Hello all, I've just finished 3+ weeks on the Arles route. My original intent was to walk as far as Punta la Reina, but I've made a last minute decision to take the train to Hendaye and start the Camino Del Norte instead.
I can take a lot of my own company, but after 3+ weeks spending more time on my tablet than with other people, I'm ready for a change. I knew there would be fewer people than on the Le Puy route, but there are just too few, and none in my age group. The trail is beautiful though - I would even do it again - just not alone.
Since I've found so much helpful information on this forum, I thought I'd jot down a few notes that might be helpful for those considering this route.
1. St. Guilhem to St. Gervais-sur-Mare is absolutely spectacular. I suspect St. Gervais to Murat-sur-Vebre was also, but the weather was so rotten I didn't see anything. Incidentally, that day was the only day I've ever felt like I was taking a significant risk in walking by myself. There was no one else on that section of the trail that day, and had I slipped and fallen, hypothermia could have been a problem.
2. I recommend the Gite Communal at Boissezon, the home of Dr. Py in Castres, the Gite Lamothe just before L'Isle Arne, the Gite run by the Amis de Saint Jacques in Baziege, and the gite of Mr. et Mme. Patrick Robert in Marciac. All are listed in MMDD.
3. I usually reserved only when I wanted demi-pension. Nothing was full except one night on a long weekend. I was sometimes the only guest.
4. The Gite communal in Angles is servicable, but a bit dismal.
5. Consider a rest day in Pau, which is lovely and has lots to do.
I can take a lot of my own company, but after 3+ weeks spending more time on my tablet than with other people, I'm ready for a change. I knew there would be fewer people than on the Le Puy route, but there are just too few, and none in my age group. The trail is beautiful though - I would even do it again - just not alone.
Since I've found so much helpful information on this forum, I thought I'd jot down a few notes that might be helpful for those considering this route.
1. St. Guilhem to St. Gervais-sur-Mare is absolutely spectacular. I suspect St. Gervais to Murat-sur-Vebre was also, but the weather was so rotten I didn't see anything. Incidentally, that day was the only day I've ever felt like I was taking a significant risk in walking by myself. There was no one else on that section of the trail that day, and had I slipped and fallen, hypothermia could have been a problem.
2. I recommend the Gite Communal at Boissezon, the home of Dr. Py in Castres, the Gite Lamothe just before L'Isle Arne, the Gite run by the Amis de Saint Jacques in Baziege, and the gite of Mr. et Mme. Patrick Robert in Marciac. All are listed in MMDD.
3. I usually reserved only when I wanted demi-pension. Nothing was full except one night on a long weekend. I was sometimes the only guest.
4. The Gite communal in Angles is servicable, but a bit dismal.
5. Consider a rest day in Pau, which is lovely and has lots to do.