Walking from Lourdes to Saint Jean Pied de Port

The GR78, or Voie du Piémont Pyrénéen (the Pyrenean Foothills Route), is one of the great long-distance trails crossing the French Pyrenees, alongside the GR10. Spanning a total of 505 km, it runs from the picturesque town of Carcassonne to the renowned Saint Jean Pied de Port, featuring numerous variants along the way.

In this article, we'll focus exclusively on the section from Lourdes to Saint Jean Pied de Port, ideal for anyone arriving at Lourdes Airport who wishes to reach the official start of the Camino de Santiago on foot. For those departing from Northern Italy, the Milan/Bergamo to Lourdes route is the most economical and fastest option, as it's served by direct flights from a major budget airline.

General Information about the GR78: Lourdes to Saint Jean Pied de Port

The GR78 section from Lourdes to Saint Jean Pied de Port covers 146 km and is officially divided into 7 stages.

1. Lourdes – Asson   23.3 km
2. Asson – Arudy   18.8 km
3. Arudy – Oloron Sainte Marie   22.8 km
4. Oloron Sainte Marie – Hôpital Saint Blaise   23.8 km
5. Hôpital Saint Blaise – Mauléon   14 km
6. Mauléon – Saint Just Ibarre   22.3 km
7. Saint Just Ibarre – Saint Jean Pied de Port   20.6 km

As you can see, these are not long stages. In fact, they may be quite short for those accustomed to covering longer distances. The presence of pilgrim hostels and accommodations at intermediate points allows fairly flexible management of your walking pace. It's therefore possible to complete the route in 6 days, or even 5 if your legs are up to it.

You'll be in the heart of the French Pyrenees, surrounded by one of Europe's most beautiful and spectacular mountain ranges. Unlike other Grande Randonnée routes, such as the GR10, the Lourdes to Saint Jean Pied de Port section doesn't cross high peaks and mountains, but rather gentle rolling hills, reaching a maximum elevation of 560 m at Sainte Colome. Elevation gains are therefore not overly demanding, averaging around 300–400 m per stage.

The trail itself is remarkably straightforward and not at all challenging. Alongside beautiful forest paths surrounded by greenery, you'll unfortunately also encounter considerable road walking. Mostly secondary and agricultural roads, though you may need to walk a few kilometres on busier roads. Always exercise caution in these sections.

In summary, the GR78 section from Lourdes to Saint Jean Pied de Port can be classified as Leisure/Moderate Hiking, within the hiking difficulty scale. A route truly accessible to everyone.

Waymarking

Waymarking on the Lourdes to Saint Jean Pied de Port section can be confusing and sometimes unclear. There are many variants, local trails, and deviations along the route, and often the signs overlap, creating confusion.

My recommendation is to always carry a detailed trail map to find the correct path even when signs are absent. Also ask for directions at the accommodations where you stay—staff there will certainly be able to help.

Generally, you should follow the white and red blazes and GR78 markers. Supporting these, you'll also find yellow arrows and scallop shells along the way. After all, you're walking a route that bridges pilgrimage and recreational hiking.

When to Walk

The best time to walk this GR78 section from Lourdes to Saint Jean Pied de Port is naturally April through October. During these months, you'll enjoy not only milder temperatures and less rainfall, but also reliable services in villages, as this region relies on summer tourism rather than winter visitors.

When determining the best season for a journey, we consider several factors, foremost among them the trail safety and conditions.

The Lourdes to Saint Jean Pied de Port section is relatively safe throughout the year. Naturally, in winter you'll need to carefully assess and pay close attention to bad weather, fog, and snowfall, but generally you need only apply the same caution you'd use during normal hiking outings. Take advantage of local knowledge—residents can offer valuable advice and suggest alternative routes if the main path is impassable.

The second consideration is the availability of pilgrim hostels, hotels, and dining options. Many restaurants and cafés that operate in summer close seasonally in winter, requiring you to stock up at your departure point with supplies for the entire day's walk. The same applies to many accommodations.

For pilgrim hostels, I recommend calling ahead to confirm they're open and prepared to receive guests. Many close from October to March, so please call ahead.

Where to Sleep and Eat on the GR78: Lourdes to Saint Jean Pied de Port

For the many hikers crossing the GR78 and traversing the French Pyrenees, accommodation options are plentiful, ranging from traditional hotels, bed & breakfasts, guesthouses, apartments, and campsites. Don't expect bargain prices: though conveniently located, France is not Spain, and nightly costs are comparable to those in our own regions and mountain areas. The same applies to restaurants, cafés, and shops.

However, if you're walking the GR78 from Lourdes to Saint Jean Pied de Port as a pilgrimage, you can take advantage of the many pilgrim hostels along the route. You'll simply need your pilgrim credential and a spirit of flexibility and community. When not donation-based, hostel prices typically hover around €15 per night.

Bed availability remains limited, so during peak season I recommend calling ahead to check availability. This way, if fully booked, you'll have time to arrange accommodation at a conventional hotel.

Regarding dining: pilgrims' menus will be quite rare here. And don't expect Spanish prices. France, particularly the Pyrenees region, is quite expensive. Budget accordingly.

If you stay at pilgrim hostels, take advantage of communal dinners and half-board options where available—you'll eat well in good company while spending sensibly.

Data from the Association of Friends of the Santiago de Compostela Camino, Atlantic Pyrenees, updated March 2016