The Way of St James by Bike

16 days
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4.8/5 Excellent
62 reviews  
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Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Cycle the full 700km length of the French Way of St James from the Haute Loire to the rugged mountains of the Pyrenees
26%
$4,690
From$3,490
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Overview

Trip type
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Basic - 2 star
Physical level
Extreme
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Highlights

    • Cycling the whole route to St Jean Pied de Port, the cross roads of the "Grand Chemin de Saint Jacques"
    • Spending evenings in symbolic towns such as Saugues, Estaing, Conques, Figeac, Condom and Auvillar
    • Experiencing the culinary delights of the region and the hospitality of your accommodation hosts
    • Viewing the contrasting landscapes and architecture between the regions passed

What's this trip about?

    Cycle the full 700km length of the French Way of St James from the Haute Loire to the rugged mountains of the Pyrenees

Compare to similar trips

Details

Itinerary focusActive and Outdoor Sports
Group sizeIntimate group - 12 max
Age rangeNo age restrictions
Flights and transportN/A
Start CityOperator does not provide
End CityOperator does not provide

Travel Themes

  • Cycling & Biking

Destinations

  • Europe
  • France

Activities

  • Cycling
  • Independent

View Similar Trips

Itinerary

Travel Map

Day 1 Arrive Le Puy-en-Velay

Arrive in Le Puy-en-Velay. Capital of Haute-Loire and located in the southeast of the Massif Central, it's an ancient town surrounded by a volcanic landscape which is dominated by rocky peaks rising from the valley floor. We recommend that you allow at least half a da...

Day 2 Cycle to Saugues via Monts du Deves (46km/29mi)

Starting from the cathedral, the route ascends quickly to leave the town of Le Puy. It goes through the Monts du Velay, where green lentils are grown, and enters the volcanic range of Devès before going down into the Haut-Allier gorges, a natural frontier before the V...

Day 3 Cycle across the Margeride plateau to Aumont-Aubrac (44km/27.5mi)

Saugues is a small town famous for its English Tower and its Mushroom Fair. Starting there, the route continues into the Margeride plateau, then winds through the Truyère high valley before reaching Aumont-Aubrac. Amongst the most interesting sights are St Roch Chapel...

Day 4 Challenging cycle via Nasbinals to Estaing (78km/49mi)

From Aumont-Aubrac located in "Terre de Peyre" (meaning land of stones), the route goes through pine groves before reaching the Aubrac plateau, covered with pastures as far as the eye can see. While approaching St Chély d’Aubrac you will reach the "Boraldes" (name of ...

Day 5 Cycle to Conques (36km/22.5mi)

This stage takes place in very hilly Aveyron. However, if you decide to cross the Lot gorges through Entraygues-sur-Truyère and Vieillevie, the difficulty will be ascending the Dourdou valley up to Conques. In this village filled with sloping roofed houses, you will a...

Day 6 Continue cycle to Figeac (43km/27mi)

On the Lot river, flat-bottomed boats called “gabares” used to transport charcoal to Bordeaux. The river is the connecting thread of this stage, leading you up to Livinhac-le-Haut. You will then leave it behind to reach the pretty town of Figeac, by the Célé river. Th...

Day 7 Cycle to the Lot River valley at St Cirq Lapopie / Bouzies (54km/34mi)

The route winds along the Célé Valley past several Quercy-like villages: Espagnac and its lovely 13th century church, Saint Sulpice and its troglodyte houses, Marcilhac and the ruins of its Benedictine abbey church, then Sauliac and Cabrerets. In Conduché, you will fi...

Day 8 Through medieval towns to Cahors (35km/22mi)

An easier day of cycling today. The approach to Cahors and its famous bridge “Pont Valentré” is via the limestone plateaus and the Lot valley. En route you will come across “cazelles” (dry-stone walls huts), crosses, as well as locks still in use for sailing. Since Ce...

Day 9 Cycle to Lauzerte (40km/25mi)

The route continues to Labastide-Marnhac and Chateau de Bonnac. Typically, the houses here are built on a hill. The last part of the day crosses the “Quercy Blanc” (White Quercy, in reference to the white calcareous rocks located in the ground) up to Lauzerte. The tow...

Day 10 Cycle to Auvillar with its interesting medieval circular market (47km/29mi)

The day begins with a great descent to Moissac, a former major stage of The Way of St James, before continuing into the Lomagne or "hunchback Gascogne", an area of natural beauty. Straddling the Tarn et Garonne and the Gers, this former dependency of the duchy of Gasc...

Day 11 Continue to the Armagnac town of Condom (60km/37.5mi)

Along this stage, you will leave the département of “Tarn et Garonne" and enter the “Gers” départment. The route is lined with quaint villages: Flamarens, Miradoux, Lectoure, Marsolan, and La Romieu. Leaving La Romieu, the expansive views of the open countryside of th...

Day 12 Cycle via the Roman town of Eauze to Aire sur l'Adour (80km/50mi)

The cycle route this morning takes you to Montréal-du-Gers, one of the most ancient walled towns of Gascogne (1289). On the way, we recommend a little detour through Larresingle, another of the 'Most Beautiful Villages in France". Continue to Eauze, the capital of the...

