Gouffre de l'Oule circular loop

This circular walk starts from Saint-Clair de Margue, a hamlet belonging to Salvagnac-Carjac. On this walk, you will walk along roads without meeting anyone. You will take paths between low walls that mark the boundaries of plots of land. You will see magnificent landscapes on both sides. You will be in the shade most of the time, but also in the sun on other sections. You will discover the Gouffre de l'Oule.

Details

22378545
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.76 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 271 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 275 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 348 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 208 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The walk starts from the car park of the church of Saint-Clair de Margue.

(S/E) With your back to the church entrance, go down the street on the left and follow the road straight ahead. Continue for 200 metres until you reach a path that descends to the right.

(1) Follow the path which leads to a road. Follow the road to the right. Ignore a road on the left and you will arrive at a crossroads (marked by a cross).

(2) Take the road opposite for about 250 metres and turn right onto the path. Follow this path until you reach a road.

(3) Take the road on the left. Follow this road for about 1.2 km. Look carefully at the piles of stones on the right-hand side of the road. When you see stones forming two niches (see photo), continue for 50 m along the road until you reach a path on the left.

(4) Take the path onto the limestone plateau. When the path narrows, look out for a path leading down to the right. This path leads to the entrance to the Gouffre de l'Oule.

(5) Follow the path, which continues along a road leading to Mas de Vivigné.

(6) At the crossroads, turn left onto the road and, at the next junction, take the road on the left that leads to Mas de Treille.

(7) In the hamlet, take the path on the right which leads to a wider path.

(8) Go down this stony path and continue until you reach an intersection with another path.

(9) Turn left and go up the path to the crossroads with a cross.

(2) Turn right and, following the same route as on the way there, return to the church car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 338 m - Car park at Saint-Clair de Margue church
  2. 1 : km 0.2 - alt. 326 m - Chemin de Saint-Clair / road
  3. 2 : km 1.08 - alt. 314 m - Crossroads of the circular loop (cross)
  4. 3 : km 1.81 - alt. 344 m - Road to Les Farguettes
  5. 4 : km 3.01 - alt. 305 m - Chemin du Causse
  6. 5 : km 4.3 - alt. 208 m - Gouffre de l'Oule
  7. 6 : km 6.04 - alt. 327 m - Entrance to Mas de Vivigné
  8. 7 : km 6.57 - alt. 308 m - Mas de Treille
  9. 8 : km 6.9 - alt. 302 m - Carrefour de la Fontaine
  10. 9 : km 8.79 - alt. 248 m - Crossroads
  11. S/E : km 10.76 - alt. 338 m - Car park at Saint-Clair de Margue church

Notes

Good walking shoes are recommended as some of the paths are stony.
The walk is not very long, but some sections of the paths are steep and the walk can be tiring for those who are not used to it.
Remember to bring water when the weather is hot.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Maiko
Maiko

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike in the Causse region along paths and quiet roads.
Pretty stone huts and low walls line the paths. Discover the chasm.
GPS useful.
An easy hike.
I recommend it.
Eliane

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DELBES
DELBES

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route taken on a splendid autumn day (fairly busy for a Sunday).
A walk to be recommended without reservation, but pay close attention to the description (an IGN map or GPS can be very useful). Magnificent paths and trails (very little tarmac on quiet, little-used roads). Typical Causse architecture (very beautiful old buildings, most of which have been very well restored) with numerous caselles and garriottes (stone huts) along the route.
However, it is essential to be well equipped (good shoes and walking sticks are essential as there are stony, slippery sections in wet weather and several small descents and fairly steep "rampallious").

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Bruno33
Bruno33

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Route with alternating surfaces (airfield runway, road, grass, etc.). Must be warm in summer as there are many exposed sections.

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Catherine Du Fayet de la Tour
Catherine Du Fayet de la Tour

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice route, the chasm is impressive.

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sandrinelucas
sandrinelucas

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely afternoon without seeing anyone. Just the sound of my footsteps!
Perfect...

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MNORDIC
MNORDIC

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We opted for another beautiful route: "De pierres et d'eau" (Of Stones and Water) No. 33, starting from Puyjourdes.
It is a wonderful discovery with authentic, unspoilt trails and numerous beautiful cazelles (stone huts) in their original state! It is an absolutely splendid immersion in the Causes Blancs.
Nature is preserved
The Gouffre de l'Oule site is ideal for a lunch break: it's quiet and absolutely perfect!
(NB: it is a resurgence, so it is often dry!)
Good walking shoes are essential.
14km of pleasure, easy for good walkers!
We 🧡🧡the Lot and keep coming back again and again
(NB Thank you for the maintenance and signage: perfect)

We highly recommend it.

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Lulustucru47
Lulustucru47

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hike done in the sunshine... difficult 🤐
The descriptions on Visorando are accurate but sometimes difficult to follow on the ground.
For example, at no. 4, the path actually goes through a field that has recently been mowed, which means you can no longer see it. Luckily, we had the app and the GPS point to follow on the map.
Unfortunately, in July, there is no water in the Oule stream. NB: be careful with young children at the Oule chasm!
The last climb is difficult due to the heat and the stony path.

Best done out of season (in spring to see the water in the stream?).

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