From Le Buisson to the Refuge des Rajas

Departure from the large car park located south of the village of Le Buisson, just north of Rue des Sognes.

(S) Head north and towards the centre of the village. You will come out onto the main road (church on your right), Route du Buisson (D11).

(1) Follow this road to the left. At the crossroads, continue west on Route du Gibertès (still on the D11).

(2) At the edge of the village, when the road turns sharply left, take the second road on the right. Head uphill towards the west.

(3) At the end of the road, turn left onto a small road.

(4) Return to the D11 and first turn right then left to cross it carefully and take the red and yellow marked path opposite (GRP® du Tour des Monts d'Aubrac). At the fork shortly after, continue right on the GRP®. Ignore a path on the right and you will soon come to another fork.

(5) Then turn left onto the GRP®. Keep heading south-east.

(6) At the end of the path, continue straight ahead on a road until you reach the entrance to the hamlet of Chantegrenouille.

(7) Cross this hamlet on the main road that turns left and descends. Leave the hamlet by following the road downhill.

(8) After crossing a stream, turn left onto a path that runs alongside the road.

(9) Cross the D900 carefully and continue on the road towards Saint-Laurent-de-Muret. Enter the village on the main road and arrive at the foot of the church.

(10) Continue along the small road and, at the intersection that appears shortly after, turn right. At the crossroads, turn left.

(11) On leaving the village, take a path on the left, still following the GRP®. Further on, enter the forest. Continue straight ahead through the forest, ignoring all the paths on either side.

(12) When you leave the forest, continue through the meadows, following the GRP®, and ignore a path on the right. Further on, cross a stream and walk along a wood on your left.

(13) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead along the edge of the forest, then slightly inside the woods. Continue between the meadows.

(14) At the crossroads, turn left with the GRP®.

(15) You will come out onto a small road; follow it to the right. At the fork shortly after, keep right and cross the hamlet of La Blatte. At the end of the tarmac road, continue along a path, still following the GRP®.

(16) At the intersection, turn left, cross a stream and enter the forest. Ignore a path on the left and continue through the forest, heading south-east.

(16) Turn left to start a long stretch through the forest and ignore all the paths on either side to stay on the GRP® Tour des Monts d'Aubrac (yellow and red).

From this point, you will often see signs indicating the direction of the Refuge des Rajas. Follow these signs.

(17) At an intersection, take a hairpin turn to the right with the GRP®. Ignore a turnoff on the right (elevation 1224) and head south-southeast.

(18) At the intersection, turn right. Keep the forest covering Mountasset hill on your left. At the crossroads (elevation 1356), turn right.

(19) At the T-junction, turn right onto the GR®60 (red and white markings) and the GRP®. Keep heading west-northwest then northwest, stay on the main marked path and ignore all turnoffs on either side.

(20) You will come out onto the D52 and follow it to the right. After a sharp right turn (elevation 1328), leave the road and take a path on the left.

(21) At a fork, bear right, still following the GR® and GRP® trails. This will take you to the Refuge des Rajas (E).

Remember to book your stay at the Refuge des Rajas, which offers excellent half-board accommodation (a picnic option for the following day is also available).

You can buy drinks (and food) in Bonnecombe (20) at the end of the route.

Water points can be found in the various villages along the route.

You can climb up to Signal de Mailhebiau once you arrive at the refuge (don't hesitate to ask the owners).