Foot path of Cayla
1 - SOME DIRECTIONS
Departure Point: Martrin - the village square
Average duration : 4,30 to 5 hours
Distance: 14 Km
Map: I.G.N. West N° 2441 - 2442 West
Connection: At the junction with the crucifix of Amandier you arrive at the ridge of the plateau of Rayrolles, direction Coupiac.
 
2 - ROUTE DESCRIPTION
On the village square take the road that leads between two houses direction of the big crucifix. Arriving above the stadium go to the small parcelled out terrain. At the workshop of the black smith go left direction of the plateau of Martrin dominating the village. Left on the road over the mountain ridge. Straight ahead until the road between Coupiac and Martrin.
At the junction you can see the crucifix of Amandier on your left. Follow the asphalt road leading you to a sand path. This path leads straight down from the plateau. Left down beside the path lies the walls road leading to the hamlet of Monteillet.
Pass the hamlet by taking the path bordered with thicket (with crucifixes at the beginning of the path. Behind the church of St Exupère you return at the road and turn left to the bridge.
Here you have 2 possibilities:
" With low water do not cross the bridge, but follow a small trail of 500 meters then right direction Pouillé. Cross the hamlet and follow the trail for about 1 km. After walking over a lawn alongside the stream, you can ford the river and reach the D10.
" With high water (or when you're afraid to get your feet wet), cross the bridge and follow the road on the left side.
You arrive at Cayla and continue the road to the left. In Cayla you follow the alley direction church. In front of the church go left up to the asphalt road then to the right up to a barn. There take the sandy path to the left. After that straight ahead until crossing a brooklet, which ripples to the right and forms small water falls. Farther you cross a street that changes to a small path at the right side. Follow this path up to the fields.
Left, then left again en you pass the farm of Livignac and a bit further the sheep pen on the left. Behind the woods continue your journey between 2 cultivated fields. Then on your left take the sandy path up to the asphalt road. At the big chestnut tree at your right you go direction Martrin up to the T junction of Parenques. At Parenques you go behind the buildings and take the path direction Martrin. It follows the Théron. Cross the road and discover the alleys of Martrin leading to the village square with the 2 big plane trees.
 
3 - HISTORY AND NICE TO KNOW
Don't miss:
- The church of St Exupère (15th century)
- The church of St Michel de Castor (15th century)
- The old "feodul hill": Castelas, probably the remains of the lost castle (5th century)
- Le Cayla: remains of fortifications, old mansions, a Roman church (5th century)

In the neighborhood: The chapel of St.Clement: direction Farret-St Juéry, about 50 meters behind Bourdique

 
IN THE FOOT MARKS OF PILGRIMAGES:
The south of Aveyron is rich of the remains of the very first people, who had their roots more then 40.000 years ago. The shiny polished stone axes, of which several found in Martrin, are the starting points of this journey.
You leave Martrin and her plateau and descend to Monteillet; the surrounding are a pleasure for the eye.
You continue your descend down to St.Exupère, of which its church is a place of pilgrimage for a long time.
If you ascend again you'll see the church of St. Michel de Castor (jadis de Caistort 15th century). The crucifix dating from the 16th century is decorated with statues of St Pierre, St Michel and Ste - Madeleine. The doors of the church are witnesses of the inventory of 1906. It is also a pilgrimage place.
The picturesque little village Cayla build on top of a rocky offshoot, rules the valley of Gos from above with its remains of the fortress, its ancient houses, its blooming alleys and " caladées ". These are enormous flag stones used on the floors of some sheep dens and as street bricks in the alleys, like here. Its restored Roman church was a dependence of the Commanderie de Martrin. The nave of the church and the bell tower were restored in the 17th century.
 

HOMEPAGE

1 - Brasc
2 - La Bastide
3 - Vérouls
4 - La Capelle de la Mole
5 - Farret 
6 - Jouvayrac
7 - Cayla
8 - La Marquié
9 - Saint-Igest
10 - Suc d'Armont
11 - Saint-Laurent
12 - Saint-Juéry