Pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela

[Bridget and Peter]

I've noticed that very many pilgrims turn south from the Vezelay route at some point between Vezelay and Limoges and make their way to join the Le Puy route.
Can anyone tell me what the advantages are of doing that? If we did that what route could we take?
We will be on bikes - does the scenery make up for the hills?!!

many thanks
Bridget

[KiwiNomad06]

I met a Dutch woman who had walked from home who did exactly that, and she did it for reasons of scenery: I know the scenery between Le Puy and Conques is especially beautiful. She walked cross-country though, up and down some very steep hills/mountains between Vezelay and Le Puy, so I am not sure how you would bike that way...
Margaret

[Paulus]

Bridget,

Directly after leaving Vezelay you do not follow the Gr654 direction Nevers (south-west) but you follow the GR13 who is heading south through the beautiful Morvan-region to Le Puy. I remember that you have to follow the Gr3 after Bourbon-Lancy.
Beautiful landscape, hilly and long stretches without shops,bars etc. But far more nice than the Nevers/limoges-route.(IMHO)

Paul

[Bridget and Peter]

She walked cross-country though, up and down some very steep hills/mountains between Vezelay and Le Puy, so I am not sure how you would bike that way...

Paulus - our bikes (and ourselves) are not really up to tracks up and down steep hills -do you think we would be able to find minor roads to follow reasonably close to the GR13 (without the distance adding bends which GR routes tend to have)?

[Paulus]

Paulus - our bikes (and ourselves) are not really up to tracks up and down steep hills -do you think we would be able to find minor roads to follow reasonably close to the GR13 (without the distance adding bends which GR routes tend to have)?

Yes, that is really possible: you can stay close to the Gr13 with your bike and some stretches follow the Gr13! but........... is still hard working on the bike in that landscape! Besides you need a good detailed map of the whole stretch and that means 5 or 6 maps you have to buy.
I'll did rather walk !!
The Never-option is a much easier option for bikers.
Good luck!
Paul