Day 13 Continue cycle past small churches and a pilgrims hospital to Maslacq (67km/42mi)

This hilly stage first leads to Arzacq-Arraziguet. En route, you will discover the church of Miramont-Sensacq as well as Pimbo, one of the most ancient walled towns in the Landes area. Further on, you enter the Béarn area and its many highlights including the village ...

Day 14 Cycle to St Palais via Navarrenx (48km/30mi)

Today you will transition between the Béarn area and the Basque country, in the very heart of the Pyrenean foothills. After the ancient fortified village of Navarrenx, you will cross the Gave d’Oloron. Along the way discover the Montgaston and Joantho castles before r...

Day 15 Final leg of cycle to St Jean Pied de Port (34km/21.3mi)

The last spins of the wheel before the Spanish border! You will ride through Ostabat, a former important connecting point for pilgrims still housing remnants of great hospitals and ancient buildings. Not long after, the pretty pilgrimage town of St Jean Pied de Port i...

Day 16 Trip concludes

Trip concludes after breakfast.

meals : B

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Dates & Availability

Price From $3,490
Price per day$218
Last Updated: 4/24/2024
Start Date
Finish Date
Base Price
Availability
29 Apr 2024
14 May 2024
$3,490
30 Apr 2024
15 May 2024
$3,490
01 May 2024
16 May 2024
$3,490
02 May 2024
17 May 2024
$3,490
03 May 2024
18 May 2024
$3,490
04 May 2024
19 May 2024
$3,490
05 May 2024
20 May 2024
$3,490
06 May 2024
21 May 2024
$3,490
07 May 2024
22 May 2024
$3,490
08 May 2024
23 May 2024
$3,490

Check Current Availability, prices, specials with UTracks.

The total tour cost includes the tour price (regular or promotional) and the compulsory local payment. The promotional price is subject to change. Check directly with the operator for the latest price offer. The tour operator requires you to pay only the tour price to purchase your travel. The compulsory local payment will be paid when you join the trip. All prices are based on double, twin or triple share occupancy. Solo passengers will be accommodated in a double, twin or triple room according to availability with a passenger(s) of the same gender. Single supplement only needs to be paid if the passenger does not want to share and requests their own room. Discounts can only be applied at the time of booking and cannot be added at a later date, regardless of any changes made to the original booking.

Prices may vary due to local taxes and trip seasonality. Click "Request Info" to inquire directly with the tour operator for the final trip price.

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Nov 2023

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Do not use this company.

A really difficult company to communicate with, slow to respond and not able to accept accountability for poor service. Used Tee Travel in Spain which was even worse...

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Jen

Oct 2023

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Truly awful company

Worst trip I have ever been on, and the worst company I have ever had the misfortune to deal with. The ‘moderate to challenging’ hiking holiday, was in no way even m...

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Andrew

Apr 2020

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UNBELIEVABLE!

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UTracks

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UTracks emerged as the active European holiday specialist in 2007. Since then, we’ve scoured. Europe’s most remarkable landscapes and cultural hotspots to feature a carefully crafted collection of affordable active holidays throughout the continent.

UTracks is all about exploring the untrodden paths with flexibility at excellent value. It’s all about U + the best tracks and trails of Europe. We are specialists in walking and cycling tours with itineraries that feature the best of each region.

Our program includes an amazing selection of small group guided holidays and self-guided trips that offer flexibility to travel at your own pace and on the departure, date chosen. Whether it is cycling or walking, small groups or self-guided, land or waterways, on a barge or sail boat – UTracks helps you to explore Europe exactly the way you want.

E-bikes are also available on many of our cycling tours.

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Logistics

Requirements
Closely following the GR65 (although only up to 20% is actually on the walking route) the cycle route covers daily distance of between 35 and 80km / 21.5 and 50mi over initially mountainous terrain with ascents of between 145 and 1150m / 475 and 3773ft each day. The grading is challenging (grade 5) to reflect the terrain and the distances covered on the more challenging days. Much of the route is on small country roads with some sections (around 0-30%) on dirt and gravel roads. Entering and leaving towns will require additional care due to traffic on the road. Unlike the walking route, the cycle route is not signposted and waymarked. Therefore following the route notes and maps is essential. You can also download GPS routes on your smartphone. We recommend that you prepare well for this trip to ensure you have time and energy to discover the towns and sights in the afternoon and en route. An option to rent an e-bike is available if you are not sure of your fitness. You should have good cycling experience. Preparation should begin at least 3 months before departure, with regular riding on roads over undulating terrain essential. Please speak to your UTracks consultant or travel agent for further advice on fitness preparation. Bike helmet* (included), mobile phone holder, wet weather gear, daypack, water bottle and sun protection. A comprehensive gear list is included in the pre-departure information provided on booking. *For safety reasons, we insist that cycle helmets are worn whilst cycling.,
Travel Insurance
We strongly recommend purchasing travel insurance alongside your travel package to safeguard against unforeseen circumstances such as medical expenses, trip cancellations, and other contingencies. It offers you peace of mind and ensures you are prepared for unexpected events that may occur before or during your journey
Visa requirements
Visa requirements vary depending on your country of origin and your country of destination. It is your responsibility to familiarize yourself with the relevant requirements. For a handy tool that can help you quickly find the requirements, please visit this link .
Age Requirements
No age restrictions
Additional Information
HOTELS / B&Bs
Trip ID
utracks-WSJ

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