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LePuy to SJPP takes 5-6 weeks. SJPP to SDC takes about 6-7 weeks.I was thinking that we could walk LePuy starting in mid May-ish, reaching SJPP by the end of June. Then take a summer break and walk in Spain (haven't decided about the Frances via the Invierno or the Norte) starting early September-ish and finishing by mid October.
May and September are the most popular walking months because they have the best weather. There are three long holiday weekends in May: May Day on May 1, V-E Day on May 8, and Pentecost (which is a moveable feast, falling ~50 days after Easter). The French will make 4 (or 5 or 6) day weekends out of these opportunities, and like to start a holiday walk then. The young retirees like to walk in September, starting as soon as they have delivered the grandkids back to their parents. Book well ahead, especially if you have limited French, for those months. Or, start mid-week and be very flexible; you should still be calling a day or two in advance for booking. Even in those months, the numbers on the Le Puy route are about 10% of what you find on the C. Frances. Thatis, about 40-50/day.Posts in this forum seem to suggest that May is a very crowded time on the Le Puy Route. But I don't know what "very crowded" means. Will we have trouble finding lodging even with advance booking? Are we going to be in a horde of French vacation walker groups ala Sarria to Santiago?
The least crowded months would be August (quite hot), and late October through mid-March (quite cold). They problem with both those timeframes is that at least half the gites are closed for the season. Even if not officially closed, if there is no booking, the owners might take the weekend off and seek more favorable climes.What are other opinions on the best, most beautiful or least crowded (I'm interested in all three) times to walk the Le Puy Route?
As Americans you can stay longer than 90 days in the Schengen area as long as you spend those extra days in Poland and/or Denmark (only.) See this thread in the forum: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...eding-a-visa-updates-or-how-tos-please.46776/Thanks for the warning on Schengen we are very aware of the limitations and are planning around them.
Wow, thanks for this thread. I am doing some research on Long stay visas in France and Spain also. I’ll post what I discover. LAs Americans you can stay longer than 90 days in the Schengen area as long as you spend those extra days in Poland and/or Denmark (only.) See this thread in the forum: https://www.caminodesantiago.me/com...eding-a-visa-updates-or-how-tos-please.46776/
This visa thing is complicated but the thread can help you to start research in spending more time in Europe.
I'm impressed! My average was 15-16 km; on a few occasions driven to 20-22 by geography were quite the challenge. It's important to get a sense of one's own capabilities. And the Le Puy (especially the first half) has much more up/down than the C. Frances.@ebrandt
While I had a few days below 20 km most were over 30 km.
I'm impressed! My average was 15-16 km; on a few occasions driven to 20-22 by geography were quite the challenge. It's important to get a sense of one's own capabilities. And the Le Puy (especially the first half) has much more up/down than the C. Frances.
Hi Alwyn, thanks for the info. Did you run into any snow or bad conditions at the higher altitudes?
For the first ten days (through Conques) you are at elevation on the plateau, and April is very early spring. Snow is possible ( not likely though). May can be quite rainy - which makes the path into streams and mud-wallows. Pack for wet and changeable weather.the weather in April & May?
My husband and I are planning to walk from Le Puy to Santiago in 2020.
I suggest that you start your own thread, to give your questions the attention they deserve. Buen Camino!Great thread.
I am planning to walk Sept 2020. I will have my 40th birthday while overseas.
I was to'ing and fro'ing as to which route to take, as I realistically only have two weeks to walk, but for some reason the Le Puy is very appealing to me over the other choices. I am looking at walking from Le Puy to Conques as that seems a nice part to do in the time I have. I know that not completing the whole route will have me feeling restless, but it is a big deal to even be able to go away at all for a few weeks, as my younger two children still live at home and we are not a family of 'means', we get by and live comfortably, but this kind of a trip is a really special thing so I will be very fortunate to be be there for part of the trail at all.
Alwyn, I liked reading the distances that you walked, as when I walk solo, as I will be next year, I tend to want to cover at least 25+km a day, anything less has me 'twiddling my thumbs' a little once I am done. I still enjoy the scenery, I just move fast on my own.
I had been contemplating booking my accomodation through an agency, which is very unlike me as I like to be totally independent, but in these initial stages it all seems quite overwhelming to plan out. Living in Australia, I have ventured to South East Asia several times and feel confident winging it there....but Europe! Wowsers, that's so far out of my comfort zone.
I need to be able to get myself somewhere at the conclusion of the walk to meet up with my husband, who will be traveling to watch the Moto GP race in Aragon. Oh and see me for my 40th birthday too! Once we meet up, we will travel onwards to Zaragoza, Spain and be based there for the duration of the race time, so that I may wander at leisure in the day and he may go and watch bikes go fast. I am thinking Pamplona could be a good spot to meet? Or alternatively I could travel to Toulouse or Paris and spend a day or two there with him before heading to Spain? Any thoughts from those who have actually been to Europe on where would be best to meet up would most gratefully received. Indeed ANY input on my trip planning also gratefully received- it all seems HUGE to me.
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