Dave Whitson is a high school History teacher in Portland, Oregon and a graduate of the University of Washington. He made his first pilgrimage in 2002 on the Camino Francés and was inspired to return with a group of his high school students, which he did in 2004. He has led a total of seven student pilgrimage trips, including five on the Camino de Santiago (four on the Francés and one on the Norte) and two on the Via Francigena. In addition, he has made long distance treks in Norway on the Pilgrim Road to Nidaros, in England on the North Downs Way to Canterbury, and in Turkey on the Lycian Way. All told, he has walked roughly 10,000 kilometers on pilgrim roads in Europe.
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Camino de Santiago - Via Podiensis
Le Puy to the Pyrenees on the GR65
Guidebook to the Via Podiensis (Chemin du Puy) pilgrim route along the GR65 through southern France to the Pyrenees. The 735km route links Le Puy-en-Velay with Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port and the start of the Camino Francés to Santiago. Includes Célé Valley and Rocamadour variants.
Available in Cicerone Outdoor Adventures app
Quick facts
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Location: Southern France, from Le Puy-en-Velay to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
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Number of stages: 28 stages (with two major variants: Célé Valley and Rocamadour)
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Distance: 735km (457 miles)
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Duration: 4–6 weeks; 28 daily stages 16–35km (10–22 miles)
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Areas covered: Le Puy-en-Velay, Conques, Estaing, Figeac, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Cahors, Lauzerte, Moissac, Condom, Rocamadour (variant), Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
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Route type: Pilgrimage path (GR65), river valleys, limestone plateaux, rolling farmland, historic towns and villages
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Difficulty: Moderate long-distance trek, suitable for any reasonably fit walker
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Terrain: Varied countryside, river gorges, high plateaux (Aubrac), agricultural fields, forested hills, and picturesque French villages
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Navigation: 1:100,000 mapping, larger-scale urban maps, detailed route descriptions, free downloadable GPX tracks
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Best season: Spring to autumn (April–October; best weather and full service availability)
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Highlights: Medieval villages, UNESCO World Heritage sites, pilgrimage shrines (Conques, Rocamadour), scenic valleys (Lot, Célé), French gastronomy, welcoming gîtes and auberges
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Equipment: Comfortable walking shoes/boots, rain gear, layered clothing, daypack, basic pilgrimage gear
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Accommodation: Gîtes d’étape, small hotels, guesthouses, and pilgrim lodgings throughout the route
Detailed overview
Where and when to go
Table of contents
Which format is best for me?
Printed book
A guidebook with detailed route descriptions, stage breakdowns, accommodation listings, profiles and maps — everything you need on the trail.
| ISBN | 9781786311023 |
|---|---|
| Availability | Published |
| Published | 6 February 2024 |
| Reprinted | 15 July 2026 |
| Weight | 340g |
eBook
The complete digital edition of the guidebook, with full route descriptions, accommodation listings, profiles and maps, ready to use on any device.
What is the Cicerone app?
The Cicerone App is your on-trail companion: GPS-enabled maps, route information and planning tools from our guidebooks, built for use on the move. Browse and buy guides directly in the app, then follow expert-curated routes, explore local landmarks and points of interest, and check facilities information as you go.
Find out more about the Cicerone App FAQs here, for further details.
Key features:
- Expert-curated routes – Follow routes crafted by expert authors who know each area inside out.
- Plan with confidence – Find detailed facilities information and discover local landmarks along the way.
- Your adventure library, always with you – Access your purchased guides anytime and discover new adventures in our expanding digital collection, from local day walks to epic treks.
Get the app on the App Store or Google Play.
Please note: GPX files are downloaded separately and are designed for use in other mapping apps or GPS devices. They cannot be viewed within the Cicerone app.
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