Mardonenque Stream circular loop

Start from the village square in Verlac.

(S/E) Take a small road heading west-north-west up to Verlaguet.

(1) Take the wide path branching off to the right (north).

(2) At the 1008-metre mark, turn right and join the D503 at the Col de Verlac (wooden Celtic cross, primitive sculpture). Turn right and enter Les Mazes.

(3). Walk down through the hamlet, past an old barn converted into a guesthouse. Follow the path (facing east) for 1.5 km down to Boralde Monnette.

(4) Cross two streams in succession (take care). At Boralde Mardonenque, there are the ruins of a mill 50 metres to the right.
Head back up towards Naves along a south-facing path, which you follow for about 2 km.

(5) You can visit the village, which is currently being renovated, and then retrace your steps.

(5) Take the path heading south-west at the entrance to the village and head towards Le Cros.

(6). Turn left and walk through the hamlet. At the Fork in the road just outside the hamlet, turn right onto the path below which leads to Les Recostes.

(7). At Les Recostes, turn right towards the west onto a path which, after about 1 km, turns north. You’ll reach the footbridge over the Madonenque, which has been rebuilt.

(8). Climb up to Les Fessouyres, then follow the small tarmac road for 700 metres.

(9) Turn right onto a wide track and head up to Verlac (1,200 m) (S/E).

The water on the route is not drinkable; please make your own arrangements.
Shelters at Les Mazes, Naves, Le Cros and Les Fessouyres.
Wear high-top boots, a hat, a rain jacket and walking poles.
The second ford must be approached with caution; it can be quite difficult if it has just rained.
Take a packed lunch to avoid low blood sugar.
FFRP signposting

Information about the commune of Aurelle-Verlac:
The distinctly mountainous character of the upper part of the commune, centred on the summit of the Aubrac in Aveyron known as Cazalet at 1,463 metres, contrasts with its lower reaches, which enjoy a milder, less windy climate around the Minié Bas at an altitude of 500 metres.
This vast area is also deeply carved out the further down you go, from north to south, by torrential and mysterious rivers known as ‘boraldes’. The commune comprises five ancient villages and around twenty hamlets, all linked by an age-old network of country lanes.