FRANCE

Towards Compostela – How far should I travel?

PATHS 06 – TOWARDS COMPOSTELLE … WHAT DISTANCE TO COVER?

The choice of distance to walk will be dictated by the number of days available on site, your daily walking distance limit and the type of terrain.

WHAT IS MY DAILY WALKING LIMIT?

For example, if you are used to walking and your limit is about 25 km / day – that is to say about 6 to 7 hours of regular walking at 4 km / hour on a moderately uneven terrain – you can theoretically claim to be able to cover a total distance of 250 km if you have 10 days or 350 km (14 days).

But this calculation – very theoretical – is not at all realistic since you will also have to take into account a few days of adaptation to get your body used to a new regular and sustained effort, a few breaks while walking to recover, a full day of rest from time to time, a little flexibility in the program, the vagaries of the weather and possibly an injury – even a slight one – that could slow you down.

All the more so if it is a first experience for a beginner hiker and without any real knowledge of his or her walking abilities over several days in a row. In short, prudence and moderation should be the main guidelines when choosing the total distance to be covered, even if it means changing the route later.

WHAT IS THE AVERAGE LENGTH OF THE STAGES TO COMPOSTELA?

On a route, the average length of the day-stops is not really significant but rather their number and their respective distances. As an example, and as noted in a specialized and renowned guidebook about two of the most famous routes to Compostela:

Voie du Puy (France)

Approximately 750 km – Average / stage : 23 km – 32 stages including 7 over 30 km – 6 between 30 and 25 km – 10 between 25 and 20 km and 9 stages under 20 km

Camino Francès (Spain)

Approximately 800 km – Average / stage: 29 km – 31 stages of which 10 exceed 30 km – 8 between 30 and 25 km – 9 between 25 and 20 km and 4 stages under 20.

Considering these figures and the daily details, it is clear that choosing the distance to be covered and thus determining the itinerary and its duration, is also determining what is acceptable or not for oneself in terms of daily and realistic walking distance.

 

Euro-Rando - Voyage et Escapade en Europe du Canada - Region et Grandes Villes

 

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Le Chemins Compostelle de Conques

Towards Compostela … 200 km and options for the route to follow!

PATHS – 07 : TOWARDS COMPOSTELA … 200 KM AND 3 OPTIONS !

From Canada, to complete the Camino du Puy (France – 750 km) or the Camino Francès (Spain – 800 km), you need to plan for at least 6 weeks of availability, or 42 days, including 32 days of walking.

The difference, 10 days, covers the plane-train-bus transfers to reach the beginning of the route (2 days), to return (2 days) and 1 day of rest per week (6 days).

In both cases, we are talking about an average of 25 km per day of walking, often with longer stages, 6 days out of 7 and no real flexibility except at the expense of rest days to compensate for unforeseen circumstance! It is an option, but one that requires time and a certain habit of hiking, which is not for everyone.

 

Le Chemins Compostelle de ConquesLESS TIME FOR TRAVEL? WHY NOT ONE OF THESE OPTIONS?

  • On the Way of Le Puy (France), between Le Puy-en-Velay and Conques-en-Rouergue
  • 2 major sanctuaries : from the Cathedral of Le Puy to the Basilica of Conques
  • A superb itinerary with a rich medieval heritage, through the Devès mountains, the Aubrac plateau and the Lot valley, a hilly route, of moderate level, with however some short but strong differences in altitude.
  • DISTANCE : 200 KM

 

OPTION 1 : I have a total of 14 days (including 10 days on site):

This route is achievable in 10 days of walking of which 2 exceed 25 km / day and 4 between 20 and 25 km. It is the fast option, of sustained level, without rest day, with quick visits of the sanctuaries of Le Puy, Conques and an overview of the local history along the way.

Le Chemins Compostelle de Conques

OPTION 2 : I have a total of 18 days (including 14 days on site):

Same route but completed in 14 days of walking with stages of less than 20 km per day. Easy to moderate level. Short stages, leaving time for oneself and to appreciate the local history. This is a good option for a first experience towards Compostela but without the discovery stays in Le Puy and Conques.

OPTION 3 : I have a total of 21 days (17 days on site):

This is option 2 but adding time for the sanctuaries: a day and a half visit to Le Puy-en-Velay and its cathedral as well as to the superb medieval village of Conques and its 11th century basilica.

 

Euro-Rando - Voyage et Escapade en Europe du Canada - Region et Grandes Villes

 

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

    www.nicolevoyage.com      450-455-0991  Toll Free: 1-877-455-0991

     www.euro-rando.com         514-386-1704


Getting to Europe (and Back)

ASSISTANCE – 03: GETTING TO EUROPE (AND BACK)

From Canada, it is a night flight that will take you to Europe with an arrival the next day in the morning.

HOW DO I GET TO THE START OF MY HIKE IN THE REGION?

From your arrival airport, reaching the start of your tour in the region will certainly be done by train and/or bus depending on your final destination.

Europe has an extensive rail network with many departures on major routes, usually well connected to bus stations and scheduled coaches to complete the trip.

However, you should know that the time allowed for a connection between two trains and/or coaches is generally quite short, possibly very short, which often surprises a traveller not used to travelling in Europe.

In this sense, it is advisable to have exchangeable tickets for some flexibility in schedules and a plan B to ensure that you reach your final destination the same day.

You will therefore have taken the precaution of booking your tickets before your departure.

If you are not comfortable with the transfer times between airports and train stations, the choice of routes, schedules and connections en route, it will probably be very useful for you to use the services of a travel agency that will be able to give you the best advice.

HOW DO I GET TO MY DEPARTURE AIRPORT AT THE END OF THE TRIP?

At the end of the hike, you will have to go back to an airport and the same remarks and recommendations apply as mentioned above.

