Estréchoux circular loop

The starting point car park is located on the right in the Estréchoux le Vieux district, in the direction of Graissessac.

(S/E) Take Grande Rue until you find a pub on the left, immediately after

(1) Turn onto Rue du Four Blanc and follow it until you reach an uphill path with a sign pointing towards "Chemin du Buis". Continue along the path until you reach a fork.

(2) Descend a path on the right through the broom bushes. Very quickly, this path climbs back up and joins a path coming from the left.

(3) Follow the path opposite to cross a stream called "La Fontaine de Santé". After the stream, begin a fairly steep climb of about 100 m with a central island. From then on, the path becomes more passable and almost like a balcony, as you can see a few houses in Graissessac through the trees at times. Continue along this path, ignoring another path that comes in from the left further on. Continue until you reach a path that leads to a crossroads. Continue straight ahead for a few metres to reach a road (D163) that comes from Graissessac and leads to the Col de Layrac.

(4) Walk left along the quiet road for 500 metres, then turn left (elevation 461) onto a track, which you leave just before you see a large rock on your left.

(5) Continue to the right on a path that turns into a trail passing by an old coal mine. This trail then joins a track to the right, going up into a wood. It passes close to a field on the right (used for model aircraft flying) and arrives at a crossroads. On the left, you will see a picnic table.

(6) Continue straight ahead, ignoring a road that descends towards the hamlet of Les Nières. Continue along the track, which is circular at an elevation of 548 metres.

(7) Continue downhill, taking a fork on the left. Follow this road for 1 km before reaching a hairpin bend.

(8) Take the hairpin bend to the left. Continue along this path, which will turn left again after 400 m downhill, then climb back up. Continue along the balcony path before arriving at a place called La Boustinquier.

(9) Continue along the same path, which is now paved. It widens and becomes a road leading to the hamlet of Les Nières.

(10) Cross it and climb towards the church, taking the narrow streets on the left. After passing in front of the church, follow a concrete path that climbs out of the hamlet before becoming a very pretty balcony path. Leave this path by taking a wooden staircase that leads to a passage at the foot of a mine embankment. After a slight climb, you will reach a grassy plateau where you will find a sign pointing to "Chapelle à 500 m" (Chapel 500 m away).

(11) Follow the path that leads to the Saint-Laurent Chapel, visible on the left at the edge of a wood, after a slightly tricky descent on the stony path.

(12) After stopping at the chapel, walk along Lake Saint-Laurent on your right. Then turn right onto a track that winds upwards, facing the wind turbines visible in the distance.
At the first bend to the left on the track, two large cairns mark a path that starts to climb.

(13) Leave the track and follow this path, which offers views of Lake Saint-Laurent below.

(14) At the end of the path, follow the track on the right which descends to a fork.

(15) Continue left for about 250 metres.

(16) Pass through the hamlet of Les Buis. Continue to a hairpin bend.

(17) Turn onto a path that leads back to the fork you passed on the way there.

(2) Retrace your steps in the opposite direction towards the Estréchoux le Vieux car park (S/E).

As the route is not signposted at all, we recommend using the Visorando app or a hiking GPS to follow the trail more easily.
Avoid hiking on hunting days or after heavy rain the day before.

Visit the hamlet of Les Nières via a maze of narrow streets, stairways and archways.
Stop at the Saint-Laurent Chapel, which is currently undergoing restoration.