Walking from 19 May

[SumitW]

Hi everybody,

I'll be setting off from Le Puy from 19 May and wanted to run my itinerary for the first few days by the seasoned walkers among you to make sure I wont be caught by a surprise difficult day etc.

19 May - Le Puy to Montbonnet (19.3 km)
20 May - Montbonnet to Monistrol d'Allier (13.5 km)
21 May - Monistrol to Saugues (12 km)
22 May - Saugues to Saint Alban sur Limagnole (30.8 km)
23 May - St Alban to Lasbros (19 km)

I don't want to plan to much so i'll leave it at this for now, bearing in mind that i'll have to phone ahead to reserve my bed.

I've planned two short days as I believe these sections will be particularly hilly; can anyone confirm?

Cheers and bon chemin!
Sumit

 

[billmclaughlin]

I certainly know people who've taken your approach. The descent into Monistrol and ascent out of Monistrol are memorably difficult, but not so hard that you can't organize your stages to do both in one day. (Note: not hilly, but steep down and steep up.) You may find yourself sitting at the bottom in Monistrol mid-day wondering if you shouldn't just push on up the hill. Depends on your experience and fitness, etc.

I'd just suggest being open to discovering how you feel and rethinking your plans as you go. Reservations aren't hard to change.

My stages were:
Le Puy to St. Privat 24.3
St. Privat via Monistrol to Saugues 19
Saugues to St Albin sur Lamingole 32.8

Just a slightly longer first day to get in position for the down/up of day 2.

Bon courage!

 

[gittiharre]

I recommend the following stops.
Montbonnet
Monistrol
Le Villaret d' Apchier 22 km
St Albans
Just need to look up the kms but I think you will find this will ease you in nicely.

 

[SumitW]

Thanks both.

I remember finding the ascent from St Jean to Orisson tough so I may well stick to splitting the ascent and descent.

Still got time to decide though.