Le Puy Camino: Le Puy En Velay to Aumont-aubrac
About this trip.
Comparing firms? Every Camino holiday on Mooch, route by route.
Before you book: Walking holidays vs cycling holidays — when each one is the right answer · Which Camino route is right for you — an honest opinion on each of the seven
Through the Velay and the Gévaudan
The Le Puy Camino begins among the green, dormant volcanoes of the Auvergne, and this first section runs through rolling countryside. The route crosses the Velay massif and the Gévaudan plateau, stops in regional towns such as Sauges, then passes through light woodland and hillside scrub. It ends at Aumont-Aubrac, the gateway to the Aubrac high plateau.
Starting out in Le Puy
Le Puy is the starting point of the Le Puy Camino. Its cathedral and the Hermitage Saint-Jean-du-Puy both stand on top of ancient volcanoes, and you can only reach them by climbing a long flight of steps. The Cathedral of Notre Dame dates from the 12th century and is widely regarded as one of the most distinctive Romanesque cathedrals in France. Keep some energy back for the old city, where narrow streets lined with tall pastel buildings hold plenty of shops and cafés, as well as Le Puy's well-known lace makers.
Sauges and Aumont-Aubrac
Sauges has been a popular stop on the route for centuries. It lies between the Margeride mountains and the Allier Valley. The Fantastic Museum of the Beast of Gévaudan, the Romanesque Church of St Ménard and the medieval Tower of the English are all a short walk from each other. While you're there, try the traditional dish of aligot, made with mashed potato and the local Tomme cheese.
Aumont-Aubrac grew up at a crossroads of the old routes between Lyon, Toulouse and the Auvergne. You can wander its old streets or call in at the Tourist Information Centre. It's in the House of the Priory, which was restored in the 1990s and has a vaulted cellar in the basement. Many pilgrims also visit the Church of Saint-Etienne, built on the site of a priory from 106 AD. It has been restored many times over the centuries and shows clear Romanesque and Baroque influences. Its unusual belfry was rebuilt in 1839 using stones from the cemetery.
What the package includes
The trip includes bed and breakfast in hand-picked accommodation and a holiday or pilgrim pack. You also get 24/7 on-call support and a virtual face-to-face briefing before you leave. Luggage transfers between hotels are an optional extra and aren't included in the starting price.
The shape of the trip.
Everything you might be wondering.
Q1How hard is it really?
The grading is set by the operator and usually reflects daily distance and total ascent. As a rule of thumb: if you can comfortably manage a 5-6 hour hillwalk at home on a weekend, a moderate-graded route will be fine. Read the day-by-day notes carefully, and train with a loaded pack in the months before.
Q2Can I do this solo?
Yes — self-guided walking holidays are well suited to solo travellers, and some operators waive the single-room supplement on certain departures. The route notes are written for confident independent walkers, and most operators run a 24/7 support line.
Q3Do I need to speak the language?
No. Hotels and restaurants on the route are used to English-speaking walkers. A phrasebook for menus and a few polite basics (hello, thank you, please) is all you really need. The operator's support line speaks English.
Q4Can I bring my dog?
Some routes are dog-friendly, others aren't — it depends on whether all the accommodation on the itinerary accepts dogs. Check with the operator before booking. If you do bring a dog, you'll need a pet passport, up-to-date rabies vaccination, and a lead for villages.
Q5What if it rains?
The route is walkable in rain — your luggage travels ahead regardless, so you'll always arrive somewhere dry. Some trails get slippery in wet weather and the operator's support line can arrange a taxi for any stage if conditions are properly bad.
Q6How do I get there from the UK?
Most routes are reachable by a short flight to a nearby airport, followed by train or transfer. The operator will usually point you at the nearest airport and can advise on rail connections. Some will book train tickets on your behalf for a small fee.
Q7Can I shorten or extend it?
Usually yes. Many operators offer shorter versions of a route as a standalone, and most will add extra nights at the start or end at their own rates. Ask when you enquire — they'll tailor it before booking.
Q8What about cancellation?
Typically a deposit (usually 20-25%) is taken at booking, with the balance due 8-10 weeks before departure. The operator's own terms apply — Mooch doesn't handle the booking or refunds. Travel insurance is strongly recommended.
Three walking holidays, side-by-side.
The two closest walking holidays on Mooch, both on the Camino. Prices are the operators' own, per person.
