Month: July 2023
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Day 9: Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac to Saint-Côme-d’Olt
~11 miles, lots of downhill Another very challenging day. It started off quite lovely, with some of the best trail we have walked so far, but ended on rough, sun exposed trail, and very hot temperatures (over 90 degrees). We also met an adorable donkey being walked by a French couple and their dog (walking…
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Day 8: Montgros to Saint-Chély-d’Aubrac
~13 miles, long difficult descent Today was a long hard day that included about 1500 ft of elevation loss on steep, rocky paths. As we descended into the valley, the temperature rose and the wide open plateau was replaced by basalt spires, green grass, and dense forest. Before the long descent, we had an amazing…
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Day 7: Aumont-Aubrac to Montgros
~15 miles, across the Aubrac Plateau, rolling hills and very little shade Wow, wow, wow! What an absolutely stunning place this is! I think it took us two hours longer that anticipated because we stopped to take so many photos (that of course do no justice to this place). The area is a high plateau…
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Day 6: Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole to Aumont-Aubrac
~10 miles, rolling hills, and little shade Day 6 feels like we are finally in a rythme and the days are beginning to blend together. We just finished approximately 60 miles in total. It was also the hottest day yet, highs in mid-70s, but somehow it felt like the 90s. I’m not sure if it’s…
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Day 5: Chazeaux to Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole
~12 miles, rolling hills The day began with a light, misty rain and lovely forested paths. We stopped for tea and ice cream at Domaine du Sauvage, a well known, and loved, pilgrim accommodation along the way. We continued through managed forests and open fields and I think our bodies are starting to feel the…
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Day 4: Saugues to Chazeaux
~10 miles (rolling hills, very little shade) Today my body (mostly my feet and legs) is sore and I’m glad for a break from the big hills. However, the sun was intense and there was very little shade along the route. I’m feeling a little crispy despite my long pants and long sleeves and big…
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Day 3: Monistrol-d’Allier to Saugues
~10 miles (big uphill and then rolling hills) Today was challenging, although not as difficult as yesterday. The route went up the mountain instead of down, but the path was wider and not quite as vertical as the day before. Shortly after leaving Monistrol-d’Allier we came across a small chapel dedicated to Mary Magdalene built…
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Day 2: Montbonnet to Monistrol-d’Allier
~10 miles, mostly downhill (but very steep and difficult) Todays walk was hard. We descended about 1500 feet in just a few miles; the track was near vertical and filled with rocks and roots and lined with blackberry and stinging nettle. The long decent was rough on my knees, but we went slow and managed…
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Day 1: Le Puy to Montbonnet
~10 miles, mostly uphill (although fairly easy overall) I’m not even sure where to begin. Today was a multitude of days all contained within about 10 miles of waking. We started in Le-Puy-en-Valley and ended in Montbonnet, crossing farmlands, fields, tiny villages, and many hills. The day was relatively cool (low 60’s) and it rained…
It Could Be Sunshine 