GR 65 Way of Saint James of Compostela — Via Gebennensis and Via Podiensis

The GR 65 needs no introduction: it is the Way of St. James, the hiking route par excellence. This Collection offers to cover a large part of it, linking Geneva to Roncevaux, following two historic pilgrimage routes: the Via Gebennensis, which connects Geneva to Le Puy-en-Velay; and then the Via Podiensis, one of the great French Jacobean paths that crosses the Massif Central, the Southwest, and the Basque Country to the Pyrenees.

The first part, the Via Gebennensis, leaves the shores of Lake Geneva to gradually reach the rural landscapes of Haute-Savoie, Bugey, and Velay. After several days of walking through villages, forests, and agricultural plateaus, the path reaches Le Puy-en-Velay, the traditional starting point of the Via Podiensis.

From there, the route crosses some of the most famous landscapes of the Way of St. James: the volcanic plateaus of Velay, the vast expanses of Aubrac, the valleys of the Lot around Conques, then the hills of Quercy and the countryside of Gers. After Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, the path crosses the Pyrenees to reach Roncevaux, the gateway to the Camino in Spain.

This route is generally completed in 4 to 6 weeks, depending on your pace and the number of stages chosen. Along the route, numerous stopover gîtes and pilgrim accommodations allow you to walk from village to village without having to carry too much equipment. Many walkers travel with a pilgrim's passport (credencial), which allows each stage to be stamped and facilitates access to dedicated accommodations.

To fully enjoy this long-distance journey, it is best to travel light. A backpack of about 30 to 40 liters is generally sufficient: walking-appropriate clothing, rain protection, a first-aid kit, a water bottle, and a few personal items. The path is marked and frequented, which makes day-to-day organization easier.

The best time to hike the GR 65 generally extends from April to October, with particularly pleasant conditions in spring and early autumn. Summer remains the busiest season.

Access to the start is simple: Geneva is well connected by train and plane from many European cities. Upon arrival in Roncevaux, several options allow you to access transport: shuttles or taxis to Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port, then a train to Bayonne, or connections to Pamplona on the Spanish side.

¡Buen Camino!