Conques en Rouergues - Livinhac le Haut

(S) From the campsite, head south-east on the Moulinols road until you reach the crossroads.

(1) Cross the small stone bridge over the River Dourdou on your right. Walk along the D232 to the hairpin bend, then take the path that leads into the woods to begin a steep climb. Cross the D232 and continue climbing to the Sainte-Foy Chapel.

(2) Continue on the GR®65, following the red and white markings.

(3) At the T-junction, turn left until you reach the next T-junction with the D606.

(4) Turn left again to reach the highest point at the hamlet of Puech Long. Continue south-east on the D606 until you reach the junction with the D580.

(5) Turn left towards Noailhac, take the hairpin bend and descend to the village on the D580.

(6) Turn right onto Impasse des Pèlerins towards Combarel, pass the communal lodge before arriving at Place de la Foire, then turn right. Pass the church and then the town hall before arriving at the junction with the D502. At the signpost, head towards Decazeville.

(7) Just before the last house, turn right onto Chemin de Saint-Roch towards Merlaterie. At the hairpin bend, continue straight ahead, heading north-west, until you reach the junction with the D580 and Chapelle Saint-Roch.

(8) Turn left onto the D580. Continue to the crossroads located about 100 metres after a large relay antenna.

(9) Continue straight ahead towards Bessenoits.

(10) Shortly after the junction with the road to Fagegaltier, turn left onto the stony path to cross vast meadows and return to the D580 at a picnic area.

(11) Continue south-west, following the red and white markings, until you reach a stony path marked by a green marker.

(12) Turn left onto the tree-lined path heading south-west and continue until you reach the junction with the^GR®®62B.

(13) Ignore this^GR®® and continue on the^GR®®65to the hamlet of Laubarède.

(14) Skirt around this hamlet, keeping to the same direction, to reach the Chemin de Saint-Michel. Cross the hamlet of Les Fromentels and continue to the hamlet of La Combe.

(15) Cross the hamlet and continue until you reach the picnic area at a place called Vivioles.

(16) Continue along the Vivioles road until you reach the junction with the Montarnal road.

(17) Keep left on the Montarnal road until you reach the junction with the Lestrade road.

(18) Turn left to stay on the Montanal road and arrive at the stop sign in the town of Decazeville, at the Le Phoenix snack bar. Turn left then right into the no-entry lane and arrive at Rue Camille Douls: follow Toutes Directions. At the stop sign (you can refuel at Carrefour Contact by turning left at the roundabout and heading towards the town centre), turn right onto Avenue Laromiguière towards Aurillac. Continue for a few dozen metres until you reach a picnic area.

(19) Turn left onto Route de Natuech. Stay on this fairly steep road for about 1.2 km until you reach house number 1210.

(20) Turn left onto Chemin du Boutigou and continue to the cemetery in the hamlet of Saint-Roch.

(21) Turn left towards the chapel and continue on the D157 heading north-west. Pass two huge concrete cisterns and then under the power line. At a place called Pomayrol, pass the relay antenna on your left and continue until you reach the no entry sign.

(22) Turn right onto the small grassy path lined with trees towards Livinhac. Follow this path downhill until you reach the D21 at the Livinhac Bridge.

(23) Turn left and head towards Boisse-Ponchot, taking care on the D21, to reach La Combe Nègre and the entrance to the Rocquelongue campsite (E) 700 m further on.

Camping Roquelongue. Tel: 05 65 63 39 67 http://www.camping-roquelongue.com/
Refuelling: Carrefour Contact (19) towards the town centre in Decazeville, in Livinhac

(1) Pilgrims' Bridge in Conques en Rouergues: magnificent medieval bridge.

Chapelle Saint-Foy between (2).

Decazeville (19): an artistic town home to the Church of Notre-Dame, which houses a priceless treasure: Gustave Moreau's Way of the Cross, the only symbolist Way of the Cross in the world (19th century).

(E) Livinhac-le-Haut: nicknamed the Gardens of Aveyron, Livinhac-le-Haut is now renowned for its market gardening and horticultural production in the Lot meander.