App recommendation for the Cele Valley?

[Cleenjones]

I’m currently walking the Le Puy and loving it! But as of today I’m running into a bit of navigation problem. I took my first variant today and ended up doing a lot of road walking because neither of my tried and true apps (Buen Camino and Podiensis) show the variants.

The Cele Valley variant is coming up fast and and I’m wondering if someone could recommend an app that works well for it (GR651) I’ve looked at AllTrails, but a couple of the reviews indicated that the app innacurate for the Cele.

Thanks!

 

[Former member 104756]

Hi there. Bonjour

We walked the Cele Valley variant a few months ago. We didn’t have an app but I had a kindle version of the Cicerone Le Puy Guidebook which includes the Cele Valley Variant. It was written by Dave Whitson aka @Dave. We found the path well marked.

If you are staying in Cabrerets, I highly recommend visiting La Grotte du Pêche Merle after you arrive or the next morning - it’s on the Way out of town. You’d be well advised to book. It’s extraordinary. We booked online in advance for the first tour of the morning. I think it was 9.30.

Centre de préhistoire et grotte du Pech Merle

Visite du centre de préhistoire et de la grotte ornée du Pech Merle à Cabrerets dans la Vallée du Lot au coeur du Parc naturel des Causses de Quercy et des grands site d'Occitanie.

www.pechmerle.com

So glad you are enjoying the Le Puy Way and trust you will enjoy the Cele Valley variant. We loved it. We live a little further along in Lectoure.

 

[Pafayac]

Mapy.cz
For accomodations there is a specific volume of Miam Miam Dodo.
I advice to have a stop at Chacun son Chemin in Livinhac le haut, and ask the hospitalero.
He perfectly knows this variant.

 

[Scott Fraser]

I’m currently walking the Le Puy and loving it! But as of today I’m running into a bit of navigation problem. I took my first variant today and ended up doing a lot of road walking because neither of my tried and true apps (Buen Camino and Podiensis) show the variants.

The Cele Valley variant is coming up fast and and I’m wondering if someone could recommend an app that works well for it (GR651) I’ve looked at AllTrails, but a couple of the reviews indicated that the app innacurate for the Cele.

Thanks!

I walked the variant in 2019 and couldn’t find an app that covered it. I downloaded French topo maps and an overlay of the route, then printed them out. You can’t do that unless you have lots of time and bandwidth, but here’s an overview of the route (see below). I suggest you try using Google maps (satellite view) and your phone GPS. Take the towns off the map below. Put them into Google Maps and use directions for walking. This will get you headed in the right direction. Then look for the GR 651 trail markings. The route is pretty well marked. Use your phone GPS to keep from getting lost.

 

[Landstar]

I’m currently walking the Le Puy and loving it! But as of today I’m running into a bit of navigation problem. I took my first variant today and ended up doing a lot of road walking because neither of my tried and true apps (Buen Camino and Podiensis) show the variants.

The Cele Valley variant is coming up fast and and I’m wondering if someone could recommend an app that works well for it (GR651) I’ve looked at AllTrails, but a couple of the reviews indicated that the app innacurate for the Cele.

Thanks!

WISE PILGRAM

 

[world walker]

I’m currently walking the Le Puy and loving it! But as of today I’m running into a bit of navigation problem. I took my first variant today and ended up doing a lot of road walking because neither of my tried and true apps (Buen Camino and Podiensis) show the variants.

The Cele Valley variant is coming up fast and and I’m wondering if someone could recommend an app that works well for it (GR651) I’ve looked at AllTrails, but a couple of the reviews indicated that the app innacurate for the Cele.

Thanks!

Cele is gorgeous. No need of your phone. Great signs and lovely

 

[BlackRocker57]

I’m currently walking the Le Puy and loving it! But as of today I’m running into a bit of navigation problem. I took my first variant today and ended up doing a lot of road walking because neither of my tried and true apps (Buen Camino and Podiensis) show the variants.

