St Guilhem Path Part 1

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. Arrival in Le Rozier, end of the stay.