Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert Way

From Aumont-Aubrac (Lozere) to Saint Guilhem-le-Desert (Herault)

Starting from Peyre-en-Aubrac (Aumont-Aubrac), the route immerses you in the vast granite landscape of the Aubrac plateau, passing through Nasbinals and its Romanesque churches before descending into the Lot Valley at La Canourgue, the "Little Venice of Lozère." The journey continues across the Grands Causses, crossing the medieval village of Sainte-Enimie nestled in the Tarn Gorges, before climbing towards the Aigoual massif and Meyrueis. The landscape alternates between limestone steppes and dense beech forests around Saint-Sauveur-Camprieu. Descending towards Le Vigan, the climate becomes more southern, marked by chestnut terraces and Cévennes architecture. At the Cirque de Navacelles, the Vis River has carved a spectacular meander through the limestone of the Larzac plateau. After the La Vacquerie plateau, the trail ends with the mystical descent towards the abbey of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, a jewel of Languedocian Romanesque art.

The Way of Saint Guilhem, linking Aumont-Aubrac (Peyre-en-Aubrac) to Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, is an ancient transhumance and pilgrimage route that traverses an extraordinary variety of landscapes. The journey begins on the high granite plateaus of the Aubrac, characterized by their vast pastures, before descending into the mineral and karst landscape of the Grands Causses. The landscape is marked by this spectacular transition, passing from high-altitude beech forests to the deep gorges of the Tarn, then to the Mediterranean garrigue of the Hérault. The history of this route is that of shepherds and their flocks, as well as pilgrims traveling to the monastery of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. The fauna is dominated by vultures reintroduced to the Causses and livestock species, while the flora ranges from the gentians of the Aubrac to plants adapted to the drought of the South.

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Hiking on the Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert Way 1

Hiking on the Saint Guilhem Way 2

Hiking on the Saint Guilhem Way 3

Distance: 250km, Elevation maximum: 1409m, Elevation minimum: 102m, Elevation gain uphill: 6282m

Hiking on the Saint Guilhem Way Map Nearby paths:
Urban V Way
Around Monts Aubrac (Lozère-Aveyron-Cantal)
Around Causse Sauveterre (Lozère-Aveyron)
Around Causse Méjean (Lozère)
Tour of the Viganais Region (Gard)
Tour of Southern Larzac (Hérault-Gard)
Tour in the Grand Pic St-Loup. From the Séranne to the Hérault gorges
Tour in the Grand Pic St-Loup. From Londres to the Buèges (Hérault)
GR®6 From Gironde to Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
GR®7 From Vosges to Pyrenees
GR®60 From Signal de Mailhebiau (Lozere-Aveyron) to St Mathieu-de-Treviers (Herault)
GR®62 From Conques (Aveyron) to Roque-Rouge (Gard)
GR®62A From Combescure Ravine (Aveyron) to Meyrueis (Lozere)
GR®65 Via Podiensis Camino de Santiago de Compostela
GR®66 Around Mt Aigoual (Cevennes National Park)
GR®71 From L'Esperou (Gard) to Lodeve (Herault)
GR®74 From St Maurice-Navacelles to Jouquet (Herault)
GR®653 Via Tolosana - Way of Arles
GR®670 Urbain V Way
GR®736 Tarn Valley and Gorges

It is advisable to follow the beacons all along your hike and to bring you the FFRandonnee topo-guide. You will also find information on MonGR.fr.

GR®, PR®, GRP®, and the corresponding signs of markings (white / red, yellow and yellow / red) are trademarks of the French Federation of Hiking. They may not be reproduced without permission. The French Federation of Hiking, state-approved, includes organizations that create and maintain hiking routes on GR®, PR® and GRP®. It publishes guides these topo hiking routes. With your donations, support the actions of the thousands of volunteer markers of the FFRandonnee.

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Former holiday hotel with a garden along the Allier, L'Etoile Guest House is located in La Bastide-Puylaurent between Lozere, Ardeche, and the Cevennes in the mountains of Southern France. At the crossroads of GR®7, GR®70 Stevenson Path, GR®72, GR®700 Regordane Way, GR®470 Allier River springs and gorges, GRP® Cevenol, Ardechoise Mountains, Margeride. Numerous loop trails for hiking and one-day biking excursions. Ideal for a relaxing and hiking getaway.