This suggested route begins at the Domaine du Sauvage, situated between Saugues and Saint-Alban on the Haute-Loire/Lozère border, and ends at the Dômerie d’Aubrac in the Aveyron.
To enable you to explore our beautiful region at length, three junctions are also suggested. This will allow you to switch easily between this route and theGR®65, enabling you to avoid standardised and overcrowded routes.
The following options are available:
the Le Malzieu-Ville / Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnolejunction
Apcher junction / GR®65 at Les Estrets
Termes / Lasbros junction
On the forgotten paths of Saint-Jacques
If you have the soul of a pilgrim and wish to discover the hidden sides of Santiago de Compostela, then this route is for you.
This alternative to the famous route to Santiago de Compostela is divided into four stages, each around twenty kilometres long. You’ll enjoy superb scenery in the heart of the Margeride Mountains and the vast plateaus of the Aubrac, and I’m sure you’ll be surprised by the rich, little-known architectural heritage dedicated to this famous saint.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 56.13 mi -
Average duration: 4 days -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Back to start: No -
Ascent: + 6,099 ft -
Descent: - 6,083 ft -
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Highest point: 4,577 ft -
Lowest point: 2,815 ft
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Country:
France
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City:
Chanaleilles (43170) -
Start: N 44.824542° / E 3.487482° -
End: N 44.622133° / E 2.988122° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Stages of the route
This route needs several days, find the details below:
Notes
Worth a visit
These stages are for guidance only. You are free to cover as many kilometres as suits your fitness level. At each stage, we provide several suggestions for places to eat and/or rest, as well as natural and cultural points of interest to discover.
As there are few accommodation options, it is recommended that you contact the accommodation providers in advance.
Reviews and comments
5 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
5 / 5
bab
Hello,
the route is not circular; it takes walkers off the GR65 at the Domaine du Sauvage and back onto it at the Dômerie d’Aubrac.
If you’d like to do a circular route, you can follow this route and return to the starting point by walking the GR65 in the opposite direction. This will extend your trip by three days but will also allow you to explore our beautiful region in its entirety.
Alternatively, you can use the postal coach service. There is a shuttle service at Le Sauvage (St-Roch Chapel) and in Aubrac. It can take you back to the starting point.
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ben1
Hello, how did you manage to get to ‘Sauvage’ and then back to Sauvage? By train or bus??
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bab
Hello,
I’d like to thank you very much for your feedback. Every piece of feedback is invaluable in helping us to improve certain parts of the route. It’s true that the final stage is a bit long, but Saint-Urcize is definitely worth a stop as it has a rich heritage and the route through the Aubrac is also very unspoilt. Thank you again
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_LéaC_
Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Apr 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
Hello,
Just a quick recap of this hike: I particularly enjoyed the first two stages – the countryside, the paths, the villages, the wildlife (ermins, rabbits, roe deer, squirrels…), the birds… everything was truly beautiful. I made one significant change to the final stage: as I was tired from the previous three, I shortened it by 4 km by going via Nasbinals and the GR 65. I set off from Chazeaux and stopped off at Malzieu-Ville, Fournels and Pont de Gournier. It’s a route with very little traffic, apart from the odd mountain bike and tractor.
Thank you for this lovely journey – I highly recommend it!
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bab
Hello, please do let me know your thoughts and impressions when you get back. There are certainly some sections that could be improved, particularly point 17 in stage 3 and point 2 in stage 4, as you have to cross pastures and this might cause a few problems depending on the season. I hope you have a lovely hike.
Bab
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Other walks in the area
From Le Sauvage to Malzieu-Ville
Visorando Member
12.41 mi
+758 ft
-2,162 ft
6h 20
Moderate
Departure from Chanaleilles (Haute-Loire)
This first 20-km stage invites you to explore the trails of Margeride whilst discovering a rich natural and architectural heritage. You will reach the fortified town of Malzieu-Ville, listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France. Steeped in history, this place was once a stopping point for many pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
The Lajo Peat Bogs Trail
3.00 mi
+551 ft
-551 ft
1h 50
Easy
Departure from Lajo (Lozère)
A lovely, family-friendly and educational walk along well-marked, easy paths. Over a short distance, you can enjoy a wide variety of landscapes: deciduous and coniferous woodland, peat bogs, rocky outcrops, heathland and views out across the plain. Boardwalks allow you to venture deep into the peat bog. Information boards explain the history and biology of the peat bogs and forests, etc. Beautiful trees: the scents of broom, the forest and the heathland… A lovely walk for everyone.
Circular walk from the Croix de Saugues, starting from Thoras
7.01 mi
+787 ft
-781 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Thoras (Haute-Loire)
An easy circular walk in the heart of the countryside with lovely views of Thoras and the Lozère.
The mountains of Mialanes and Les Ducs
6.75 mi
+1,043 ft
-1,030 ft
4h 00
Moderate
Departure from Le Malzieu-Forain (Lozère)
A walk in Margeride, Europe’s largest granite massif, taking in the villages of Mialanes and Les Ducs on the heights of Malzieu-Ville.
Circular route in the Margeride to Saint-Symphorien
8.33 mi
+938 ft
-912 ft
4h 40
Moderate
Departure from Thoras (Haute-Loire)
A walk in the Margeride region starting near Thoras. Beginning in the Haute-Loire, the route crosses into Lozère and climbs up to Saint-Symphorien. A stunning 360° view from the Croix de Saint-Symphorien.
The route passes through typical local hamlets and follows quiet paths offering lovely views of the Margeride.
Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole – Aumont-Aubrac
8.31 mi
+988 ft
-554 ft
4h 40
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Alban-sur-Limagnole (Lozère)
Nineteenth stage of the Way of St James. This final stage in Margeride before crossing the Aubrac is fairly short and allows you to recover from the previous stages by visiting the pretty town of Aumont-Aubrac.
You’ll be walking through a landscape of streams and mountain flora, with magnificent scenery!
La Valette, starting from Prunières
7.40 mi
+833 ft
-820 ft
4h 10
Moderate
Departure from Prunières (Lozère) (Lozère)
Head towards the hamlet of La Valette, situated 3 km from the village of Prunières in a peaceful spot on the banks of the Truyère. A castle once stood here, whose lords were vassals of the barony of Apcher – another village with a rich medieval history, where you can wander through the narrow streets and enjoy a magnificent panoramic view of the whole of the Margeride from the top of the castle keep.
Montchauvet – Notre-Dame de Beaulieu circular loop
6.01 mi
+1,325 ft
-1,339 ft
3h 55
Moderate
Departure from Le Malzieu-Forain (Lozère)
The Margeride is a little-known mountain range home to remarkable landscapes of moorland, meadows and high-altitude forests. Along this route, you’ll first discover the Brassalières mountain pastures, the starting point of this walk, then the panoramic view from the summit of Montchauvet and finally Notre-Dame de Beaulieu, an iconic site situated in the Tombatou Stream valley.
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