Shaded paths from L'Escourat to Saint-Paul de Mamiac

Car park at the hamlet of L'Escourat.

(S/E) Head up towards the hamlet and take the path that branches off to the left towards Ferrières Haut.

(1) Option to visit the Grotte des Barthasses on the right (round trip) in a lovely moss-covered setting. The final few metres are very steep: this detour is not shown on the route map. Pass through Ferrières Haut then follow the road for 200 m to a fork.

(2) Take the path on the right leading to La Boulbène.

(3) About 50 m before the buildings at La Boulbène, turn onto the small path that climbs to the right and follow it to the Ruisseau de Merdarié.

(4) Follow the stream bed for about ten metres before seeing, on the left, the continuation of the path leading to Valeyres. A few hundred metres before the farm, the path is narrow due to a small landslide. Pass the farm buildings.

(5) Take the path that climbs to the left near a very charming bungalow. The path overlooks the stream on the left and the final part of the climb is easy but quite impressive.

(6) Continue uphill and join the Route de Saint-Paul de Mamiac; follow it to the left for about a hundred metres.

(7) Leave the road and take the track that climbs to the left.

(8) Go round the back of a barn to rejoin a path that runs along the edge of the cliff, overlooking the valleywith views of the Grésigne and towards the Aveyron Gorges.

(9) Turn onto the path on the left, which begins a long descent towards a road.

(10) Follow this road to the left and reach the car park 500 m further on (S/E).

The route is easy and mostly shaded.

The hamlet of L'Escourat, the Barthasses Cave, Saint-Paul de Mamiac.