Le Puy en Velay - Nasbinals
7 days/6 nights/5 walking days  | Le Puy-en-Velay, and its cathedral constructed 'on air' , constitute the starting point for this stage of the Via Podiensis. It is with regret that the traveller takes leave of this lovely town in the direction of the Allier and Gevaudan Gorges, followed by the wild Aubrac countryside, before arriving at Nasbinals, a charming town built around its Romanesque church. |
Day 1: Arrival at Le Puy-en-Velay
Day 2: Le Puy – St Privat d'Allier
Altitude at departure: 625m/2063ft
The route climbs up to the high plateau of the Velay. On the horizon is the silouhette of the Deves mountains. Away to our left are the higher peaks as we descend gently towards St. Privat overlooking the Allier gorges.
Altitude at arrival: 890m/2937ft
24 kms/15 miles, 6 hours walking Day 3: St. Privat – Saugues
Altitude at departure: 890m/2937ft
The route overlooks the gorges as far as Rochegude (967m/3191ft), dominated by an ancient tower, then down to the Allier itself, which we cross at Monistrol (619m/2043ft). Then it climbs up again to the plateau (+400m/1320ft) before arriving at Saugues, well known for its wild mushrooms.
Altitude at arrival: 960m/3168ft 20 kms/12.5 miles 5 hours walking.
Day 4: Saugues – Les Faux
Altitude at departure: 960m/3168ft
Today the route crosses the solitary highlands of the Margeride at over 1000m/3300ft, as far as the L'Hospitalet pass (1304m/4303ft). After the chapel at St. Roch a sign records that there are only 1443 kms/902 miles to Santiago. The hamlet of Les Faux, just off the route, is tiny but the inn, a handsome stone building, offers you a well-deserved rest.
Altitude at arrival: 1113m/3673ft, 30 kms/18.75 miles, 8 hours
Day 5: Les Faux – Aumont Aubrac
Altitude de départ : 1113m/3673ft
After Saint Alban de Limagnole (950m/3135ft), where we arrive after little morte than an hour, we continue across an impressive and beautiful granite plateau. At Pont des Estrets (932m/3076ft) there is a toll to pay for crossing the Truyere and then the route follows the ancient Roman 'Agrippa Way' (Lyon-Toulouse) that takes us to Aumont Aubrac.
Altitude at arrival: 1050m/3465m, 16 kms/10 miles, 4 hours
Day 6: Aumont Aubrac – Nasbinals
Altitude at departure: 1050m/3465ft
With the Margeride behind us, now we tackle the Aubrac. An immense plateau of pasture and marshy moorland, bristling with granite boulders, you will meet more livestock than people – the cattle here, the Aubrac, are wonderful, with their honey-coloured coat and lyre-shaped horns. After a place known as 'The Four Tracks' (1178m/3887ft), the route continues across Riutort (lierally, 'The twisted stream') to Nasbinals.
Altitude at arrival: 1180m/3894ft, 26 kms/16.25miles, 6 hours 45
Day 7: End of holiday after breakfast.
