Rob's Camino Guides
Welcome to Rob’s
All-New 2026 Guide
to the Via Podiensis
Includes the Rocamadour and Célé Variants
Walking the Via Podiensis Made Simple!
How This Guide Came to Be
Thirteen years ago, I created a simple spreadsheet to help pilgrims in my Facebook group dedicated to the Via Podiensis.
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The initial document listed all the gîtes, communities, distances, and available services. Its core strength has always been simplicity—a quick, intuitive overview that allows pilgrims to grasp the journey at a single glance.
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Last year, listening closely to the needs and feedback of fellow pilgrims, we made a dramatic leap forward. We completely reimagined our guide—while keeping the simplicity many of you valued—and added maps, elevation profiles, and visual aids to help you walk with confidence.
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This year, we’ve taken things even further!
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Helping you create your own stages.
Instead of fixed daily stages, this guide now uses a new organizing principle: sections, not stages.
Each section represents roughly 2 to 3 days of walking, giving you all the clarity you need to shape your own stages—at your pace, with your needs in mind, not someone else’s idea of what you “should” walk.
A section at a glance
Take our first section as an example.
It begins in Le Puy-en-Velay and runs 43.3 km (27 miles) to Saugues.
​​​​​​​​​​Every section follows this same structure,
giving you an immediate & intuitive overview of everything that matters for planning and walking:
Elevation profiles showing principal places, distances between them, and an at-a-glance difficulty band across the bottom (green = easy, orange = moderate, red = hard)
A map using the same place and distance data, giving you a clear sense of how the Camino moves across the landscape
Info blocks — the heart of each section —
listing all places along the way, their distances, and (in icon format) the full range of available services, including the number of gîtes.
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You’ll instantly see where to pause for a break, restock supplies, access cash, find offices de Tourisme, reach transportation, locate other lodging options, camp, or visit local markets.
Gîte blocks
listing every gîte along the section — including those slightly off the way — organized by location.
Each name is a live link to complete details, with phone numbers (WhatsApp numbers in green),
and clear pricing options: bed only, bed + breakfast, demi-pension (dinner + bed + breakfast), and whether the gîte offers camping space or access to a kitchen.
Navigation Aids
including small detailed maps for town exits to show the way
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Navigation Aids including small detailed maps for town exits to show the way
Whether you're a seasoned pilgrim or planning your first Camino, you can instantly see key information:
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distances between stops,
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available accommodations,
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essential services, and
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critical waypoints
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etc
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all without getting lost in overwhelming details!
It's simple, easy to read and navigate, with live links, and now including WhatsApp numbers in green.
I'm so happy to share this tool that -I know-will make your pilgrimage easier, to plan and to walk.
Enjoy!
What pilgrims say about our guide
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"Your Guide from 2022 was the best of the three guides we used." (Beth M)
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"Rob definitely provides a much-needed and appreciated service." (Matthew H)
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"I love this.; It has been the easiest tool for planning..." (Cindy W)
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"This (guide) is all I need for my walk and weighs nothing in my bag..." (Chris S)
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" I just finished walking with 3 friends we used only your guide the whole way." (Dave L)
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"What an amazing resource this is for planning our journey!" (J Persic
The Key Features in our 2026 guide
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Comprehensive maps -
Clear route markings with variants and points of interest
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Visual elevation profile
​See at a glance how challenging each day will be
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Intuitive icons
​Quick identification of all services from pharmacies to restaurants
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Overview blocks
At-a-glance information about communities, distances, and services
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Detailed gîte information
Complete, up-to-date listings of all accommodations with prices and amenities
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Navigation assistance
​Town exit maps to guide you through potentially confusing sections
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Route variants
​Detailed information on alternatives like the Célé Valley and Rocamadour
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Interactive links
​Simply tap any gîte name (shown in blue) to visit their website instantly
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WhatsApp compatibility
​Green phone numbers indicate WhatsApp availability for international communication
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Portable PDF format
Plan at home on your computer, then take the guide with you on your phone
Our promise to you
​Get ready to embark on a journey like no other!
This guide is packed with 120 pages of visually clear, reliable information, built from over 13 years of experience creating trusted resources for pilgrims.
We promise it will not only guide you but inspire you, deepening your connection with the path and the incredible people you’ll meet along the way.
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As seasoned pilgrims who have walked this route both alone and together, as well as many other Caminos, we’ve poured our hearts into every detail of this guide.
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Our promise is simple: we’re here to help you embrace the true spirit of the Camino—focusing on what truly matters: the unforgettable journey and the life-changing connections you’ll make. We’ve taken care of the logistics so you can dive into the magic, adventure, and camaraderie of the pilgrimage.
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Wishing you a Bon Chemin—let the adventure begin!
Rob and Kate
Planning is half the journey—but language brings it to life.
You’ve got your route, your stages, your guide.
But what about the words you’ll need to book a bed, order a meal, or explain a blister in French?
Our French for the Camino course was made for pilgrims like you—gentle, practical, and focused on the real conversations you'll have along the way.
→ Take a look inside the course : here