The Complete Route of St Guilhem

You arrive in the afternoon at Aumont-Aubrac, capital of the Aubrac Iozérien. Take the opportunity to visit the village and stroll through the streets, before heading to your accommodation. Learn about the infamous Beast of Gévaudan, who terrorised the region in 1764, and see the statue dedicated to the famous rural legend in the village square.

Night in Aumont-Aubrac.

This first stage, shared by the Chemin de Compostelle, starts with you leaving Aumont-Aubrac in the direction of Nasbinals. Cross through the villages of La-Chaze-de-Peyre and Lasbros; the final villages before you reach the solitude and open spaces of Aubrac. Next, follow the tracks used by livestock to cross the heart of this region, and wide open pastures dotted with ‘burons’ - shepherds’ shelters. After a beautiful climb, you reach the Roc des Loups at 1261m, before descending  back down into Rieutort-d’Aubrac. You then arrive in Nasbinals, where you can visit the Roman church, which is built in brown basalt and with a schist roof. Night in Nasbinals.
 

Welcome to Aveyron! A few kilometres after your departure from Nasbinals, you leave the department of Lozère, head into Aveyron, and continue your journey towards the hamlet of Aubrac. This portion of the route crossing the mountain was particularly dangerous for the pilgrims travelling to Compostelle; especially cold and infested with wolves and bandits. A hospice for pilgrims was founded in Aubrac in 1120 by the monks of the Domerie. Only the church and tower with the ‘bell of the lost’, which would ring for the pilgrims lost in the Aubrac, remains today. Finally, you descend towards St Chély d’Aubrac.
 

Passing by Les Enfrux and the Roc de Campuels, you cross over the high plateaus of Aubrac under the gaze of its highest point; the Signal de Maihebiau at 1469m. Then, via a beautiful forest, you arrive at the Col de Trébatut. Night at Trébatut. 
 

A relatively short and downhill stage where you follow legendary migratory routes, which have transported thousands of people over the years. Leave Aubrac through the forest and cross the River Lot, after passing by St Germain du Teil. You then arrive in La Canourgue, the « Lozérienne Venice ». Night in La Canourgue.

Starting from La Canourgue, you follow the GR6 towards the Causse de Sauveterre, gaining a little altitude on the way. The hike takes you across the Causse, through small woods and virtually deserted expanses, before arriving in Saint Georges de Lévéjac. From here you overlook the magnificent Tarn Gorges, into which you will descend to reach your stop for the night. 

Night in Vignes. 
 

The vast majority of this stage follows the River Tarn. Offering you a sublime view over the gorges, and without physical difficulty, the first part of this stage is really pleasant. Once you arrive in Rozier, the itinerary takes you up high, still following the GR6, to reach the famous Causse Méjean and the hamlet of La Viale.
There is a beautiful variation of the route via the Vase de Sévre and the Vase de Chine, with magnificent views over the Gorges de la Jonte (+100m altitude).

Night in La Viale. 
 

Continuing on the Causse Méjean, you pass through the small villages of St Pierre des Tripiers and Hyelzas, before you come across the Aven Armand, an immense underground cave. You then finish your crossing of the Causse Méjean before descending into the Gorges de la Jonte to finish your stage in Meyrueis.

Night in Meyrueis.
 

Passing first by Camprieu and the Col de la Pierre Plantée, you then cross the Vallée du Bonheur (Valley of Happiness) through woodland undergrowth and climb up towards the Col de la Serreyrède. You are then in the foothills of Mont Aigoual.
From this col, a descent transports you to L’Espérou, where you finish the stage.

Night in L’Espérou.

Lots of forests on the programme today! From L’Espérou, you take on the Col de la Broue and the Col de la Sablière before a long descent along a path called “La Draille du Languedoc”, an ancient transhumance route. You cross the medieval village of Aulas, in the valley, before quickly arriving in Vigan, where you will immediately sense that we have reached the South!

Night in Vigan.
 

After the undergrowth of the day before, you now climb up onto the Causse de Blandas, where you will discover remnants dating back to the Palaeolithic era (menhirs, dolmens). You then rejoin the open desert landscapes which are so typical of the Cévennes. Having passed through the villages of Montdardier and Blandas, you arrive at a superb panorama, stretching out over the Cirque de Navacelles. The route then takes you down into the Gorges de la Vis, where you finish the stage. 

Night in Navacelles.
 

The start of this stage along the Gorges de la Vis in truly magnificent. You gain a little height to join St Maurice de Navacelles on the Plateau du Larzac. Follow the Plaine de la Barre, before arriving in the village of Vacquerie. 

Night in La Vacquerie.
 

It’s the final stage of your trip. Today, you follow the Tour du Larzac to Mont St Baudille, and reach the Cirque de l’Infernet. You then start your descent towards the magnificent village of St Guilhem le Désert and the completion of your hike along the Route of St Guilhem.

End of trip after the hike.