Circular route around Combelle via Istournet

Short, shaded walk along the Monastery section of the Briane and heath. Then, walk through Combelles Park with its horses and activities. On leaving, a path will take you to a limestone plateau and finally, the last part towards Istournet and its small lake will guide you to the Banocres plateau, which offers superb views of Rodez and the Aubrac.

Details

7775099
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.37 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 138 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 135 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 636 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 519 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park of the Monastère Town Hall.

(S/E) Turn your back on the Town Hall and head right.

(1) Keep right at the crossroads, cross the D212 at the pedestrian crossing and take the cycle path opposite heading south-east. Walk along the Briane on your left on the footpath, which is also a cycle path. Cross a small bridge then keep left to join the D62.

(2) Cross the D62 and then the small road running parallel to it and follow the heath. Keep right at the first junction, do the same at the second, then make a circular route to climb up to the Domaine de Combelles.

(3) At the building, turn right onto the small road and continue straight ahead at the crossroads. At the cemetery, turn left. At the first crossroads (farm shed), turn left again and join the Causse via a wide path (old drinking trough).

(4) Turn right, keep left at the three-way junction and continue to the civil aviation antenna.

(5) Take the path down to the left, then at the bottom, turn right to reach the Istournet stadium. Cross the D12 at the pedestrian crossing and head opposite towards Sainte-Radegonde. After the pond, take the first street on the left which joins theGR®62(white and red markings).

(6) Turn left to follow thisGR®. Cross a road and continue straight ahead to the crossroads located directly below a power line.

(7) Leave theGR® trail and turn left to reach Banocres, which you will cross by continuing straight ahead. Continue to the pylon.

(8) Take a path on the left, then join a road at a place called Bel Air. Follow the road, going around several hairpin bends.

(9) At the last bend, before the school, leave the road and follow a path on the right that leads to a street and a car park. Walk down the street to Avenue de Millau. Cross at the pedestrian crossing and continue straight ahead.

(1) Turn right to return to the Town Hall car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 521 m - Town hall car park
  2. 1 : km 0.08 - alt. 523 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.4 - alt. 552 m - Route D62
  4. 3 : km 2.5 - alt. 599 m - Domaine de Combelles
  5. 4 : km 4.04 - alt. 622 m - The Causse
  6. 5 : km 4.73 - alt. 628 m - Civil aviation office
  7. 6 : km 5.64 - alt. 588 m - GR® junction
  8. 7 : km 7.14 - alt. 631 m - Abandon GR®
  9. 8 : km 8.14 - alt. 624 m - Pylon
  10. 9 : km 9.14 - alt. 546 m - School
  11. S/E : km 9.37 - alt. 521 m - Town hall car park

Notes

(3) You can eat at the Combelles park (wooden tables) on the other side of the building.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
jipe12
jipe12

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk

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Marie122
Marie122
• Edited:

It’s a lovely walk. However, with all the bad weather we’ve had, the start of the route is very difficult because of the uprooted trees blocking the path for several kilometres. I had to take detours or climb over the trunks. The paths have been washed out by rainwater and there are areas that are still flooded. This is obviously only temporary; we need to give it time to clear up the damage. Towards the last few kilometres, the route runs alongside a very busy road, which isn’t very pleasant – perhaps another route should be found for this section – but overall it’s a lovely walk.

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woillard
woillard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A varied walk through woods and limestone plateaus, with signposts describing the different landscapes – best enjoyed in good weather, of course. Suitable for children who can walk, with plenty of views of horses

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Marie122
Marie122

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route, despite some flooded sections on that particular day. There were no major difficulties apart from these few wet areas. Very diverse landscape with beautiful views. I was able to test sending my location to a friend so she could follow my progress as I was alone that day. I recommend it for a nice afternoon walk.

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KrisVal
KrisVal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk
The path is marked with the number 12 starting from the town hall.

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Véro81
Véro81

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I loved this hike. With magnificent views and no major difficulties. Well-maintained path and, despite the cold, I met several people but not too many.

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Cathy Fonfon
Cathy Fonfon
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very well signposted except on the plateau at level 4, which is not very clear and has no signage. If you pay attention to the description, at a three-way junction, you can find your way. Otherwise, a beautiful hike with lovely views of Rodez.

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2740851
2740851

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The start is very well marked, but once you reach the plateau (holiday camp), several paths intersect without any markings.
We wandered around for 45 minutes looking for the path. Fortunately, we met some walkers who guided us, because, as you indicate in your route, "continue to the aviation antenna"... but we still had to find it... Once past the antenna, the path was well marked again and very pleasant to walk along.

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jmhouss
jmhouss

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The signposting after the plateau leaves a lot to be desired... as does the maintenance of the route...

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Ragondin12
Ragondin12

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

No problem: this route has been mapped out and marked, and is regularly maintained by the French Hiking Federation (Aveyron Committee). It is listed on the Randos du Grand Rodez trail maps available at the Rodez Tourist Office and town halls in the metropolitan area.

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