Les Foulées du Malbec

Start from the village square. Parking available on the square.

(S/E) Cross the bridge over the Ruisseau de Bondoire, follow the tarmac road to the right and continue along a path that runs alongside the River Lot.

(1) Turn right, cross a small bridge over a stream and follow the river.

(2) Keep to the right onto a narrow path that leads downhill, cross a dry stream and, after a short climb, join a wider path that continues to follow the river. At the end of the path, you’ll reach a stretch of tarmac road.

(3) In the hamlet of Le Payral, before the Stop sign, take the road leading uphill to the left for about 200 m.

(4) After passing a small entrance to a stone-built house, about 20 m further on, take a narrow path branching off to the right which winds through a pine forest. After a somewhat strenuous climb, continue along the path as it winds through the pine forest. On emerging from the woods, carry on along the same path, which descends gently along a ridge and leads to the D137.

(5) Cross it carefully and carry on along the tarmac road opposite towards the hamlet of Roubignol.

(6) Turn right at a bend in the road as it descends past the houses, onto Impasse de la Source. At the end of the tarmac section, follow the path downwards. At the start of the path, there is a small bread oven on the right. Continue along a fairly wide path that descends and then climbs again.

(7) At the three-way junction, take the path leading uphill to the left.

(8) After a climb, turn left and follow the path that veers slightly to the right. Walk alongside a fenced-off field with vines. The path joins a tarmac road.

(9) Follow it to the right and continue along the road. At the end, you’ll come out onto the Route des Puits; follow this to the left for about 100 metres.

(10) After a low stone wall, take a path that branches off to the right and climbs. After a short climb, you’ll reach a plateau with an unobstructed view. Continue along a fairly wide path that descends.

(11) After the descent, at a bend, take the path branching off to the left. Continue along the path through a gently sloping valley, which then climbs slightly. At the top of the hill, go through a wire fence and turn off to the right, skirting a plot of vines. At the end of the row of vines, the path climbs up to the left between a plot of vines and a wire fence. Go round the vines. Cross the D137 with care and take the Route de la Taoulette to the left for 100 m towards Le Foussal.

(12) At the bend, leave the tarmac road and take the path leading off to the right, which runs alongside a vineyard. At the end of the vineyard, continue along the path to the right, which runs alongside another vineyard. Carry on along a narrow path. When you reach a field, turn left and rejoin the path on the right to reach a road. Follow it to the left, cross a road junction and carry on for a further 200 metres or so.

(13) At the end of a vineyard plot, take the path on the right, in front of a tree, which leads between the vines. Follow the path down between the rows of vines. At the bottom of the slope, turn right, go round a vineyard plot and continue alongside another plot on the left. You’ll see a gariotte on your right. Continue along the path which descends and goes round the vineyard on the left, then climbs slightly between the vines and bushes. Then continue along the path which runs alongside a dry-stone wall. At the end of the wall, continue along the path between the vines. Take the path on the right, between a vineyard and a fence marking the edge of a woodland. Go round the side of the woodland.

(14) Leave the path and take the one branching off to the left between the junipers. You’ll come to a tarmac road; follow it to the right until you reach a bend, past a pile of stones.

(15) Take the path branching off to the right between the trees – a narrow track that descends alongside a low stone wall. At the bottom of the path, carry on straight ahead along a slightly wider track, still following the low stone walls. At a three-way junction, take the left-hand path which leads uphill. Cross a road and continue straight ahead along the limestone track. Walk 100 m along the limestone track and take the path branching off to the right between the trees, leaving a house on your left. Cross the paragliding launch site and continue along a narrow path that descends through the woods. Follow the path as it begins a descent which can be slippery in wet or rainy weather. You’ll come to a road.

(16) Follow this road to the left, go round the bend and carry on for a good while; go round a hairpin bend to the left and continue for 100 m.

(17) Turn right onto a narrow path that leads downhill. When you reach another path, take the one on the left and follow it until you reach a road.

(18) After the castle, follow this street until you reach a road.

(19) Follow it to the right, cross the Ruisseau de Bondoire and arrive at the Place de Saint-Vincent-Rive-d’Olt (S/E).

No special equipment required, apart from good walking shoes and water in hot weather.

Gariotte (a dry-stone hut from the Lot region) after (13).