A circular loop between Limogne-en-Quercy and the hamlet of Saint-Clair

Starting point at the entrance to the hamlet of Mas de Couderc. There is no car park, but you can park a few cars at the side of the road. It is a cul-de-sac hamlet, so there is very little traffic.

(S/E) Head north-east along the small road on the right and cross the hamlet.

(1) At the T-junction (small stone cross), take the path on the right and follow the signs for “Source de Roquecave”. This section is marked in yellow (^PR® trail).

(2) At the junction, turn right. Carry on straight ahead, north-north-west, until you reach a tarmac road at another junction.

(3) Turn right onto this small road, which leads to the hamlet of Roquecave.

(4) At the end of the tarmac road, head down to the right along a small path and you’ll soon reach the Roquecave spring. Retrace your steps.

(4) Back on the tarmac road, take the small path on the right between two houses. After about 300 m, the path running along the cliff edge offers a magnificent, unobstructed view of the Causse in the distance.

(5) Go through the gate on the right, making sure to close it properly behind you (sheep grazing). Continue northwards.

(6) Join a wide track and follow it to the left towards the Chapelle Saint-Clair. Shortly after the chapel, at the crossroads, take the road on the left that leads downhill for 800 m, until you reach another crossroads. Turn left and continue for about a hundred metres.

(7) Turn right onto a very shaded path until you reach a sheepfold at the edge of the woods. Continue along the road that passes through the hamlet of Mas de Bassoul.

(8) Leave the road as you exit Mas de Bassoul and take the path on the left which descends to Lac de Fondecouelle, then on to Mas de Rastouillet.

(9) At this farmhouse, take the road to the left and head back to the junction you passed on the way there.

(3) Turn right and walk in the opposite direction to the outward journey until you reach the first junction.

(2) Then carry on straight ahead, leaving the path you took on the way there on your left.

(10) Before reaching the hamlet of Mas de Benech, head up to the left onto the small ‘puits’ path.

(11) As you come out of the path and reach the houses, immediately take a track on the left which offers an unobstructed view to the left, across the vast meadows. Return to the tarmac road and you will soon reach a T-junction in the hamlet of Mas de Couderc. Then turn right and you will immediately reach the car park (S/E).

- The hamlet of Mas de Couderc, the start and finish point of the walk.
- Roquecave, a few buildings that jealously guard the pretty Roquecave spring below the hamlet.
- The cliff-top path above the Roquecave spring, offering a remarkable view to the south.
- The hamlet of Saint-Clair, the ‘miraculous’ spring, the chapel and its tiny cemetery.
- Lake Fondecouelle (on the Causse, a ‘lake’ refers to a small body of water, a pond or a spring).
- The row of wells and the spring at Mas de Bénech.