Route des Cabannes in Ambialet

This circular offers a view of the remarkable isthmus of Ambialet, a peninsula that has been classified as a protected site since 1948.
The priory overlooks the circular Tarn and is the end point of the beautiful Way of the Cross, which begins around the Saint-Gilles Chapel, set into the rock.
Some fairly sustained effort will be required at the start, but then the route becomes varied, alternating between bucolic landscapes and woodland paths. Finally, a long stretch along the banks of the Tarn itself will provide a welcome opportunity to cool off.

Details

58206914
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.30 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 283 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 290 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 433 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 188 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park on the edge of the D172, located almost opposite the Relais de la Vallée restaurant.
This route is partly marked in yellow and partly in red and white by the GR®36.
Another possible starting point, to warm up before the initial climb, is La Condomine.
See details in the Practical Information section.

GR®36 red and white markings and yellow markings

(S/E) Opposite the Relais de la Vallée, turn right to reach the start of the trail. Walk very carefully along the road and pass the speed bump about ten metres ahead. At the sign for "Point de vue et ruines du château Saint-Raphaël" (viewpoint and ruins of Saint-Raphaël Castle), cross the D172 even more carefully. Begin the long and steep climb.

(1) At the large schist rocks, turn around to enjoy the view of the valley, the village and its isthmus. The peninsula is dominated by the priory, visible in the distance. Continue and climb up to the wide white track in front of the antenna service road.

(2) Turn right and head for the Col du Caufour, 393 m.

(3) Pass a huge concrete cross on your left and take the grassy track. The path leads to an old, almost abandoned farm, La Canague.
After passing the farm, the track continues along a road and reaches a crossroads near a wrought iron cross.

(4) Turn right before the cross and continue for about 100 metres.

Yellow markings

(5) Leave theGR®36temporarily by turning left towards the entrance to Les Cabannes.

(6) Turn immediately right at the signpost. Walk along the farm's vegetable garden. Go through a gate, then turn left into the meadow. Go through a second gate and turn left.
The narrow path widens further on, then narrows again. The long descent is sometimes steep. You will arrive in front of the Cantemerle service road.

(7) Continue on to reach Pounis and rejoin theGR®36.

GR®36 red and white markings and yellow markings

(8) Continue to the Route de d'Oubièges.

Yellow markings

(9) Leave theGR® by turning left. Near the junction with the D172, keep to the right. Pass the recycling containers on your left and stop at the corner of Rue du Riou Dal Bosc.

(10) Turn left and go through the tunnel under the D172. Follow Rue de la Heath to the right and go to the end of the street, in front of a large grassy area near the D172.

(11) Turn onto the grassy path to approach the river and follow it. It is a dirt path composed of pebbles and various roots, which are more or less invasive. The path varies in slope and altitude, rising at the end. A few steps and cables are a great help in reaching the D172. Head left to find the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 205 m - Parking on the side of the D172 - Tarn (rivère)
  2. 1 : km 0.73 - alt. 379 m - Puech du Point de Vue (Ambialet)
  3. 2 : km 0.91 - alt. 413 m - Turn right at the fork.
  4. 3 : km 1.65 - alt. 356 m - Col du Caufour
  5. 4 : km 3.07 - alt. 428 m - Turn right at the fork.
  6. 5 : km 3.22 - alt. 429 m - Turn left at the fork and leave the GR36.
  7. 6 : km 3.37 - alt. 424 m - Turn right at the signpost.
  8. 7 : km 4.34 - alt. 285 m - Cantemerle
  9. 8 : km 4.8 - alt. 251 m - Pounis
  10. 9 : km 5.45 - alt. 206 m - Turn left at the fork and head towards the D172.
  11. 10 : km 5.72 - alt. 196 m - Turn left at the junction onto Rue du Riou Dal Bosc.
  12. 11 : km 6.55 - alt. 198 m - Turn left and descend towards the Tarn.
  13. S/E : km 7.3 - alt. 205 m - Parking on the side of the D172

Notes

Water point and toilets at La Condomine.
Picnic tables in the village and at La Condomine (barbecue).
Restaurants.
A café-bar in the heart of the village is open almost all year round and serves meals and snacks.
A brand new organic grocery store has opened on the hillside, near the Church of Notre-Dame de la Capelle.

This circular is proposed in the opposite direction to that shown on a Rando Tarn map.
Pay attention to the yellow markings at several junctions, where you must turn at the exact spot indicated by the markings.
It is best to make the climb at the start, especially when the paths and rocks are wet.
The return journey along the Tarn is safer.

