Route details
Description
This trail is marked in yellow PR type (yellow paint markers + yellow ENS signage plates on wooden posts).
You can of course use the gpx track, the map or the description provided. In addition, you can find explanatory panels produced by the Aveyron Department on the subject of Sensitive Natural Areas all along the route.
Your itinerary
Stage 1: Departure from the Castel mill
From the Castel mill, take the small bridge which crosses the “Le Dassou” stream.
At the first intersection take the path on your left which passes above the football stadium.
On the way you will find a sign introducing you to local orchids.
Continue your path to the center of the village of La Rouquette.
Step 2: Bourg de La Rouquette
When you arrive in the town centre of La Rouquette, the Town Hall is on your left. Continue to walk; the church will be in front of you. This 13th century church recalls the passage of pilgrims on the road to Santiago de Compostela with the shell sculpted on its awning pillar. Turn left, take this street between the Town Hall and the church and cross the bridge over the "L'Assou" stream to continue on your way and discover the built heritage. Contemporary buildings harmoniously sit alongside old buildings such as the castle tower which dominates the centre of the village, a very well-preserved adjoining washhouse.
Step 3: Towards the Côte Folle and the viewpoint over the village of La Rouquette
Leave the washhouse on your left and continue on this street, the source or resurgence will then be on your right. Continue on this same street and at the end turn right. A few meters further, take the path that goes up and goes on your left. This steep and stony path is called the côte folle. After a turn to the right and still on the climb, you can discover on the right a beautiful viewpoint on La Rouquette. Resume the climb with a turn to the left, continue to climb following the trace in the stony path until you find a stone barn at the edge of the path on your right.
Step 4: Walk in the forest and return to the start
At this barn, take the path on the left and continue straight on this path. You will cross woods and see dry stone walls and huts on either side of the path. Be observant! Never take the paths that go off to your right. Walk like this for about 1 km.
The path will start to go down with a first path on your left. It is a shortcut but it is very steep. Do not take it but the one opposite which continues to go down. In spring, you can see orchids. The path continues and turns left. Continue until you reach an intersection with another path. Do not take the one that goes up on the left, take the one that goes down on the right until you reach the crossroads.
At this intersection, do not turn left (towards La Rouquette) but go straight on for 30 metres (towards Calcomier). Before crossing the Assou stream, turn left and follow the stream on its left bank. Join the leisure area, turn right, cross two small bridges. Go back up along the Assou on its right bank, crossing a wetland (wooden footbridges) and reach the car park of the Castel mill and the football stadium which will be on your left.