Hiking on the Ways of Saint James – The Roads to Compostela Hiking on the Ways of Saint James

Pilgrim ways

The Middle Ages were the heyday of pilgrimage in Europe. The main destination, along with Rome, Jerusalem and Rocamadour in the Dordogne Valley, was the tomb of the apostle Saint James in Compostela, northern Spain.

These routes are known as the Ways of Saint James in English, Caminos de Santiago in Spanish, and Les Chemins de Saint Jacques in French.

In France, four main routes lead pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela, though numerous variants exist. Beyond the Pyrenees, these paths merged into one, the Camino Frances, which spans across northern Spain.

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Journey to Compostela

Several of these pilgrimage routes wind through the Dordogne Valley, offering multi-day hikes that serve as perfect opportunities to reconnect with what’s fundamental in life.

One such path, the Vézelay Way, stretches from Périgueux to Bergerac. Additional routes traverse the UNESCO World Heritage site of Rocamadour, including La Via Arverna, La Voie de Rocamadour, and a variant of La Voie du Puy en Velay, all converging in this historic city.

The journeys, ranging from 2 to 12 days, vary in difficulty and immerse hikers in breathtaking natural scenery—deep gorges, rolling hills, and historic medieval towns like Collonges-la-Rouge.

Each step along these routes offers a glimpse into a rich historical tapestry and a chance to walk a path shared by many throughout the ages.

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Four variants of the Way of Saint James

For hikers, four distinct variants of the Way of St. James offer unique journeys through the Dordogne Valley:

The Via Arverna begins in Clermont-Ferrand, winding through numerous “Most Beautiful Villages in France“; La Voie de Rocamadour which traverses the Limousin and Haut-Quercy regions; La Voie du Puy en Velay, which starts in Figeac, includes a variant through Rocamadour en route to Cahors; and the Way of Vézelay through Périgueux and Bergerac.

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A prime destination for walkers

Opting for any one of these trails and you’ll be treated to stunning panoramas and a beautifully preserved heritage.

Your chosen path will lead you to discover landmarks such as the Castelnau-Bretenoux castle or the cathedral Saint-Front in Périgueux, explore some of France’s most picturesque villages including Carennac and Collonges-la-Rouge, while enjoying the limestone landscapes of the causse as well as the verdant plains along the River Dordogne.

Whether you’re trekking for leisure or embarking on a pilgrimage to Rocamadour, these routes provide a rich, immersive experience. Along the way you will find numerous gîtes for comfortable stopovers on the GR paths throughout the Dordogne Valley.

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La Via Arverna

The Via Arverna represents a less trodden but enchanting route of the celebrated Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela.

Stretching approximately 500 kilometers, this hiking trail features around twenty stages through the Auvergne and Quercy regions, leading from Clermont-Ferrand to Cahors and passing through the mystical city of Rocamadour.

Distinguished by its emblematic signage—a yellow sportelle on a blue background—the trail meanders through the valleys of the Cère and Dordogne rivers, navigating between plateaus and cliffs, riverbanks, and some of the Most Beautiful Villages in France.

Along the way, hikers can explore the Cluniac site of Carennac, traverse the limestone plateaus of Martel, and marvel at the canyons of the Ouysse and Alzou near Rocamadour.

Find out more: https://via-arverna.org/

La Voie de Rocamadour

The Rocamadour Way guides pilgrims and hikers along the historic Compostela route through 23 stages, weaving through the regions of Creuse, Haute-Vienne, Corrèze, and Lot in the Dordogne Valley.

The journey begins in Bénévent L’Abbaye and stretches for 260 kilometers, concluding in the city of Rocamadour.

Travelers on this path will visit a host of iconic sites including Aubazine, a village renowned for its Cistercian heritage; Collonges-la-Rouge and Martel, both celebrated as some of the Most Beautiful Villages in France; and ultimately, the sacred city of Rocamadour itself.

The Dordogne Valley Stretch: from Collonges-la-Rouge to Rocamadour

This particular 40 km section, which takes between 2 to 4 days depending on your walking pace, meanders through limestone plateaus, walnut groves, rivers, and medieval villages. It’s a leisurely hike designed to reconnect you with the essentials in life.

Highlights include a gourmet stop-over in Martel, the lovely village of Montvalent and a whole bunch of breathtaking panoramas. This segment of the journey is a genuine delight for those seeking a deeper connection with nature aa well as an interest in cultural heritage.

www.voie-rocamadour-limousin-haut-quercy.fr

La Voie du Puy-en-Velay

The Voie du Puy-en-Velay – GR 65 or Via Podiensis – is among the most frequented routes of the Pilgrim’s Way to Santiago de Compostela in France.

Originating in the picturesque town of Le Puy-en-Velay in Haute-Loire, this route is a common starting point for the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.

Spanning 750 kilometers, the route includes 32 stages and leads hikers all the way to the Basque village of Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, where it connects with the Camino Francés in Spain.

In Figeac, pilgrims have the option to take a detour that passes through the sacred town of Rocamadour, adding a spiritual visit before descending towards Cahors to rejoin the main trail, the GR 65.

For more information: https://www.chemins-compostelle.com/itineraires/10/faq

La Voie de Vézelay - Via Lemovicensis

The Vézelay route, also known as the Via Lemovicensis, stretches approximately 1,100 kilometers from Vézelay in Burgundy to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port.

It takes its name from the city of Limoges, a significant pilgrimage site on the way. This historic path traverses the picturesque Dordogne Valley, arriving in Périgueux where hikers can admire the famous Saint-Front Cathedral.

The route then continues through beautiful pastoral landscapes to Bergerac, where it splits into two directions.

From Bergerac, travellers can choose to follow the GR 654 West towards Sainte-Foy-la-Grande all the way to the Pyrenees. Alternatively, the GR 654 East heads towards Montréal du Gers and eventually joins the GR 65 (Voie du Puy-en-Velay).

Both options immerse walkers in the serene, rural charm of the region, offering a peaceful continuation of their pilgrimage.

For more information: https://www.chemins-compostelle.com/itineraires/9/la-voie-de-va-zelay

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