Via Podiensis Puy to the Pyrenees
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Nasbinals - Conques 7 days / 6 nights / 5 walking days  | After the wilderness of the Aubrac, the winding valley of the Lot is very welcome. The route climbs up to the Rouergue before reaching the magnificent town of Conques. |
Day 1: Arrive Nasbinals
Day 2: Nasbinals – St. Chely d'Aubrac
Altitude at dparture: 1180m/3894ft
This section begins on the high plateau of the Aubrac. 'In loco horroris et vastae solitudinis...' (in this place of horror and profound solitude), words once engraved on the pediment of the monastery at Aubrac, which well express the fears of the pilgrims of the past. Today we may tramp these sumptuous pastures with a light heart; and just before the village of Aubrac, we cross a pass at 1360m/4480ft and pass from the Lozere departement to the Aveyron.
Altitude at arrival: 808m/2666ft, 24.6 kms/15.4 miles, 6 hours Day 3: St. Chely – Espalion
Altitude at departure: 808m/2666ft
The trail continues via the 'old bridge', crossing the Boralde de St. Chely (792m/2614ft) for the first time. Then come to L'Estrade on the plateau before going down again to cross the river once more. Then it climbs up to La Rozere and reaches the Lot Valley at Come d'Olt (385m/1271ft), where the church has a strange, spiralling bell tower. After crossing the Lot there are two possibilities for getting to Espalion: follow the valley along a little road or steeper paths. Altitude at arrival: 342m/1129ft, 24 kms/15 miles, 6 hours Day 4: Espalion – Estaing
Altitude at departure: 342m/1129ft
This section is a formality, without any difficulty. Some might care to wander along slowly along the Lot Valley, taking in the region's varied architecture – especially the church at Bessuejouls (335m/1106ft) – whilest others may prefer to get to Estaing more quickly to get to know this beautiful town dominated by its unusual castle.
Altitude at arrival: 320m/1056ft, 12.4 kms/7.75 miles, 3 hours 30 mins Day 5: Estaing – Espeyrac
Altitude at departure: 320m/1056ft
Today the route continues along the Lot Valley before climbing above the Lot gorges to reach the Rouergue plateau. A cross with its little stone pilgrim await us at the entrance to the Golinhac (650m/2145ft), ancient resting place on the St. James Way. Finally we come to Espeyrac via les Albusquies and Campagnac (593m/1957ft).
Altitude at arrival: 369m/1218ft, 23.5 kms/14.7 miles, 6 hours
Day 6: Espeyrac – Conques
Altitude at departure: 369m/1218ft
A short stage, which is all to the good as the arrival at Conques, after walking through fields and woodland, is magical. The medieval quarter is visible only at the last moment to the pilgrim coming from the east; and the town extends away in tiers of pointed roofs overlooked by the three towers of the Basilica Sainte Foy. It is worth devoting as much time as possible to the discovery of this enchanting town.
Altitude at arrival: 280m/924ft, 12.1 kms/7.5 miles, 3 hours 30
Day 7: End of holiday after breakfast.
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