ATTENTION: The return flights generally leave Europe in the middle of the day for an arrival in Canada the same day, so you will need to find accommodation near this airport the day before departure in order not to miss your flight the next day.

Euro-Rando - Voyage et Escapade en Europe du Canada - Region et Grandes Villes

 

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FOR MORE INFORMATION:

    www.nicolevoyage.com      450-455-0991  Toll Free: 1-877-455-0991

     www.euro-rando.com         514-386-1704

Towards Compostela in Spain

THE PATHS – 04 : TOWARDS COMPOSTELA IN SPAIN

WHAT ARE THE MAJOR ROUTES TO SANTIAGO DE COMPOSTELA IN SPAIN?

In SPAIN, three main roads converge towards Santiago: the CAMINO FRANCÈS, the CAMINO DEL NORTE and the VIA DE LA PLATA.

WHAT IS THE CAMINO FRANCÈS?

Distance: about 800 km. In the past, most of the pilgrims from France took this route, hence its name “The French Way”. It begins in St. Jean Pied de Port, crossing the Pyrenees, and goes inland through the regions of Navarra, Castilla y León and Galicia. It is the best known route and therefore the most frequented, especially in season.

WHAT IS THE CAMINO DEL NORTE?

Distance: about 850 km. It officially starts in IRUN and at the border, but many walkers start this route in Bayonne and in France. To the north of the Camino Frances, from where it takes its name, it follows for the most part the Atlantic coast before joining the Camino Primitivo in LUGO which leads to Santiago. It is a route between the sea and the mountains with very beautiful panoramas on the Atlantic but also with strong unevenness which makes it a less frequented way than the Camino Frances.

WHAT IS VIA DE LA PLATA?

Distance: about 1000 km. It starts in SEVILLE in the south of Spain. It joins the Camino Frances in ASTORGA but there is also, a little before this city, a fork towards the West and OURENSE by the Camino Sanabrès. An ancient Roman road, it is a superb historical route, also marked by solitude in certain sectors, still very little frequented but in the making. If you like less crowds and are ready to complete some long stages, it might be for you. Warning: it is not really recommended from mid-May to mid-September because of the excessive heat.

As in France, there are many other paths that join these great itineraries.

Euro-Rando - Voyage et Escapade en Europe du Canada - Region et Grandes Villes

 

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

    www.nicolevoyage.com      450-455-0991  Toll Free: 1-877-455-0991

     www.euro-rando.com         514-386-1704


Visitez Figeac, Occitanie, France

The First Step!

ASSISTANCE – 01: THE FIRST STEP!

WHERE TO GO, WHEN, HOW and IN WHAT CONDITIONS?

Visitez Figeac, Occitanie, FranceAnswering these questions is not always easy, especially if you want to leave Canada for a trek of several days, weeks or even more and for the first time in a foreign country, therefore most often in unknown territory!

Reading … Internet research … Comments and opinions on social networks … Specialized guides and information of all kinds … This is usually the long way that those who wish to try the experience choose … with as many suggestions as there are walkers! We know that this exercise is a logical approach. But one question leads to another, this approach also requires time, a minimum of geographical knowledge to avoid getting lost and can quickly become more complex than expected!

WOULD YOU LIKE TO SIMPLIFY YOUR SEARCH?

EURO-RANDO and NICOLE & CIE VOYAGE agency located in Vaudreuil-Dorion in the suburbs of Montreal / Quebec propose you to consult various articles aiming at simplifying your approach.

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF OUR EXPERIENCE!

We have been hiking for several years, we know well EUROPE in general and FRANCE and SPAIN in particular, two destinations appreciated by Canadian hikers for pilgrimage to Compostela or simply tourism.

 

Euro-Rando - Voyage et Escapade en Europe du Canada - Region et Grandes Villes

 

 

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

    www.nicolevoyage.com      450-455-0991  Toll Free: 1-877-455-0991

     www.euro-rando.com         514-386-1704

Hiking in Europe

THE PATHS – 01: HIKING IN EUROPE

WHY A HIKING TRIP IN EUROPE?

Les Pyrénées, incontournables pour la randonnée

Although Canada offers a vast network of trails of great interest to hikers, hiking in its various regions for several days or longer on a linear route of good distance is quickly akin to an expedition because the transport of a minimum of equipment and food becomes essential, as well as a good mastery of orientation and a taste for camping. This is not for everyone!

If EURO-RANDO has turned to Europe to share its passion for hiking, it is also because the vast majority of European countries also have a vast network of trails, but with one fundamental difference: the presence of well-established reception structures, a wide choice of accommodation and refreshment points that are never far from each other, and an omnipresent historical and cultural heritage, all of which are within reasonable walking distance and generally on well-marked paths.

ARE YOU READY FOR AN ADVENTURE?

En petit groupe accompagné, en rando liberté avec topo-guide ou en famille, vous découvrirez un large choix de circuits pour tous les niveaux et toutes les envies.

Thanks to a long tradition of walking in Europe, a multitude of trails, paths and discovery routes have been and continue to be revived, forming a veritable spider’s web linking the main routes of the ancient pilgrimage routes of the Middle Ages. In short, a real paradise for linear hiking, whether it is for a few days in the region or several weeks from one country to another.

From Canada, EURO-RANDO has chosen to offer hiking tours in FRANCE and SPAIN.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO TRY A WALKING TRIP?

Nos itinéraires et nos services s’adressent aux marcheurs en général, qu’ils soient débutants ou non, en route dans un but religieux et de pèlerinage ou avec un objectif plus profane, celui de la découverte touristique, historique et culturelle en voyageant à pied.  À chacun son chemin !

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

    www.nicolevoyage.com      450-455-0991  Toll Free : 1-877-455-0991

     www.euro-rando.com         514-386-1704