Espalion - Golinhac

(S) From the campsite, head north-west along the right bank of the Lot to Rue Saint-Joseph. Turn right into this street, then right again at the Tourist Office on Rue Arthur Canel, going against the one-way flow (refreshments available at the end of Rue Arthur Canel). At the end of the street, first turn left then right to follow the Lot along the Quai du 19 Mars 1962 and continue to the junction with Rue du Docteur Jean Capoulade.

(1) Leave the banks of the Lot and turn left onto Rue Capoulade, then right onto Rue Eugène Salettes. Continue to the end of the street

(2) Turn left before the dead-end road, then right onto Chemin de Compostelle, following the red and white markings of the GR® 65. Continue along Rue des Champs de Reversac until you reach the stop sign.

(3) Turn right onto Avenue de Saint-Pierre. (A sign advises motorists to take care on the Chemin de Compostelle). Stay on the avenue for about 1.2 km.

(4) After passing under the D108, turn left towards the Romanesque church. Walk past the cemetery

(5) Saint-Pierre de Bessuéjouls Church, continue to the Domaine d’Armagnac.

(6) Cross the bridge, then turn left, following the red and white markings towards Estaing (Caution: steep climb here. You can also follow the markings to the right, but this is a longer route).

(7) Head left onto the^GR®65. Pass through the hamlet of Le Briffoul.

(8) Turn right and cross the hamlet of Beauregard.

(9) Turn left at the cemetery. Continue to the hamlet of Les Camps.

(10) Head right, go under the power lines and continue to the hamlet of Acacia.

(11) Turn right and head towards the hamlet of Verrières.

(12) Turn left onto Rue des Menuisiers

(13) At the T-junction, turn right; a little further on, follow the River Lot and continue to the bridge in the village of Estaing.

(14) Turn right, cross the bridge and head towards the castle and the church to take a break and enjoy a visit to Saint-Fleuret Church and the view of the castle and the town of Estaing (picnic tables and drinking water in front of the church).

(15) From the church, after your lunch break, turn back and head for the banks of the Lot to cross the bridge again.

(14) Follow the signs for La Rouquette, along the Chemin des Chenevières. Walk along the meandering river on your right until you reach the hamlet of La Rouquette

(16) At La Rouquette, turn left and cross the Luzanes stream

(17) Turn left onto the GR® 65, following the red and white markings

(18) Turn left before entering the hamlet of Montegut and continue westwards.

(19) At the cross, continue in the same direction. Pass through the hamlets of La Sansagerie and Le Mas.

(20) Continue along the^GR® and pass through the hamlets of Massip and La Peyre

(21) Continue towards the village of Golinhac.

(22) At the Stop sign on the D519, turn right (refreshments available at the village entrance on the left), then immediately left, following signs for the campsite (E).

Refreshments available in Espalion (S), Estaing (15) and Golinhac (E).
Campsite: Camping Pole Touristique Bellevue Tel: 0689554632 http://www.pole-bellevue.fr/

(14) The Pont d’Estaing. Built from 1490 onwards by the inhabitants of Estaing, the bridge is constructed of schist and features a limestone coping. It comprises four Gothic double-roll arches. The front piers are triangular; the rear piers are rectangular. The bridge is complemented by a small chapel dedicated in 1524 to Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows. In 1866, the sculptor François Mahoux created the statue of François d’Estaing situated above the central pier. The cast-iron cross is the work of Henri Lesieur.
The banks of the Lot.
Saint-Fleuret Church (5) and Estaing Castle (15).
Golinhac (E): perched on the plateau, Golinhac overlooks the steep cliffs of the Gorges du Lot.