Around Lanuéjols via Château du Boy and Chapieu Farm

de fr

Starting from Lanuéjols, with its Gallo-Roman mausoleum and Romanesque church, this route winds its way through the valley and across the Causse de Mende. Along the way, you’ll have the chance to explore the Château du Boy, which belonged to the Barony of Tournel in the 14th century, and the Chapieu farmhouse, typical of the Causse region.

Details

n°2987847
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.08 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,125 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,122 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,698 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,579 ft
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

Saint-Pierre Church in Lanuéjols
View of Lanuéjols
Fountain in Lanuéjols
Chapieu Farm

Description of the walk

The walk starts near the Roman mausoleum in Lanuéjols.

(S/E) Turn onto the village’s main street (Mausoleum route – yellow markings) and follow it.

(1) Pass the magnificent Romanesque church on your left and continue along the street opposite. At the next junction, at the corner of the house, turn right.

(2) Cross the D41 to follow the path that opens up in front of you. Follow this path, ignoring a turn-off to the right, cross a small stream and reach a fork in the road at a left-hand bend.

(3) Carry on along the main path and quickly cross the Ruisseau de la Pradre. Continue until you come to a tarmac road.

(4) Then head straight on towards the hamlet of Finiols. At the cross, follow the road to the right and walk through the hamlet.

(5) At the next crossroads, turn right onto the tarmac road.

(6) At the crossroads, turn right and walk past the centre of the Château du Boy. Cross the bridge over the Nize and head back up to the D41.

(7) Turn right and follow this road towards Les Terres Bleues.

(8) At the end of the straight stretch, take the path on the left to begin the climb towards the Causse de Mende. Pass under a power line and continue along this path, which turns right as it passes under the power line again.

(9) At the cross, stay on the track and continue your ascent via a series of hairpin bends to reach the Ferme de Chapieu.

(10) Leave this Causse-style farmhouse on your right (private property!) and carry on along the track.

(11) At the junction, turn sharply right straight away and follow the track that opens up ahead of you.

(12) At the next junction, head diagonally to the right, still following the main track as it enters the pine woods and then runs alongside large fields.

(13) At the three-way junction, take the path on the right which descends towards Lanuéjols with a fairly steep gradient. Enjoy the view before you. You’ll arrive at the town hall and the church.

(1) Turn right and make your way back to your starting point by crossing the village once more (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,749 ft - Mausoleum car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.08 - alt. 2,779 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 0.14 - alt. 2,756 ft - Crossing the D41
  4. 3 : mi 0.55 - alt. 2,664 ft - Junction, turn right
  5. 4 : mi 0.78 - alt. 2,667 ft - Crossing the road
  6. 5 : mi 1.05 - alt. 2,694 ft - The hamlet of Finiols
  7. 6 : mi 1.33 - alt. 2,585 ft - Turn right at the fork – cross the - Nize (rivière)
  8. 7 : mi 1.61 - alt. 2,631 ft - Turn right onto the D41
  9. 8 : mi 1.83 - alt. 2,677 ft - Turn left onto the forest track
  10. 9 : mi 2.71 - alt. 2,956 ft - Turn left at the cross
  11. 10 : mi 4.09 - alt. 3,356 ft - Chapieu Causse-style farm
  12. 11 : mi 4.65 - alt. 3,445 ft - Turn sharp right
  13. 12 : mi 5.33 - alt. 3,570 ft - Opposite, still on the track
  14. 13 : mi 7.25 - alt. 3,678 ft - Turn right onto the path leading downhill
  15. S/E : mi 9.08 - alt. 2,749 ft - Mausoleum car park

Notes

The walk is relatively long but does not present any particular difficulties.

Make sure you take plenty of water with you, especially in summer.

Please note: Le Château du Boy and the Chapieu farm are private properties; however, this should not stop you from admiring their architecture (the farm is a typical example of Caussenard architecture).

Worth a visit

The village of Lanuéjols (Saint-Pierre Church, Gallo-Roman mausoleum, fountains, etc.).
Le Château du Boy (private property).
Chapieu Farm.
Causse de Mende (airfield).
Lanuéjols Valley.

