Montialoux Castle as seen from Rouffiac

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.

Details

107653757
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.58 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,093 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,070 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,946 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,329 ft

Description of the walk

Start from the car park at the Rouffiac sports grounds. Yellow-marked walk.

(S/E) Take the path between the two stadiums towards the forest until you reach a junction.

(1) Take the path leading uphill on the left until you reach a hairpin bend.

(2) Take this bend and continue along the path uphill through the forest until you reach a path branching off to the left.

(3) Turn onto this track, which descends to the castle, the ruins of which only come into view at the very last moment.

(4) Turn round and, following the route back in the opposite direction, return to the stadiums’ car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,336 ft - Rouffiac sports ground car park - Bramont (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.24 - alt. 2,579 ft - Junction of paths
  3. 2 : mi 0.56 - alt. 2,595 ft - Hairpin bend
  4. 3 : mi 1.65 - alt. 2,644 ft - Junction of paths
  5. 4 : mi 1.79 - alt. 2,677 ft - Location of the ruined castle
  6. S/E : mi 3.58 - alt. 2,336 ft - Rouffiac sports ground car park

Notes

A yellow-marked walk along a footpath and hiking trail through the Mende State Forest.

In the afternoon, the forest path is in the shade for most of the way.

The walk ends at the top, at the castle, which is situated halfway up the slope and only comes into view during the final few metres of the route.

Worth a visit

On reaching the castle, the view of the Truc de Balduc is magnificent.

Other walks in the area

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.