Croix de Baussels, Usclade Forest as seen from Lamalou-les-Bains

A short walk through the forest, starting from Lamalou-les-Bains. You’ll begin by following the Passapaïs greenway to the small village of Poujol-sur-Orb.
There are a few views of the Caroux mountain as you climb, then the walk continues through the forest, and as you head back down towards Lamalou, you’ll pass through the magnificent Usclade pine forest.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.07 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 928 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 928 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,509 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 577 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is in Lamalou-les-Bains, where there are several car parks available, as well as a bus service from Bédarieux.

(S/E) Follow the main road, Avenue Charcot, southwards, then take Avenue Maréchal Joffre and, finally, Avenue de la Gare, until you reach the Greenway.

(1) After the health centre, turn right onto the Voie Verte and follow it to the village of Poujol-sur-Orb.

(2) Go through the Voie Verte tunnel; 60 metres further on, turn left onto Chemin de la Maisonette and, immediately on the left, look out for a path leading up to the top of the tunnel. Turn left onto Rue de la Clastre and continue along this tarmac road.

(3) Carry on, taking the path on the left, which is still tarmac-surfaced for about 300 metres. Continue the ascent through the forest, where the path becomes a track and is still marked in red and white. You’ll reach the Croix des Baussels, the highest point of the walk.

(4) The path leads to a junction with the D180 departmental road. Cross the road with care. The path leading down is on your right (east), still marked in red and white. A little further down, after crossing the departmental road once more, the descent continues along a wide track.

(5) When you reach a water tank, carry on for about fifty metres along the track, then take a path on the left.

(6) Further down, walk through the Usclade forest, emerge onto a tarmac track, and turn left onto it. Continue downhill along Rue Paul Cere until you reach Avenue Charcot. Turn right onto it, and head for the car park via Impasse du Castellet (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 581 ft - Car park )
  2. 1 : mi 0.67 - alt. 607 ft - Greenway
  3. 2 : mi 1.88 - alt. 607 ft - Le Poujol-sur-Orb
  4. 3 : mi 2.36 - alt. 830 ft - Junction
  5. 4 : mi 3.38 - alt. 1,506 ft - Multi-way junction - Croix des Baussels (457m)
  6. 5 : mi 3.92 - alt. 1,168 ft - Citerne
  7. 6 : mi 4.58 - alt. 863 ft - Usclade Forest
  8. S/E : mi 5.07 - alt. 581 ft - Car park

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

3.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
2.8 / 5
F.Laurent
F.Laurent

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Hello
We went on another hike that follows the same route as this hike from Croix de Baussel to Lamalou.
Unfortunately, since Storm Nils, the path has been impassable due to fallen trees over at least 1 km from the cross.
We will have to wait for the foresters to clear the path before we can do it again.
F. Laurent

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PALACIO
PALACIO

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

No interest in this hike. There are better options in the surrounding area.
Unless you like tarmac and cycle paths. The only thing worth seeing and worth the detour is the church of Saint Pierre de Rhedes (Romanesque priory), just below the greenway.
You can start this route from there. There is a car park, so you can avoid the streets of Lamalou. The car park is located on the Poujol sur Orb road, near the Lamalou cemetery.

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Fredtrek
Fredtrek

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. Best done in the opposite direction if it’s hot.

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Fernandez Benjamin
Fernandez Benjamin

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Not a route to take with a dog. Between the town and the cycle path, it's very dangerous.
There are a few interesting sections, but overall it's not really our kind of route.
If you have to choose, head for Le Caroux or L'Espinouse.
Thank you! Enjoy your walks.

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