Circular of Paros

Starting from the small village of Paros (no, don't dream, it's not the Cyclades!) above Molines (commune of Ispagnac) in Lozère, this is a beautiful hike with views of the Tarn in the first part, then of the Causse du Sauveterre.

Details

34957512
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.46 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,175 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,181 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,360 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,234 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

From Florac Trois Rivières, take the N106 then the D907b towards Ispagnac. Take the D31 then, from the viewpoint, turn left towards Paros. Park in the small car park at the bottom of the village near the stream.

(S/E) Walk back down the road for 100 metres and turn right at the first intersection. You will come to a crossroads.

(1) Turn immediately left onto the shaded path that descends towards Molines for about 2 km. You will come to an intersection.

(2) Take the path on the right that climbs back up towards the Causse. Continue to the remarkable viewpoint over the village of Quézac and its 14th-century bridge, as well as the Tarn valley at Ispagnac.

(3) Continue past the viewpoint. At each crossroads, take the path that climbs uphill. The slope can be steep for 1,200 metres until you reach the Mas André road.

(4) Turn left onto the road, then leave it 300 m further on, on the left in the right-hand bend, to reach Mas André via a track.

(5) Turn right onto the road, then right again onto a track: leave theGRP® for the PR®. After climbing for about 900 m, you will reach a crossroads.

(6) Turn right towards Mont Chabrié. Keep going for 2.5 km to reach the next crossroads.

(7) Turn slightly left uphill to reach the highest point of the hike. Then turn left onto the track for 300 m until you reach the next track on the right.

(8) Take this track (Chemin de la Drovers' Road). At the next crossroads, turn left. The path descends towards Paros for a good kilometre.

(9) In the village, turn right, then left twice before taking the small downhill lane and crossing the intersection from the outward journey.

(1) Continue straight ahead and return to your vehicle (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,874 ft - Car park below Paros.
  2. 1 : mi 0.09 - alt. 2,838 ft - Path towards Molines
  3. 2 : mi 1.48 - alt. 2,234 ft - GRP junction
  4. 3 : mi 1.73 - alt. 2,402 ft - Viewpoint over Quézac
  5. 4 : mi 2.63 - alt. 3,012 ft - Route du Mas André
  6. 5 : mi 2.99 - alt. 3,038 ft - Le Mas André
  7. 6 : mi 3.41 - alt. 3,199 ft - Fork
  8. 7 : mi 4.86 - alt. 3,310 ft - Mont Chabrié
  9. 8 : mi 5.37 - alt. 3,360 ft - La Drovers' Road
  10. 9 : mi 6.15 - alt. 2,986 ft - Paros
  11. S/E : mi 6.46 - alt. 2,874 ft - Car park below Paros.

Notes

The path is sometimes narrow and stony, requiring good footwear.
No particular difficulty.

Worth a visit

(3) View of the Tarn valley, which widens considerably at Ispagnac, over Quézac, its Romanesque church and its bridge.

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 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
katia.madier
katia.madier
• Edited:

Overall rating : 2.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Hello, I was very disappointed with this walk, which has nothing of interest to offer apart from the view of Quezac at the start of the route. There are lots of stones at the beginning of the descent, and you reach the Causse after a long climb. There is very little signposting, if any at all; I recommend using Visorando to follow the route. The landscape on the Causse is monotonous; I wouldn’t recommend this walk.

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mixelB
mixelB

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

second part on the Causse de Sauveterre more interesting

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User 6776240

the trailhead junction does not exist or no longer exists

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mixelB
mixelB

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, especially the second part on the Causse plateau: vast landscapes under clear skies with a pleasant breeze.

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les MM's
les MM's

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent landscape, vast expanses of meadows and fields, with lots of horse parks. It's a shame (1 star less) that you have to stay on wide paths used by hunters in 4x4s, never on single tracks. Could be suitable for mountain bikes or even hybrid bikes.

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gbg
gbg

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy hike. A slightly noisy section due to the road below leading to Ispagnac. But it doesn't last very long.

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Fontenotte
Fontenotte

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Interesting contrast between the two halves of the hike

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bazin83
bazin83

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike

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saturninos
saturninos

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk with a very shady climb
Beautiful scenery on the Causse
Good footwear is essential given the stony paths

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Patnad
Patnad

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

In my opinion, the route should be rated average++. The ground is mostly rocky, which makes it difficult, especially on the downhill sections. Otherwise, it was good.

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Jean-Michel Rando
Jean-Michel Rando

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Route completed in 3 hours with a 30-minute break, without any particular effort.
View of Quezac, beautiful scenery.

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