From Caylar to La Couvertoirade

Mail du Terral car park, near Caylar Town Hall.

(S/E) Head to the Town Hall and turn left onto the Route de Millau (D609): follow the red and white markings of the GR®71. Walk carefully alongside the road until you reach a stream.

(1) Turn right onto a path and walk for about a hundred metres. Then take a track branching off to the left, heading towards the Domaine des Templiers campsite.

(2) Go round the campsite on the right and continue into the woodland. You’ll reach a three-way junction near the Mas Blanc.

(3) Keep slightly to the right, then carry on straight ahead until you reach the access road to the Mas d’Aussel.

(4) Cross the road, head straight ahead, and keep going until you reach a crossroads.

(5) Leave the return path on your right and carry on straight ahead, towards Laguiole and Montaymat, following the GR®71 signposts. Go round this small peak (869 m) on the right and reach another junction.

(6) Go straight on, towards the Château de la Couvertoirade, and you’ll come out onto a road.

(7) Follow this road to the left, then take Rue de la Cité to the right. Turn right again at Place de la Cour Neuve, near the Town Hall and the Couvertoirade Post Office. Go through the gate in the town wall to reach the Templar Castle. Then continue straight on to return to the road you took earlier.

(7) Turn left to follow the Route de la Virenque: signposted GR®71.

(8) Leave this road, leaving the GR® behind, and follow the GRP® ‘Tour du Larzac Méridional’ route: marked in yellow and red. Walk for about a hundred metres until you reach a three-way junction.

(9) Take the Chemin de Roujoulas, which branches off to the left with the GRP®. You’ll reach a star-shaped junction.

(10) Carry on straight ahead, staying on the Chemin de Roujoulas and following the GRP® markings. You’ll come to a fork in the path.

(11) Leave the GRP®, turn right, and continue down the valley to rejoin the GR®71 at a junction you passed on the way out.

(5) Turn left and follow the outward route in the opposite direction to return to Le Caylar and the car park (S/E).

1. Wear good walking shoes.
2. The path is quite stony.

1. La Couvertoirade. The route through the village is shown for guidance only. You can also take the opportunity to explore this fortified village in more detail, with its narrow streets and shops.
2. Caylar Wildlife Park.