The Cele Valley variant is coming up fast and and I’m wondering if someone could recommend an app that works well for it (GR651) I’ve looked at AllTrails, but a couple of the reviews indicated that the app innacurate for the Cele.

Thanks!

Bonjour @Cleenjones à propos apps for the GR651 Célé valley variante. The most reliable apps for the Célé are iPhiGéNie [with IGN / GeoPortail base maps], GeoPortail [mapping app published by IGN, the national mapping agency of France], Mapy.cz and MapOut. All of them will help you nagivate the Célé variante, should you require it. The trail is well waymarked with the traditional red-and-white blazes … and it is magnificent. Forget about apps such as AllTrails that are essentially based on other peoples’ traces of the route. iPhiGéNie is the best of them all but the others are also very accurate.

 

[BlackRocker57]

Here’s a sample screenshot from iPhiGéNie :

 

[Camino Chrissy]

I used the "Lightfoot Guide to the Via Podiensis" Guidebook by Angelynn Meya in 2018. I had no apps at that time, but my friends and I managed to follow the Cele Valley variant with no real trouble using the guide book with its included maps and extra information. I did have a few downloaded offline maps with us.
As others have said, it is beautiful, gorgeous, magnificent, and I will add absolutely stunning!

 

[sunflowers]

Is it necessary to book ahead on the Cele Variant in July/August? I am not necessarily wanting the demi pension, but perhaps there are limited options in this regard? Thank you.

 

[Scott Fraser]

Is it necessary to book ahead on the Cele Variant in July/August? I am not necessarily wanting the demi pension, but perhaps there are limited options in this regard? Thank you.

I suggest you book ahead. July and especially August are big vacation months.

 

[Pafayac]

Is it necessary to book ahead on the Cele Variant in July/August? I am not necessarily wanting the demi pension, but perhaps there are limited options in this regard? Thank you.

I am not very fond of booking ahead, but you should know that there are very few accommodations on the Voie du Célé. Furthermore, this nice walk is not only followed by pilgrims, but also by hikers (following "Le Tour du Lot", for instance).
Therefore I strongly suggest to book ahead on this Variant, namely because, as @Scott Fraser wrote it is french holidays during summer.
Please, notice that if you fail in founding enough accommodations and if a walking day appears as too long, you can use a canoë on the Célé in order to replace your legs by your hands on a few kilometers, for instance between Marcilhac-sur-Célé and Cabrerets...

 

[sunflowers]

Will the GR65, from Figeac to Cahor, be as busy as Cele route at this time? I have not walked either ways and am open to the exploration! Like many, I am would love to experience the beauty and splendour of the valley. You have all given such stella reviews...

But, given the busy-ness of French summer hikers in early August, would you recommend staying on the GR65? What are the pluses of this way? Thank you in advance for your input!

 

[BlackRocker57]

Will the GR65, from Figeac to Cahor, be as busy as Cele route at this time? I have not walked either ways and am open to the exploration! Like many, I am would love to experience the beauty and splendour of the valley. You have all given such stella reviews...

But, given the busy-ness of French summer hikers in early August, would you recommend staying on the GR65? What are the pluses of this way? Thank you in advance for your input!

Both the GR65 and GR651 are likely to be a little busy, but not hugely so, especially if it is hot ... there’s a bit more accommodation on the GR65 ...

 

[sunflowers]

OK, thank you. B-rocker.
Which route do you prefer and what are the positives of GR65? (continuing on from Figeac to Cahor).

 

[BlackRocker57]

OK, thank you. B-rocker.
Which route do you prefer and what are the positives of GR65? (continuing on from Figeac to Cahor).

GR651 Voie du Célé is spectacular, fabulous valley views, more strenuous but do-able ... I have not walked it in August but have walked elsewhere on the GR65 in August ... to avoid being out in the sun at the hottest time of day, I would plan for speedy departure after breakfast and shorter stages. Critical to carry water as it can be hard to find. There are a number of pretty campgrounds [with refreshments and snacks or simple meals] along the river and river beaches for swimming ... huge bonus if the heat is oppressive