Cave and Montagne des Enguilhens from Viala Haut

From the D900, at Viala Bas, head up towards Viala Haut. At the next intersection with the Viala Haut road, there is an old picnic area and a large lay-by for parking (recycling bins). Old sign for this hike. (See alternative car park in the practical information section.)

Old yellow markings

(S/E) Follow the road towards Viala Haut and stay on it to cross the hamlet (oven, drinking trough). Continue on the road at the exit of the hamlet.

(1) At the intersection with a hairpin road on the right (alternative car park), continue straight ahead. Ignore a path on the left at the Bouyssou Haut farm and, facing the dead end, follow the path on the left. You will reach a four-way intersection.

(2) Turn right towards Grange de Guilhem. The path becomes a trail, a little muddy at the Serre stream crossing, and joins a road at a place called Pratmals.

(3) Follow the road to the left, leaving the houses on your right. Further on, ignore the road branching off to the right, pass the hamlet of Puech du Serre and arrive at an intersection at the end of a road.

(4) Keep left on the path towards Buron. Ignore a path on the left. Further on, you will reach a crossroads with an information panel about Montagne des Enguilhens.

(5) Cross the stream and follow the hairpin bend to the right towards Grotte des Enguilhens.

(6) At a fork in the path, go up to the left (precarious paper signs towards Grotte des Enguilhens). You will reach an intersection with the^GRP®® Tour des Monts d'Aubrac at the Clairière des Enguilhens marker.

Old yellow markings and red and yellow^GRP®® markings

(7) Continue straight ahead towards Laguiole. Ignore the side forest paths (recently added in 2024). You will arrive at an information panel about the Maquis Roland. The entrance to the Grotte des Anguilhens is below, under the Lorraine cross.

(8) Continue on the^GRP®®, ignoring the forest paths. Further on, ignore a path on the right and you will soon come to a track. Follow it straight ahead for about 50 metres and you will come to another crossroads (information sign about the^GRP®®).

(9) Follow the path on the left.

Old yellow markings

(10) At the intersection, leave the^GRP®® which branches off to the right and continue straight ahead. Ignore the old forest paths on either side.

(11) At the intersection with a very informative sign indicating "Retour vers le point 1" (Return to point 1), continue straight ahead and then, about 50 metres further on, follow the right-hand bend in the path, ignoring a path on the left. Further on, ignore a path on the right. You will arrive at the intersection you passed on the way there.

(2) Retrace your steps along the route you took on the way there.

No markings

(1) At the fork in the road, you can take the left-hand road, as on the trail. Further down, at the Bouyssou Bas intersection, turn right to return to the car park (S/E).

Hike of moderate difficulty, rather easy, standard hiking equipment required.

Alternative car park at (1) for those who do not wish to take the circular route around the village, entirely on the road.

Discover more hikes in this area with a description or the Visorando app here

Photo album here

Grotte des Enguilhens: it initially sheltered five young people who were refusing to participate in the STO (Service du Travail Obligatoire, Compulsory Work Service). From June 1943 onwards, they fitted out the cave and formed the founding base of the Maquis d'Aubrac, which would later become the Maquis Roland. Numbering 35 in June 1944, by the summer there were nearly 200 of them carrying out multiple operations such as receiving weapons and equipment. The entrance to the cave is located under the Lorraine cross.