain is possible at either end of the season, particularly on the Basque approaches to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port. Throughout the route, local festivals add colour to the journey, from the Fête de Saint-Jacques in Le Puy-en-Velay, Conques and Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port to the Renaissance-themed Fêtes du Roi de l'Oiseau and the Festival des Chemins on the Aubrac plateau.

A $1,000 deposit is needed to book this trip. Please ensure you are clear about your dates, as we have to book 36 accommodations and luggage transfers consecutively, and your deposit is non-refundable.

Note: Solo travellers are warmly welcome on this walk. Some transfers are costed on the basis of two people sharing, so a supplement applies for solo bookings. Contact our team for details.

Graded challenging, this tour earns its rating through the demands of consecutive days on the trail rather than the difficulty of any individual stage. Some stages may be slightly shorter or longer than planned to suit accommodation bookings, and you will be notified in advance if this is the case.

Trails are well-defined throughout, following an ancient pilgrim route across varied terrain. Sections of open countryside alternate with urban stretches and road walking, as the route follows the most accurate pilgrim path possible. Good walking boots are essential.

The route is waymarked throughout by the iconic scallop-shell markers, and with fellow pilgrims on the trail, navigation is straightforward. Daily walk notes, maps, and GPX tracks are provided.

You must hold adequate travel insurance for your trip, including cover for personal liability and accidental injury and illness. For all trips involving international travel, your policy must also include emergency medical treatment, evacuation and repatriation cover. We strongly recommend your policy also covers trip cancellation and curtailment, and loss of or damage to luggage.

A cancellation fee usually applies if you cancel after your booking is confirmed. Travel insurance with cancellation cover will generally cover this fee, so it's worth arranging your policy at the time of booking.

Full insurance requirements are set out in our booking terms and conditions.

It will be up to you to place your luggage at the designated luggage pick-up point within the hotel by 8.00 am when required. This generally will be at reception or where you pick up your luggage the night before. Please consult your hosts if any details. Bags must be less than 13kg.

While dinners are not included in the standard package, we strongly recommend adding a dinner supplement for your walk. In many locations along this route, restaurant options are limited or require advance booking, and in some villages, dinner at your accommodation is the only option available.

If you'd like to include a dinner supplement in your booking, please let your consultant know when booking.

Dates & Pricing

Choose Your Start Date

Pick any available date — this is your trip, your schedule

August 2026

Mon
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1Out of season
2Out of season
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Limited
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Out of season

Prices shown are per person, twin/double share basis.

Camino Le Puy reviews

Frequently asked questions

Unfortunately, walkers cannot travel with the luggage. The information you are provided with has details for local taxi numbers, bus and train timetables should you wish to not walk on any day. Your accommodation hosts will also have up to date information and advice should you wish to travel to the next destination by local transport. As always, you can call us in the office should you need help during your walk.

Of course, please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to extend your time in region.

We don't allow children under the age of 12 to do this walk.

Absolutely. Many people choose to complete stages of the Camino as a solo walker. There are many people walking the route and many of the overnight stays welcome hordes of walkers which means you can choose to walk your own journey or join in the camaraderie of walking with others.

Subject to a single occupancy payment, single rooms are available. However, due to the limited accommodation single rooms might not always be available for every night of the tour, but we will let you know your options throughout the booking process.

Of course, we’re happy to discuss your needs.

Of course, please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to extend your time in the region.

We wouldn’t suggest completing the itinerary in less than 38 days but 39 days with an extra night along the way is always a good idea. Speak to the office to insert another rest day if you want to when booking.

Of course, please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to extend your time in the region.

Of course, we’re happy to discuss your needs.

Of course, please let us know at the time of booking if you would like to extend your time in the region by adding rest days or extra time before or after the walk.

There are places we can add extra rest days, please speak to our destination consultants. Conques is described as "one of the nicest towns on the whole Le Puy route," Conques, with its Romanesque Abbey, seems is an ideal place for a break to soak in its beauty and history. Cahors is about half way and is another place to include a rest day. This suggests it's a place worth spending extra time, possibly due to its attractions or amenities.

Want to Know More?

The Camino Le Puy experience

Wonder
Walk all or part of the 730 kilometre Via Podiensis from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Pass through the Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy, one of the great Romanesque pilgrimage shrines of France
Walk through Estaing, Figeac, Cahors, and Moissac, among the most beautiful medieval towns in France
Wellness
A deeply contemplative route across rural France, away from the crowds of the Spanish Camino
Savour regional cuisine and wines at each stage, from Auvergne cheeses to Cahors reds
The quieter nature of this French Camino means authentic encounters with rural communities at every stage
Nature
Begin among the volcanic plateaus of Le Puy-en-Velay and cross the wild Aubrac plateau
Walk through rolling vineyards, lush river valleys, and the gentle hills of Gascony
Finish with the Pyrenees rising ahead as you approach the gateway to Spain at Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port