Heights of the Nuech Valley and Oule Waterfall

In the centre of Laguiole, park on Place du Foirail (also known as Place du Taureau (sculpture)).

Yellow markings

(S/E) Head east towards the Bar-tabac du Foirail, note the yellow markings on a green post at the car park exit and continue to the roundabout. Go around it on the right, crossing a road, and take the next road, the D15.

Mountain bike trail markers and old inverted yellow markers (not very useful)

Turn right at the first street, Chemin de Lacaune (the least pleasant part of the route, but you have to leave the urban area). Follow this street around a right-hand bend and continue straight ahead at the crossroads. Further on, turn left to cross a car park and take the path at the end that joins the D15.

(1) Go a few metres to the right and follow the road opposite.

(2) At a farm shed, follow a grassy path on the right. Further on, ignore a path on the right and arrive at a four-way crossroads.

(3) Turn left.

(4) Just after passing several field entrances, pay attention: leave the path and turn right, following the fence on your right at a distance. After a few dozen metres, pass a post with a yellow arrow pointing in the opposite direction. Continue along this barely visible path through the field, looking for the yellow arrow posts from time to time. Mountain bike markings are also visible in places. Reach the edge of a beech forest. Follow the mountain bike markings, which run along the edge, rather than the yellow arrows, which deviate slightly. The two markings rejoin further on.

(5) Enter the undergrowth and reach a peat bog.

(6) This section of the route can be very wet. Cross several streams, then wade across the Ruisseau de la Nuech. The crossing can be difficult if there has been heavy rain in the previous days. Cross as best you can, bearing in mind that you need to join the path on the other side, which passes to the left of the green gate.
Shortly afterwards, you will come to an intersection with an arrow pointing in the opposite direction indicating^PR®®5. Turn left. Continue to a T-junction and look for the red and yellow markings for^{the GRP®®} Tours des Monts d'Aubrac.

Red and yellow^GRP®® markings

(7) Leave the mountain bike markings and turn left. You will reach a small road at a renovated buron (shepherd's hut).

(8) Follow it.

(9) Ignore the road to Durantet on the right.

(10) Cross the Ruisseau de la Nuech stream and join the D921 at the entrance to Laguiole (note the cheese dairy on the other side of the road, selling Laguiole cheese). Follow it to the left towards the town centre.

No signposts

(11) Before the left turn in the street, follow the sign for Esplanade du Fort on the right, then follow this direction at each intersection to climb up to the church and the viewpoint (orientation table).

(12) Retrace your steps to go back down and, at the first intersection, turn right along the school, pass under the turret of a beautiful old house and immediately go down the steps on the left. You will come to a square with the town hall, a fountain and a sculpture of a cow. Turn left. Take the first street on the right, Rue du Foirail.

(13) About 80 metres further on, leave Place du Foirail (S/E) on your left and continue straight ahead on a pedestrian path. Cross a road and take a path opposite, slightly to the right, at a yellow arrow indicating Départ (this is the start of the discovery trail)

Discovery trail (arboretum)markings, directional arrows and yellow lines

Further on, cross a bridge made of basalt columns and, about 50 metres after that, you will see arrows pointing to the left, indicating Sentier de découverte (discovery trail) and Difficulté 3* (difficulty level 3, rocks may be slippery).

(14) Turn left and follow a beautiful trail along the Vayssaire stream. You will arrive at the Oule waterfall.

(15) Continue along the path, which further on makes a sharp right turn and rejoins the path you left earlier, at the point where there are arrows pointing in opposite directions indicating Circuit long (Long route) and Retour Laguiole (Return to Laguiole). Turn right and rejoin the intersection of this small circular path.

(14) Take the same route back as you did on the way there.

(13) Turn right to return to Place du Foirail (S/E).

Moderate difficulty hike, standard hiking equipment required.
^GRP®® or Visorando app useful between (4) and (6)
Caution! During the rainy season, be sure to bring appropriate equipment for crossing the ford! Between (6) and (7)
Please note! If you are allergic to tarmac: the entire^GRP®® section is on a small (almost deserted) road

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

Photo album here

Laguiole knives are sold at the cheese shop indicated between (9) and (10), and fouasses and knives are sold throughout the town.