Itinerary

[biloute]

I tried out the godesalco.com site to put together my itinerary from Le Puy to SJPdP and came up with this. Does it sound reasonable? Any suggestions?

I thought the site was pretty good, although I didn't see any way to tell what the lodge options are, just that they're there.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

That is five days faster than I did it, but don't judge your abilities on my abilities!

 

[wayfarer]

Looks good but IMO you should + 2days to allow for rest/injury.

 

[biloute]

I plan to rest at least 2 days, but one of them is in SJPdP. Any suggestions for where to spend another rest day?

I was also wondering how long it takes to go about 25km, since that's my average. My unit converter says my longest stretch (33.4km) is about 21 miles and depending on how slow I go that could take 10 hours. Long day! I think that was along an easier stretch topographically, though.

 

[dalston999]

I usually average about 4km per hour unless very tired to steeply uphill so that's what I generally work on. I find 20 -25 km in a day about right.

 

[giorgio]

For detail info on the itinerary and accomodation you can check the Guides (in french) of FFRP ( french federation of hicking) here
http://www.ffrandonnee.fr/_254/gr-65.aspx
more focused on accomodation is the miam miam dodo guide
http://www.levieuxcrayon.com/MMDDGR65/MMDDGR65.html

 

[Deleted member 12253]

I plan to rest at least 2 days, but one of them is in SJPdP. Any suggestions for where to spend another rest day?

I was also wondering how long it takes to go about 25km, since that's my average. My unit converter says my longest stretch (33.4km) is about 21 miles and depending on how slow I go that could take 10 hours. Long day! I think that was along an easier stretch topographically, though.

I am a slow walker, 12 mns km, or 1hour 5 km, so 4 hrs to walk 20 km, etc, average for me 25 km in 6 hrs. My walking not for everybody Buen camino

 

[Thornley]

Hi Biloute,
Good to see the slow start .
I have concerns about ,
[1 ] 33km from Estaing to Conques. We found the going hard because of recent rain especially the start , the GR was closed so we took the other route which was on the road for the first few km and the last km's into Conques can be very dangerous if wet.
[2] 30km from St Jean le Vieux to Roncesvalles whilst doable will be very hard. Most stay at Orrison when commencing but you will be warmed up one would think.
Still a hard slog.

If you are having a days rest @ St JPDP as indicated then the last paragraph is not applicable.

If the weather is a problem this itinerary will be hard mate , believe me.
We took the best part of a day when leaving Monistrol - d- Allier. The climb is just as hard as the first stage from St Jean Pied de Port to Orrison.
More dangerous if wet because you are on a grass path . You rise 500m in 4km and if raining you will HAVE to use the rope on the path beside the chapelle de Madelaine.
If the weather is fine have your camera ready for the most wonderful views.
The reason i mentioned this last bit is that this GR can become strenuous if raining so please don't book too far ahead until after the aubrac.

You stages are nearly 100% except i agree with Wayferer and Falcon who suggest a few extra days on the path.
Your body will tell you when to stop and have a rest day.

 

[biloute]

Thanks for the advice. I won't push myself past my limits, and it's good to hear which parts are more strenuous. I might end up going slower for a while because my mom is thinking of coming with me. She 67 and not in the best shape, currently.

As for booking ahead, I figured I'd play it by ear and see how it goes, not booking ahead more than the morning before I plan to arrive somewhere. I'll probably have a tent with me so if a place is full when I get there, I'd have a backup. I might add on a few days and set my flight for the next Monday, instead, which would give me some more wiggle room.