In the woods of Combetalade

This walk through the woods offers panoramic views of the Lot valley and the villages of Saint-Geniez-d'Olt, Pomayrols and its castle.
In fact, it's the Aveyron as we love it.

Details

465396
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.84 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 451 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 452 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 798 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 437 m

Description of the walk

Park near the La Boissière housing estate, route de la Cascade, in Saint-Geniez-d'Olt.

(S/E) Walk past the La Boissière buildings and take the road that goes around them, towards Bel Horizon. At the first crossroads, turn left and follow the road, which climbs steeply in hairpin bends. When you reach the top, continue straight ahead to a fork in the road before a hairpin bend.

(1) Take the road on the left heading north-east. At the crossroads, leave the Combetalade road on your right. Continue until you reach Mas-Nouvel.

(2) When you see the houses, take the path on the right that climbs steadily through the woods. Walk along a pine plantation on your right and you will reach the Soult spring.

(3) Turn left at a 90° angle, then left again and descend to the hamlet of Cayzac (watch out for barbed wire across the path).

(4) Take the path on the right and you will come to another fork at a road.

(5) Leave the road to Laus on your left and turn right towards Les Gibertes to reach the hamlet.
Cross it from one side to the other and leave it via the road. After the hamlet of Le Serre, you will reach a new crossroads at an elevation of 722 metres.

(6) Take the path on the right that climbs up to the ridge at the foot of Puech d'Aubepeyre.

(7) Turn left, then descend into the woods to Combetalade.

(8) Turn right when you reach the houses, then left. Take the small path that descends to the right to rejoin the road at the initial crossroads.

Follow the same route back to the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 443 m - Surroundings of the La Boissière housing estate
  2. 1 : km 0.65 - alt. 491 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 2.46 - alt. 569 m - Before Mas-Nouvel: trail on the right
  4. 3 : km 3.26 - alt. 681 m - Source captured from Soult
  5. 4 : km 3.91 - alt. 581 m - Cayzac: trail on the right
  6. 5 : km 5.09 - alt. 618 m - Carrefour Gibertes: turn right
  7. 6 : km 6.32 - alt. 725 m - Crossroads at elevation 722: right-hand path
  8. 7 : km 7.83 - alt. 798 m - Under the Puech d'Aubepeyre: on the left
  9. 8 : km 9.32 - alt. 616 m - Combetalade: on the right
  10. S/E : km 10.84 - alt. 442 m - Surroundings of the La Boissière housing estate

Notes

Along the way, you may have to cross fences (or gates). Please take care to close them behind you. They are there to prevent animals from straying into the countryside. This is particularly important near the hamlet of Cayzac.
Equip yourself with:
- hiking boots,
- a water bottle
- a hat
- a windbreaker
- a snack
- Markings: FFRP

Worth a visit

Soult spring: it partially supplies Saint-Geniez-d'Olt.
This is the Aveyron in all its serenity and beauty...

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 12 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Adeavey
Adeavey

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, fairly easy hike with a slight climb at the beginning. The trail is mostly shaded, making it ideal for hot days!

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Bilou53
Bilou53

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We parked the car in the town centre and walked there and back along the banks of the Lot, making for a perfect 14 km hike.
And what's more, the weather was ideal for visiting the town and shopping in the shops of this pleasant little town.

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Man56
Man56

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

In summary, a 7.5 km climb along small asphalt roads with no traffic and wide paths, offering beautiful views
Then descent on a stony but wide path
No difficulty, often in the shade, pleasant walk

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vuagnoux
vuagnoux

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We did the route in the opposite direction. There are now small yellow signs and yellow markings. A path leading down into the woods between 2 and 1 is much more pleasant and passes by the banks of the Lot and the campsite.
The tourist office offers routes, one of which is quite close by.

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brousse
brousse

I will pass on your comments to the O T, thank you...

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ChantalAuvray
ChantalAuvray

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We encountered two problems:

- At point 3, we did not see the hamlet of Cayzac. We probably passed it, but there were no signs indicating its location, so when the instructions say "descend to the hamlet of Cayzac," you already need to know where it is...
- At point 8 in Combetalade, we had difficulty finding the path that goes downhill: when you reach the stable, you have to look for it on the right, hidden in the undergrowth...

There are many roads, but they are not very busy...

Despite these two comments, it was a lovely walk... thank you.

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brousse
brousse

We look forward to seeing you around... The new municipal team plans to equip the Saint Geniez d'Olt and Aubrac hiking trails with directional signs that comply with the PNR (Regional Nature Park) and the French Federation...

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Kasiope
Kasiope

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I couldn't find the right path to the Soult spring. Yet I went there twice.

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brousse
brousse

I hope that the Town Hall's hiking committee will take the necessary steps. I am no longer a member of this committee.
I will forward your comment, and thank you.

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nicoleb34
nicoleb34

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy hike, perfect for summer as there is plenty of shade. The short detour to the rocky outcrop at the end of the hike suggested in previous comments is a great addition to the hike.

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aniskowicz
aniskowicz

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Beautiful hike and superb panoramic views from the ridge, thank you very much.

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henri57
henri57 ★

Hello,

Thank you for taking the time to give your opinion.

Neither Visorando nor the authors are responsible for the signposting. It is often included in the descriptions when present on the ground, but it can disappear, so it is best to rely on the description and the map.

Visorando provides a detailed description (which can be improved) and a 1:25,000 IGN map. And, if signposting is essential for you, Visorando provides virtual signposting: a GPS application.

This tool, offered free of charge by Visorando, allows you to validate waypoints and thus remove any doubts about orientation.

Best regards

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gabouille
gabouille
• Edited:

Addition to my previous comment:
On the way back, between points 7 and 8, you can stop to admire a magnificent view of Saint-Geniez d'Olt.
To do so, before point 8 in Combetalade, take the forest path that climbs to the right (marked in white on the map). After two hairpin bends, finish the climb to the Roncs woods. Opposite is a pasture and just to the left is a metal gate. Open it and continue along the path for about 50 metres. You will find yourself at the top of a rocky outcrop overlooking Saint-Geniez d'Olt. The view is superb! Retrace your steps to the original route and continue downhill to point 8 in Combetalade.

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gabouille
gabouille

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A somewhat challenging start on asphalt with a steep incline. We encountered a problem with the signposting at the Soult spring, but we managed to find our way anyway. A very pleasant return trip through the woods.

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balou17
balou17

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A somewhat challenging hike for a return to activity, but well worth the effort. Very varied in terms of the route and the diversity of tree species.

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