The second stage of the Way of St. James.
This six-night tour is the second stage of the Pilgrim Route of St. James walking route – one of the most famous pilgrimages in all of Christianity.
Price:
£775 per person sharing
Single room supplement – £140
Supplement for solo walker – additional £25
Difficulty:
4 to 5 hours walking a day.
Easy route with 150 to 450 m of altitude change per day.
Luggage:
Your luggage is transferred from accommodation to accommodation every day.
Day 1: Arrival at Nasbinals (overnight and dinner).
Day 2: Nasbinals – St Chely d’Aubrac 17 km/10.65 miles.
Altitude at departure: 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 to leave the Lozere department and enter the Aveyron.
Altitude at arrival: 808m/2666ft. 6 hours.
Day 3: St Chely – Espalion, 22 km/13.75 miles OR St Chely to St Come 16 km/10 miles
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. 6 hours.
Day 4: Espalion – Estaing, 11 km/7 miles OR St Come to Estaing 17 km/10.6 miles
Altitude at departure: 342m/1129ft.
This section is a formality, without any difficulty. Some might care to wander slowly along the Lot Valley, taking in the region’s varied architecture – especially the church at Bessuejouls (335m/1106ft) – whilst 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. 3 hours 30.
Day 5: Estaing – Espeyrac, 25 km/15.6 miles.
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 awaits us at the entrance to the Golinhac (650m/2145ft), ancient resting place on theSt. James Way. Finally we come to Espeyrac via Les Albusquies and Campagnac (593m/1957ft).
Altitude at arrival: 369m/1218ft. 6 hours.
Day 6: Espeyrac – Conques, 13 km/8.1 miles.
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 awayin tiers of pointed roofs overlooked by the three towers of Basilica Sainte Foy. It is worth devoting as much time as possible to the discovery of this enchanting town.
Altitude at arrival: 280m/924ft. 3 hours 30.
Day 7: End of the trip after breakfast
ACCOMMODATION LIST
NASBINALS: Hôtel de la Route d’Argent**
ST CHELY D AUBRAC: Hôtel Restaurant Les Coudercous
ESPALION : Hotel Restaurant Moderne**
ESTAING: Auberge St Fleuret
ESPEYRAC : Hôtel – Restaurant de la Vallée
Conques: Auberge St Jacques