Reviews and comments

5 / 5
Based on 1 review
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
bddp
bddp

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off on this walk between points 12 and 13 to make the most of an early start in the woods and the chance to spot some wildlife – which we did, seeing a lovely roe deer at very close range. On the descent towards Lanuejols, there was a magnificent view of the Château du Boy at sunrise. A short stop in the village of Lanuejols is a must, with its pretty houses, little church, fountain and, of course, the mausoleum. The Chapieu farm is magnificent; it’s a shame to see it slowly but surely falling into disrepair. The climb up to Chapieu Farm is best done in the morning during the summer months as there’s little shade and it’s quite a long walk (3.7 km), though it’s a gentle climb; and after the farm, the sunny stretch continues for another kilometre.That’s no problem for us – we do all our hikes in the morning, setting off between 6 and 7 am, to enjoy the peace and quiet of the paths, the sunrises, and the animals that pop up at the edge of a wood or cross the path.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Circular route around Étang de Barrandon starting from Brajon

Visorando Member
↔8.36 mi ↗+1,729 ft ↘-1,722 ft ◔5h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lanuéjols (Lozère) (Lozère)
A lovely day’s walk alternating between woodland and meadows in the foothills of Mont Lozère, with some stunning views. Two alternative routes are available to enhance your enjoyment and discovery. Depending on the season, you’ll be treated to the colours of broom in spring and heather in autumn, not to mention the chance to pick blueberries in the height of summer.

Walking The Bramont Gorges, La Fage and Bassy

Visorando Member
Les Gorges du Bramont, la Fage et Bassy
↔5.66 mi ↗+1,122 ft ↘-1,102 ft ◔3h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Étienne-du-Valdonnez (Lozère)
An alternative route to walkno. 2842225:the Bramont Gorges and the hamlet of La Borie. Explore the Bramont Gorges starting from Saint-Étienne-du-Valdonnez, passing through the hamlet of La Fage and returning via Bassy. Most of the route runs through woodland. Beautiful views over the Cham des Bondons, the Echino d’Aze and one of the puechs, as well as the Truc de Balduc.

Walking Bramont Gorges and the hamlet of La Borie

Visorando Member
Gorges du Bramont et hameau de la Borie
↔7.99 mi ↗+1,306 ft ↘-1,283 ft ◔4h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Étienne-du-Valdonnez (Lozère)
Walk up the Bramont Gorges and explore a magnificent and picturesque area with its steep cliffs and turbulent river. This unusual landscape offers a pleasant cool spot in summer. Pass through the small village of drystone shelter, with its typical Causse houses, located in the foothills of the Mont Lozère massif.

Walking Montialoux Castle as seen from Rouffiac

Visorando Member
Château de Montialoux depuis Rouffiac
↔3.58 mi ↗+1,093 ft ↘-1,070 ft ◔2h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Bauzile (Lozère) (Lozère)
A walk to explore the ruins of Montialoux Castle through the Mende State Forest. The castle is situated in the commune of Saint-Bauzile, in Lozère, right in the heart of the Valdonnez valley, in the former province of Gévaudan. Please note: this short walk involves a significant elevation gain.

Walking The circular Antennes Loop starting from Molines

Visorando Member
↔7.38 mi ↗+1,119 ft ↘-1,115 ft ◔4h 20 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Étienne-du-Valdonnez (Lozère)
This is a circular trail, mainly through woodland, situated at the eastern end of the Causse de Sauveterre. In an area where there are still few walking routes, it offers beautiful views of the Truc de Balduc, Varazoux, Saint-Étienne-du-Valdonnez, the Bramont State Forest, and, further afield, the Plateau du Roi, dominated by the Truc de Fortunio (Margeride).

Walking Clocher de Tourmente: from the hamlet of Les Sagnes to the Étang de Barandon

Visorando Member
Clocher de Tourmente : du hameau des Sagnes à l'Étang de Barandon
↔8.80 mi ↗+1,017 ft ↘-1,014 ft ◔4h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Julien-du-Tournel (Lozère)
Route starting from the Clocher de Tourmente in the hamlet of Les Sagnes. Hike in the Cévennes National Park. Former Étang du Peschio, Croix de Maitre Vidal, panoramic view of the Monts Lozère, Étang de Barrandon.

Walking Clochers de Tourmente circular route starting from Les Sagnes

Visorando Member
Boucle des Clochers de Tourmente au départ des Sagnes
↔5.39 mi ↗+1,047 ft ↘-1,050 ft ◔3h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Julien-du-Tournel (Lozère)
A circular route starting from Les Sagnes, passing through the hamlet of Auriac, across meadows and through woods.You can also see the two Clochers de Tourmente and, in the distance, the Château du Tournel.

Walking Les Fonts - Rouffiac

Visorando Member
↔5.37 mi ↗+1,414 ft ↘-1,411 ft ◔3h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Saint-Bauzile (Lozère) (Lozère)
In the commune of Saint-Bauzile, a walk that takes you from one side of the Bramont Valley to the other.See practical information.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.