Quercy Outdoor: Le Gaillard

Start from the car park at the Salviac municipal swimming pool.

(S/E) From the car park, cross the D673 and head right until you reach the first lane opposite No. 330. Walk between the houses and follow the small path on the left to the cemetery. Continue straight on at the first junction to reach a second one.

(1) Turn left towards the village of Salviac, then right onto Route du Bascoul. Walk past the Chapelle de l’Olm, then continue for about 15 metres along the road that descends to the left. Then cross the ford to reach a road, with a glimpse of Lacoste Castle.

(2) Turn right onto the footpath that runs alongside the road until you reach a large crossroads (D673).

(3) Cross it and head up the Route des Crozes Hautes. Take the Route des Perdigous and turn down the first path on the left. At the junction, turn right and walk along the fields for a long stretch until you reach the edge of the forest.

(4) Just before you reach it, take the path that climbs to the right up to a wide track, then turn left. Carry on straight ahead until you come to a tarmac road.

(5) Turn left onto this road for about 20 metres, then take the first path on the left. Carry on straight ahead, then turn right at the bottom of the first descent. Walk downhill for a long way until you reach a junction with a GR^®.

(6) Turn right onto the^GR® 652 and reach the hamlet of Pech Gaillard by following the road and going straight on at the junction.

(7) In the centre of the hamlet, leave the^GR® 652 and continue for about 40 metres along the road, to the left of the iron cross. Take the path on the left which descends to the foot of a pylon until you reach a road (D47).
Turn left, then immediately right onto the track, cross the Ourajou and stay on this track until the next junction.

(8) Turn right onto the hairpin bend, then left again onto another hairpin bend. Climb for a long stretch (enjoy the panoramic view over the Ourajou valley) until you reach the road. Cross it and continue along this track until you reach another road.

(9) Cross it, go straight on and pass through the hamlet of Le Mas. At the hairpin bend to the right, head down to the left along the first path until you reach a road.

(10) Turn left onto this road, then right. Pass in front of the Moulin de Labro and come out onto a cross-road (D47). Turn right, then quickly take a path leading uphill to the left. At the start, there is a fork in the road; continue to the right towards Salviac and reach the next junction.

(11) Turn left, heading due west, past the ruins of Taillardas and Île Ferme, then take the first small path on the right, before the no-entry sign. At the road (D2), turn right as far as the Pigeonnier, then left to return to the starting point (S/E).

(1) Notre-Dame-de-l’Olm Chapel
(2) Lacoste Castle