Avoid this route after long periods of rain or during winter.
(11) The path along the Tarn may be impassable (check before setting off).
(1) The schist rocks and wet paths are accident-prone.
Although classified as easy, this route requires a good level of fitness due to the significant ascents and descents.

Alternative starting point to warm up before the big climb at (S/E)
Park next to the Salle Polyvalente de la Condomine, Route de la Vallée, opposite point (11).
Start the route at this point (11) and head towards Ambialet until you reach (S/E).
Follow the route described to the point (10).
Ignore the tunnel and keep to the right, following Rue du Riou del Bosc until you reach the car park.

Worth a visit

Ambialet Priory and its Way of the Cross.
Saint-Michel Church in Ambialet.
Canoeing and camping.

Various exhibitions, only in summer, in the Saint-Gilles Chapel.

Every last weekend in June, the "Presqu'île Blues Festival" takes place.
This is a lively jazz festival that is very popular in the region.

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
hc31
hc31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Magnificent view of the Ambialet Isthmus.
I think it's better to walk in the direction of the hike (up from Ambialet to the viewpoint) rather than the other way around (very steep and probably very slippery when it rains).
The return trip along the banks of the Tarn avoids having to walk along a busy road with no hard shoulder. However, after a period of heavy rain, it is best to check with the tourist office or town hall to make sure that the banks of the Tarn are passable.

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Pierre  Visorandonneur
Pierre Visorandonneur

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

the proposed direction of this route is perfect and makes it easier to reach the finish line.

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Huba07
Huba07

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The main attraction of the trail is the panoramic view of the Ambialet peninsula and the Tarn loop. Much of it is wooded with limited visibility, and the section along the Tarn can be difficult at times, requiring you to watch your step.
In mid-September, the sky was cloudy, but in summer it must be pleasant, especially if you start at the beginning of the trail rather than with the climb.

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madydou
madydou ★

Great idea!
Enjoy your holidays!

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User 11850525

Thanks for the info. I should have mentioned that we added about 2 km to this circuit by taking the path that starts next to the Café De La Presqu île to the Prieuré Notre-Dame de L'Oder, returning by the same path. It's well worth the visit, both for the chapel and the views from its terraces.

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madydou
madydou ★
• Edited:

Hi user 11850525,
Thanks for your feedback.
Great if you enjoyed this nice hike.
You could have had some water near the point (11) on the other side of the road.

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User 11850525
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I did this hike in June 2025 on a dry and hot day, but in the reverse direction starting towards Château Saint-Raphaël, to avoid the steep and technical descent that the normal direction creates. I also took Rue de Roquetalliade on my return to Ambialet to visit the Eglise Notre-Dame de la Capelle - which avoids the tunnel on the D74 for which there is no pedestrian passage. I would recommend both of these changes to the circuit. There are no real difficulties, mostly off-road, with a large part in wooded areas. There are some lovely panoramic views of the village, the River Tarn and the surrounding countryside from several different points on the circuit. There are no water refill points on the route, so take plenty with you.

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TITIVERO81
TITIVERO81

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

We decided to tackle it via the Saint Raphaël climb and we didn't regret our choice. If we do it again, we'll take the same route.
The view is well worth the effort!
However, the wooden signpost at Pounis was on the ground, which meant we descended too early towards the main road. Fortunately, a charming local resident put us back on the right track. It was impossible for us to put the signpost back in place without tools. Everything else was perfect.

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Thek973
Thek973

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike is very pleasant, surrounded by nature around the beautiful village of Ambialet.
This hike is offered starting from the other side at the tourist office, i.e. starting by walking along the Tarn?
We preferred the Visorando version, starting from St Raphaël with its magnificent view ;-) But we have to admit that the first kilometre was steep... A nice climb, ideal for strong calves, hihihihihi Don't hesitate if you enjoy hiking in the great outdoors.

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madydou
madydou ★
• Edited:

Thank you for your feedback.
I offer this route and another one in the opposite direction.
In wet weather, it is preferable to climb towards St Raphaël and then follow a more pleasant descent further on.
Enjoy your walks.

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guiligan
guiligan

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello.
It seems that many people do this route in the opposite direction to the description.
But I prefer to do it in the suggested direction because the climb at the beginning can be slippery in wet weather and dangerous on the way down.
Once you've passed it, it's almost all gentle downhill, so you can enjoy the scenery.

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madydou
madydou ★

Hello,
Thank you for your feedback.
I did this route again last week from La Condamine, which has certain advantages.
I will add this to the practical information.
Enjoy your hikes.
Kind regards.

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bergpaden
bergpaden

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk, not difficult, with splendid views of the Ambialet peninsula.

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