Le Puy en Velay to any town beyond the Aubrac

[quilt2010]

I am walking the Le Puy en Velay route to Pamplona commencing 2nd week in April. I would prefer to avoid crossing the Aubrac. I expect the weather will be bleak and the route quite lonely. I was therefore considering how to avoid this stage by using public transport. Does anyone have advice on this subject?

If I could connect with a couple of other pilgrims, perhaps we could share a taxi?

alagria

 

[gittiharre]

Total shame to avoid the Aubrac, it is stunning! Never mind about the weather. It could be raw, but beautiful, Gitti

 

[marji]

Was just about to post and then Gitti summed up my sentiments exactly!
I loved the first days of this walk- so much so that I am to return mid May. Rain or shine.
If you are keen on missing this section, why not take a train to Aubrac as there is a station....

 

[robertt]

You're unlikely to be alone in mid-April. Lots of French about, pilgrims and randonneurs. I wouldn't tell anybody to do the Aubrac in the cold like I did (March)...so I'll avoid the responsibility and just agree with Gitti!

 

[Kitsambler]

The best scenery and the best views on the entire Le Puy route - don't miss it. Take Merino or silk long underwear, and good quality weather gear. It's after Easter this year, which usually marks the start of the walking season (most seasonal accommodations are open from Easter to All Saints). Seriously.

 

[newfydog]

I sure liked the Aubrac. Nothing quite like it on any of the routes I have done.

 

[Sagalouts]

sorry we are not giving you the answer you want,but as you can tell from the posts for many myself included the walk over and down was the highlight of the whole walk.
I walked from Le Puy April 1st 2010 10 of us walked the Aubrac.
http://sagalouts-theroadtonowhere.blogs ... story.html

Ian

 

[quilt2010]

Hi everyone, thank you for all your comments and yes I agree it is a rather spectacular stage of the route. However, in May 2006 when I walked Le Puy to Santiago d.c., this stage was cold, bleak and hardly any pilgrims around. This time I will be stating out mid way through April. I didn't mind the cold but the absence of other pilgrims was rather difficult for me. As an Australian, I value my personal space and enjoy walking alone but I don't like to eat alone and I enjoy the company of other pilgrims immensely in the evenings. Alagria

 

[KiwiNomad06]

Hi alagria- ahhh so you have walked this route before so know how harsh it can indeed be. I don't have details for transport across it, but I am sure that once you reach somewhere like Aumont-Aubrac you will be able to find information if the weather is bad. There are luggage services in the area these days that also convey pilgrims, but in any case, the road distance from Aumont-Aubrac to the lower level of St Chely d'Aubrac is not so far. Perhaps a taxi would be available and not too expensive.

I walked the route mid-April in 2008, and the weather was indeed bleak. There was so much fog on day 2, I couldn't see much at all- and in any case the gite owner advised us to walk the road route as the chemin was so wet from rain the previous day. However, it was a challenge that in hindsight I remember 'fondly'. I re-walked it last year in early May and the weather was superb- close to 30C, and I walked in the sunshine in a t-shirt. The contrast in weather conditions was quite staggering!

I hope it all works out for you, and maybe you will in fact be 'lucky' with the weather.
Margaret

 

[mtcab]

I will be in Le Puy on the 19th and 20th of April and plan to begin my walk from there to SJPP and then on to ??? the Northern route ...wherever my feet are willing to go! Spring is coming!!! Company for a beer or wine is always welcome!
Carmel

 

[Deleted member 3000]

You will catch us! We head for Saint Christophe sur Dolaison on April 17, and will walk under 15 km per day for at least a week. We will be the language-challenged Americans, and are happy to share wine anytime.

Bon chemin!

Current best guess:
1) We, 17-Apr-2013 Le Puy-en-Velay - Saint-Christophe-sur-Dolaison
2) Th, 18-Apr-2013 Saint-Christophe-sur-Dolaison - Saint-Privat-d'Allier
3) Fr, 19-Apr-2013 Saint-Privat-d'Allier - Saugues
4) Sa, 20-Apr-2013 Saugues - Le Sauvage
5) Su, 21-Apr-2013 Le Sauvage - Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole
6) Mo, 22-Apr-2013 Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole - Aumont-Aubrac

 

[C-Team2]

I am going to find myself miraculously in Montuq on April 23 and when my feet catch up with my wings I will start walking. I am sad to miss the mountains . Next time! Watch for me in the bright pink baseball cap and bright green rain jacket.
Carol

 

[robertt]

I met up with a Pom, who was a Le Puy resident, in a bar before starting in March 2010. We argued about sport and agreed to continue the "discussion" the next day at Saint-Christophe, where he had a weekend market stall. Not only were he and the market not there the next day, the town's streets were completely deserted, because the wind was so impossibly strong. When I finally encountered two Quebecois, my first pilgrim buddies, we had to scream to introduce ourselves. Just standing up was a prob.

Then the snow. Ah, the Aubrac! I just loved that cranky old plateau. Want to go back.

 

[Deleted member 3000]

the Aubrac! I just loved that cranky old plateau.

I learned a new word there, grêle!

 

[vicrev]

Good on ya Robertt,nothing like a bit of strine to brighten things up !!........Vicr

 

[Mark M]

Any advice welcome. I'm two days away from the Aubrac. The weather is forecast good for the region but does the Aubrac have it's own weather?