Rob's 2026 Guide to the Via Podiensis includes the Rocamadour and Célé Variants
How This Guide Came to Be
Thirteen years ago, I built a simple spreadsheet to help fellow pilgrims in our Facebook group dedicated to the Via Podiensis. It listed every gîte, community, distance, and key service along the way — nothing fancy, just everything you needed in one place.
That simplicity turned out to be its greatest strength. Pilgrims loved being able to grasp the whole journey at a single glance, without wading through pages of dense text.
Last year, we listened closely to your feedback and took a big leap forward; completely reimagining the guide while keeping that clarity you valued. Maps, elevation profiles, and visual aids joined the mix.
This year, we've gone even further.
"I just finished walking with three friends. We used only your guide the whole way." — Dave L.
"I downloaded your GPX files onto Maps.me — you've made it so easy! When I walked the Camino Francés it took me ages to figure out the route. Here it was just handed to me on a platter." — Suzanne S
Plan Your Own Journey, Your Own Way
The 2026 guide is built around a new organizing principle:
sections, not fixed stages
Each section covers roughly 2 to 3 days of walking, 40-50km, giving you a clear framework to shape your own daily stages — at your pace, with your needs in mind, not according to someone else's idea of what you "should" walk.
What's Inside Each Section
Elevation profiles show you the principal places, distances between them, and a color-coded difficulty band at a glance: green for easy, orange for moderate, red for hard. No surprises on the trail.
Maps use the same place and distance data, giving you a clear sense of how the Camino moves across the landscape. Notice the yellowGPX download link in Yellow, ready to load into your favorite mapping app.
Info blocks — the heart of each section — list every place along the way with distances and a full set of icons showing available services: where to take a break, restock supplies, find an ATM, locate a tourist office, catch transport, find other lodging, camp, or visit a local market. Blue highlighted rows are where you’ll find gîtes that are up to 1Km off the route. Other than major stops, yellow highlighted rows are places where its great to take a break
Gîte blocks list every gîte along the section — including those slightly off the route — organized by location. Each name is a live link to their full details, with phone numbers (WhatsApp numbers shown in green), and clear pricing for bed only, bed + breakfast, demi-pension, kitchen access, and camping. Private rooms are indicated in column P
Navigation aids include small detailed maps for town exits, so you won't lose the way in potentially confusing spots.
Whether you're a seasoned pilgrim or walking your first Camino,
you'll find exactly what you need without getting lost in overwhelming detail:
distances, accommodations, services, and key waypoints…
What Pilgrims Say
"Your guide from 2022 was the best of the three guides we used." — Beth M.
"Rob definitely provides a much-needed and appreciated service." — Matthew H.
"I love this. It has been the easiest tool for planning." — Cindy W.
"I downloaded your GPX files onto Maps.me You've made it so easy! When I walked the Camino Francés it took me ages to figure out the route. Here it was just handed to me on a platter." —Suzanne S.
"This is all I need for my walk, and it weighs nothing in my bag." — Chris S.
"I just finished walking with three friends. We used only your guide the whole way." — Dave L.
"What an amazing resource this is for planning our journey!" — J. Persic
Everything in the 2026 Guide
120 pages of visually clear, reliable information — built from 13 years of experience helping pilgrims walk this route with confidence.
Here's what you'll find inside: comprehensive maps with route markings, variants, and points of interest; visual elevation profiles for every section; GPX links; intuitive icons for all services from pharmacies to restaurants; detailed gîte listings with up-to-date prices and amenities; town exit maps for tricky navigation; full coverage of route variants including the Célé Valley and Rocamadour; live tap-to-visit links for every gîte; WhatsApp-ready phone numbers in green; and it’s a PORTABLE PDF you can plan with at home and carry on your phone.
Our Promise to You
As pilgrims who have walked this route both alone and together — and many other Caminos besides — Rob and Kate have poured real care into every detail of this guide.
Our promise is simple: we want you to focus on what truly matters. The path, the people, the moments you'll carry home. We've taken care of the logistics so you can give yourself fully to the journey.
Bon Chemin — let the adventure begin!
Rob and Kate
At just $14.99 (USD) — exceptional value for a thorough, truly portable PDF guide: plan comfortably at home, then have it right on your phone — handy anytime, with no extra weight or bulk to carry
Grab your copy of the 2026 guide here
One More Thing for Your Camino
Planning is half the journey — but language brings it to life. You've got your route, your stages, your guide. 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 built around the real conversations you'll actually have on the road.