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Departure from the castle car park.
(S/E) At the end of the car park, take the path heading south for about 100 metres and continue west.
(1) About 50 metres after an old transformer, do not continue along the path but take the trail that descends to the left (signposted "Sanctuaires"). At the next fork, turn right and stay on the hillside (do not go down towards the valley). Then head west, overlooking the Alzou Canyon. Don't forget to close the sheep gate at the Hermit's house. After 1.3 km, close the second sheep gate.
(2) Cross the D673 road and continue straight ahead through the Rocamadour vineyards. These vineyards date back to Roman times, when our hillsides already offered favourable conditions for producing high-quality wine that was renowned beyond the region's borders. Continue to the small village of La Fage.
(3) Cross the small hamlet and continue straight ahead along the path that descends towards the bottom of the valley. Do not take the first path on the left after 400 metres, but continue towards Combe des Fontaines. Opposite, you will see the hamlet of La Gardelle: do not go up there, but take the second path on the left to La Font Basse (fountain at the 3rd kilometre). Continue southwards along the hillside until you reach the road that descends from La Gardelle.
(4) Follow this road along the handrail via the "Sentier de Chèvres" on the left, slightly below, until you reach the crossroads (4th kilometre). Cross opposite and continue along the small path descending south-west for 200 metres. At the bottom, follow the stream, still heading west. There is a footbridge 100 metres further on if the ford is submerged, which is very rare in summer!
(5) Cross the Alzou and continue along the same path, heading south (5th kilometre).
Go downhill for 1.5 km south-southeast to the ruins of the Moulin de Cabouy and the resurgence of the Ouysse (7th kilometre). An information panel about the Ouysse basin and its underground course is located on the road near the resurgence.
(6) Head north-east and follow this path to the crossroads. Here you will find the Calvary of the Croix de Crouzol, decorated with a sportelle and a shell, signs that you are on the right path to Le Puy-en-Velay, Rocamadour and Santiago de Compostela.
(7) Go straight ahead and descend towards the Alzou valley. Cross the stream on the bridge 500 metres further on. Continue along this same path until you reach the tarmac road after 9 kilometres. Take the road on the right for 500 metres until you reach the first crossroads. Before turning left, admire the Moulin de Roquefraiche on your right, dating back to the 12th century, with its six-storey watchtower. Then climb up Rue du Coustalou towards the first fortified gate of Rocamadour and enter the town. 200 metres further on, on the left, take the Grand Escalier and climb the 216 steps leading to the sanctuaries, which some pilgrims climb on their knees, reciting a Hail Mary at each step... until you reach the Miraculous Chapel!
(8) Here, religion, memory and culture reign supreme.
Leave the square via the pedestrian tunnel lined with hundreds of ex-votos bearing testimony to the various graces received in this sanctuary. Head back up to the castle car park via the Way of the Cross, which winds its way up to your left (S/E).
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