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Except for the need to avoid the final leg to Somport when it’s wet, the walk is fabulous. If you have to, there is a very convenient bus that runs from Urdos to Somport for 2 euro. If I’m not mistaken you can take it a little further to the train station if you plan on walking the Aragones and...
If you are short on time you can take the train all the way to Bedous which is perhaps one of the most beautiful sections of the Arles. The train does not go any further but there is a convenient and comfortable bus that can take you to Somport in no time at all. Maison Luard in Bedous is run by...
Without a doubt the most useful resource is Gronze.com. If you open it in a Google Chrome browser it will translate into English. It has incredibly detailed information on many, many routes with distances, elevations, lodging, etc. They also have easily downloadable tracks that were more...
Hi Sinead,
I walked from Arles to Toulouse last August/September and posted on the forum of my experience: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/arles-to-somport-reports.64232/. Hopefully it will give you a good idea of what to expect.
My suggestion given your limited time would be...
Consider Gronze.com as a more than sufficient (maybe even better) alternative. I used it extensively on the Arles this year and can’t say enough good things about it. I looked at a Miam Miam Dodo in a local store while walking the route and concluded it didn’t offer anything I wasn’t getting...
Oloron-Sainte-Marie to Bedous
I did this stage in May with my youngest son but I’m including it for completeness. We stayed at the Accueil Pelerins Le Relais du Bastet. It’s very clean and a good place to stay. The only challenge is they close the doors at 8 so eating out is difficult as few...
Yup, totally get your rest stop and lack of alcoholic refreshment comments having gone through there two nights ago!
Thanks for encouraging the walk along the canal. My experience was like yours. Beautiful, peaceful, a real treat.
Castres to Dourgne, Dourgne/Revel to Casses, Les Casses to Port Laurangais, Port Laurangais to Ayguesvive
Castre to Dourgne: After a six day rest period I went back out on the trail to head to the Abbaye Sainte Scholastique in Dourgne. The leg was tight but the weather promising and the stage...
You’ll appreciate any weight you can shed once you go roughly from Grabels to La Salvetat sur Agout. The weather is still warm with mild evenings and the forecast doesn’t call for any really cold weather. I’d opt for @Dan’s suggestion and bring a silk liner to curl into.
Good to know about the possible lack of provisions in Ayguesvives. It won’t be the first time I’ve relied on my reserve trail mix and an apple if need be. Maybe Montferrand is the place to stay. Not sure if they serve wine with the communal meal!
I’m also glad to hear the walk along the canal...
Thanks so much - I was looking at the Fasthotel option as accommodations seem scare in that area. It’s either that or the church in Montferrand. Staying at either will make the next stage a little longer than I’d like unless I take the Canal du Midi.
Does anyone know if you can walk the Canal du Midi from the point a few km before Montferrand (which is a short distance before Avignonet Lauragais) into Toulouse?
That’s good info about the interim stops before Auch. I knew about skipping the confusing exit and urban landscape by going to Pibrac but didn’t know the above. However, the overriding reason for fast forwarding to Auch is my schedule. I burned six days on recovery and only had 3 cushion.
After six days of rest, including frequent icing of my calf muscle, I am ready to begin again. I will start from Castres to the Abbaye at Dourgne tomorrow morning. I plan to walk the five Gronze stages to Toulouse and then skip forward to Auch by train. I’ll post more after I’ve been on the...
Salvetat sur Agout to Anglès, Anglès to Boissezon, Boissezon to Castres
I woke up in Salvetat with sore hips and a very tight left calf. Warning - sleeping in the GC - or likely anywhere in the old city is difficult. The church bells are loud and go off multiple times an hour all night long...
Yes, if you have the time, taking it in smaller pieces would be a great idea - you’d also get to enjoy the natural beauty more. On the trek to Saint Gervais, starting at La Bousquet de Orb will help bring that day down in size. As I was walking from Lunas I was wondering why I hadn’t done that.
Report for Saint Gervais sur Mare to Murat sur Vèbre and Murat sur Vèbre to La Salvetat sur Agout:
The first day in this section - to Murat sur Vèbre - was noticeably easier than yesterday. The climbing was still significant but less challenging overall. Only one section was particularly steep...
OK, time for an update. I’ve walked Grabels to Saint Jean de Foz. Then to Saint Satunin de Lucian. Then to Lodeve, then to Lunas, and today to Saint Gervais sur Mare. In general, waymarkings have been very good. Given the remoteness of today, I am surprised there were not more waymarks to be...
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