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Park in the small central square in Castenau-de-Mandailles.
(S/E) Head south towards the town hall. Go around the church. At the end of Rue des Tranches-Bourses, take the dirt track that starts at the bend. Go down to the second Y-junction. Take the right-hand branch, which leads to a small clearing at the edge of a wide stony track.
(1) Take the track to the left. Follow the Ruisseau des Mousseaux stream. Arrive at La Pougette (cross andPR®40sign). Continue straight ahead, cross the stream and climb up to find the D557.
(2) First turn left then right to follow the Tendes Moulin forest track. Pay close attention to spot the first path that turns right. The path is rarely used and may be overgrown with brambles and tall grass. Climb up to reach the road.
(3) Cross the main road and continue straight ahead. Keep heading south until you reach a T-junction.
(4) Turn left twice. Head towards Vernet. The path becomes a road and leads to Lestival. At the first wayside cross, turn left. Pass a second white wayside cross at the exit of the hamlet.
(5) Turn right. Go up the track lined with hedges. Ignore the two turnings on the right, near elevation 671. Temporarily ignore the turning on the left at elevation 756 and ignore the cul-de-sac opposite.
(6) Turn right and continue climbing for a round trip to the Puech de Barry viewpoint. Keep heading west during the climb. At the next crossroads (not shown on the IGN map), continue straight ahead. Pass a geodetic marker before reaching the summit of Puech.
(7) From Puech du Barry, retrace your steps to the previous point.
(6) Descend southwards along the wide dirt track on the right. At the Bouscaillou track, continue to the right and pass the farm of the same name. Reach the D141.
(8) Turn left and walk a few dozen metres. Turn right at the first road towards Les Colombies. You will find the rubbish bins at the second bend.
(9) Leave the road and take the local road on the left towards La Rausse. Head towards the valley on the edge of the Lot.
(10) At the T-junction in front of the river, turn right towards Alauzet. The footpath passes a rest area with picnic tables, barbecue and toilet facilities.
(11) From the rest area described above, continue along the banks of the Lot. Cross a stream at Cante-Perdrix. Continue climbing towards the castle. Note the waterfall on the right at the Drulhe bend.
(12) Make a detour to the right to visit the village of Mandailles. After your visit, continue along the road overlooking the Castelnau-Lassouts reservoir until you reach the spillway.
(13) Climb up to the right and join the D141, following it to the right towards Le Cambon. At the bend, turn left, then pass the cemetery and go around the church. Keep to the right and leave the hamlet. The road becomes a dirt track again.
(14) Climb the path that crosses a chestnut grove, heading generally north.
(15) Continue along the wide track, leaving Le Guiraldès on your left. Keep heading towards La Pougette. After crossing the Ruisseau des Mousseaux stream, you will return to the starting point of the circular route.
(1) Retrace your steps to return to the village square (S/E).
Tourist office
Easy 
Visorando member
Difficult 
