8 days /7 nights / 6 walking days

This beautiful section of the Via Podiensis makes its way across the green hills of the Basque country to the notable village of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, built on the banks of the Nive.

Day 1: Arrive Aire-sur-Adour

Day 2: Aire-sur-Adour – Arzacq Arraziguet
Altitude at departure: 81m/267ft
This first section is partly in the Landes but away from the forests and pines and instead making its way over countryside, where maze blazes around spinneys and copses. As we reach the Pyrenees Atlantiques, a sign informs us that there are still 924 kms/577.5 miles to Compostela. Possibility of slightly shortening this day by following an alternative path.
Altitude at arrival: 231m/762ft, 32 kms/20 miles, 8 hours

Day 3:  Arzacq Arraziguet – Maslacq
Altitude at departure: 31m/762ft
Today we enter Bearn, becoming ever closer to the Pyrenees. Fields and wooded valleys as far as Arthez de Bearn (211m/696ft), perched above the Gave plain. Then it is down to the Gave de Pau before reaching Maslacq.
Altitude at arrival: 78m/257ft, 30.5 kms/19 miles, 8 hours

Day 4: Maslacq – Navarrenx
Altitude at departure: 78m/257ft
Initially we follow the Gave de Pau before going up higher from where there are magnificent views of the Pyrenees. Down to Sauvelade before reaching a high point of 251m/828ft. Then a sharp descent through forest as far as Meritein (148m/488ft) before reaching the almost entirely fortified town of Navarrenx.
Altitude at arrival: 125m/413ft, 22 kms/13.75 miles, 5 hours 45 mins 

Day 5: Navarrenx – St. Palais
Altitude at departure: 125m/413ft
We remain in the Bearn as far as the Gave de Mauleon, before reentering the Basque country. At the 'Stele de Gibralter', which marks the supposed meeting point of the routes from Le Puy, Tours and Vezeley, we need to go north to get to St Palais. Originally not on the route, from the 13th century St. Palais became popular with pilgrims as a staging-post.
Altitude at arrival: 50m/165ft, 30 kms/18.75 miles, 7 hours

Day 6: St. Palais – Larceveau
Altitude at departure: 50m/165ft
We are clearly in the Basque country and we meander over green hills to  the charming white village of Ostabat (124m/409ft) before continuing on to Larceveau.
Altitude at arrival: 160m/528ft, 15 kms/9.4 miles, 3 hours 45 mins

Day 7: Larceveau – St. Jean-Pied-de-Port
Altitude at departure: 160m/528ft
This is officially the last entirely French stage of the Via Podiensis. The landscapes are superb and the town of St. Jean-Pied-de-Port is magical. On the way you will pass the old cross of Galzetaburu (262m/865ft).
Altitude at arrival: 180m/594ft, 18 kms/11.25 miles, 5 hours 15 mins