Aire-Sur-Adour to St Jean Pied de Port Walking Holiday

Itinerary
8 days-7 nights-6 days walk

Day 1:

Arrival at Aire-sur-Adour (overnight and dinner)

Day 2:

Aire-sur- Adour - Arzacq, 32 km/20 miles. Altitude at departure: 81m/267ft.

This first section is partly in the Landes but away from the forests and pines and instead making its way over countryside, where maze blazes around spinneys and copses. As we reach the Pyrenees Atlantiques, a sign informs us that there are still 924 kms/577.5 miles to Compostela. Possibility of slightly shortening this day with an alternative path.

Altitude at arrival: 231m/762ft. 32 kms/20 miles. 8 hours.

Day 3:

Arzacq - Maslacq : 30.5 km/19 miles (possibility of shuttle). Altitude at departure: 31m/762ft.

Today we enter Bearn, becoming ever closer to the Pyrenees. Fields and wooded valleys as far as Arthez de Bearn (211m/696ft), perched over the Gave plain. Then it is down to the Gave de Pau before reaching Maslacq.

Altitude at arrival: 78m/257ft. 30.5 kms/19 miles. 8 hours.

Day 4:

Maslacq - Navarrenx, 22 km/13.75 miles. Altitude at departure: 78m/257ft.

Initially we follow the Gave de Pau before going up higher from where there are magnificent views of the Pyrenees. Down to Sauvelade before reaching a high point of 251m/828ft. Then a sharp descent through forest as far as Meritein (148m/488ft) before reaching the almost entirely fortified town of Navarrenx.

Altitude at arrival: 125m/413ft. 22 kms/13.75 miles. 5 hours 45.

Day 5:

Navarrenx - St Palais, 30 km/18.75 miles (possibility of shuttle). Altitude at departure: 125m/413ft.

We remain the the Bearn as far as Gave de Mauleon, before reentering the Basque country. At the Stele de Gibralter, which marks the supposed meeting point of the routes from Le Puy, Tours and Vezeley, we need to go north to get to St Palais. Originally not on the route, from the 13th century St Palais became a popular staging point.

Altitude at arrival: 50m/165ft. 30 kms/18.75 miles. 7 hours.

Day 6:

St Palais-Larceveau, 15 km/9.4 miles. Altitude at departure: 50m/165ft.

We are clearly in the Basque country as we meander over green hills to the charming white village of Ostabat (124m/409ft) before continuing on to Larceveau.

Altitude at arrival: 160m/528ft. 15 kms/9.4 miles. 3 hours 45.

Day 7:

Larceveau - St Jean Pied de Port, 18 km/11.25 miles. Altitude at departure: 160m/528 ft.

This is officially the last entirely French stage of the Via Podiensis. The landscapes are superb and the town of St. Jean-Pied-de-Port is magical. On the way you will pass the old cross of Galzetaburu (262m/865ft).

Altitude at arrival: 180m/594ft. 18 kms/11.25 miles. 5 hours 15.

Day 8:

End of the trip after breakfast.

Walk Overview:
Useful information

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GETTING THERE

Arrival:Aire-sur-Adoure train station.
Departure:bus to Aire - sur - Adour or St Jean Pied de Port train station.

DIFFICULTY

4 to 7 hours walking a day, easy routes with 50 to 150 m of altitude change per day

LUGGAGE

Your luggage is transferred from accommodation to accommodation every day.

ACCOMMODATION

7 nights in hotel 1* & 2*
Half board - double room

NUMBER OF PEOPLE

This tour is available to groups of 2 or more.

WHEN TO GO

There are departures every day between May 1st and October 30th.