From Lacaune to Roc de Montalet via Roc des Écus

From the narrow streets of Lacaune, with its already mountainous atmosphere, the ascent to the summit of Montalet takes place in the hushed atmosphere of magnificent beech forests. The Pic de Montalet peaks at 1259 m. A day of hiking and fresh air to take in the beauty of the landscape. The 360° view of the Massif Central from the Rocher de la Vierge is breathtaking.

Details

n°76042955
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.70 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Average

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,654 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,634 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 4,078 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,575 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park on Place du Général de Gaulle, in front of the town hall.

(S/E) With the town hall on your left, head towards the Fontaine de la Vierge fountain and turn right onto Rue Antoine Cambon. Further on, on the small square on the left, admire the Fontaine des Pisseurs fountain; continue along Avenue du Corps Franc de la Montagne Noire (D607). After the bend and the private car park, turn right into the passageway that leads to the old railway tunnel.

(1) Go through this tunnel, which is about 400 metres long and becomes lit as you go, then immediately turn left onto the paved road that goes uphill, then take thesecond path on the left (large drain cover on the ground).

(2) After the first climb, cross the small road and take the steep path opposite that leads to Roc des Écus.

(3) Admire the view and continue climbing until you reach a wide gravel track.

(4) Turn left, still following the yellow markings for Roc de Montalet. Leave the undergrowth and continue uphill for over 1 km to reach the Plo des Parcs crossroads: if you turn around, you can see the Pyrenees on a clear day.

(5) Turn left, continuing to follow the yellow markings.

(6) Keep left, staying on the track, and continue until you reach a double Y junction just after passing a path on the left, then another on the right.

(7) Turn right and continue to the road: you will see the Virgin of Montalet.

(8) Continue along the road on the left for about 150 m before turning right onto the path that climbs up to the Roc and the Virgin: yellow Montalet signpost.

(9) At Roc du Montalet and the statue of the Virgin Mary, there is an orientation table and a 360° view of the Hautes Terres d'Oc. After taking in the view, turn around and follow the same route back.

(7) Leave the forest track and take the mountain bike trail marked No. 4 on the right. You will follow a beautiful path through a valley, and the entire descent will take place in the undergrowth. You will come to a crossroads.

(10) Leave the mountain bike trail marked No. 4 and continue straight downhill until you reach Chemin des Cabannes.

(11) Turn left and continue in the same direction, ignoring any paths branching off to the left or right. Continue until you reach the first houses in Lacaune, at Rue Rhin et Danube.

(12) Continue left for a few metres, then turn right onto Rue de Peyruc. Continue straight ahead to reach the Place de la Fontaine de la Vierge, then the starting car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,621 ft - Parking - Gijou (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.44 - alt. 2,697 ft - Tunnel entrance - Musée de la filature (Lacaune)
  3. 2 : mi 1.24 - alt. 3,045 ft - Route
  4. 3 : mi 1.77 - alt. 3,514 ft - Roc des Écus - Roc des Écus
  5. 4 : mi 2.25 - alt. 3,530 ft - Track
  6. 5 : mi 3.36 - alt. 3,783 ft - Plo des Parcs
  7. 6 : mi 4.06 - alt. 3,717 ft - Fork in the road, turn left
  8. 7 : mi 4.56 - alt. 3,816 ft - Crossroads
  9. 8 : mi 5.33 - alt. 3,852 ft - Road junction
  10. 9 : mi 5.8 - alt. 4,078 ft - Roc du Montalet, statue of the Virgin Mary - Roc du Montalet, 1259 m
  11. 10 : mi 7.94 - alt. 3,212 ft - Leave the mountain bike trail and continue straight ahead
  12. 11 : mi 8.34 - alt. 3,045 ft - Chemin des Cabannes - Gijou (rivière)
  13. 12 : mi 9.49 - alt. 2,648 ft - Rue Rhin et Danube
  14. S/E : mi 9.7 - alt. 2,618 ft - Parking

Notes

Picnic tables near the point (3).

Non-walking guides can join you at point(4) or near point(8) by car.

(2)Please note that the tunnel is open from May to October. Alternative start: at La Vierge, go up Rue de la Murette. Just before the end of the street, turn left onto the Chemin des Castels: PR® du Montalet yellow signpost at the corner of the path. You will find the sloping path to the Roc des Écus, which you should follow to the right to resume the route described.

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

4.7 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
Ahlcool
Ahlcool

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The walk took 4 hours 30 minutes, including breaks. It took us about 3 hours to reach the summit, then 1 hour 30 minutes to come back down (a couple in their fifties, of average fitness).
Most of the route runs through woodland and is quite shaded, which is really lovely when it’s hot. There is, however, a section with quite a bit of forest track, which is a bit less interesting, especially as we came across more vehicles than walkers there...
Reaching the Roc du Montalet is well worth the effort: you’re rewarded with a stunning 360° view.
All in all, a pleasant walk with no particular difficulties, rewarded by a beautiful panoramic view at the summit.

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User 4295695

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A hike that’s very easy going physically (we completed it in 3½ hours), taking in some very pretty beech woods. That said, there are far too many forest tracks – both gravel and earth – which, for our taste, make the hike rather uninteresting.
The view from La Vierge is indeed splendid.
There are plenty of trail running and mountain bike trails, so you can veer off the main path and enjoy a few alternative routes.

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Cegeaure
Cegeaure

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route was a bit of a struggle at the start as we left the forest, then there was a steep climb in the first section up to the Pic de la Vierge, where the view is simply stunning

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peridot
peridot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route with some lovely views.
The tunnel is open

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Laurence81600
Laurence81600

A lovely walk.
We spent a lot of time in the forest, which was lovely as it was warm.
The tunnel was closed at the start because the shutter was faulty, so we had to take a short detour.
At the Roc des Écus, a stunning view over Lacaune.
And at the Roc de Montalet, a 360° view of the Pays des Terres d’Oc. There’s also a lovely orientation board.

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FRANCOISE.DT
FRANCOISE.DT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this lovely route. Please note that the tunnel, which was due to open on 1 April, was closed on 8 May 2026. Furthermore, at the tunnel entrance, a notice from the town hall states that the tunnel opens on 1 May. A word of advice: ring the town hall to make sure the tunnel is actually open.

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Claudio Mas
Claudio Mas

This slightly longer hike was on Visorando, but I can't find it anymore. It continued below the statue of the Virgin Mary on the right side of the road, passing through the village of Les Vidals and returning to Lacaune. But honestly, there's nothing else to see along the way!

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Warrior3
Warrior3

Yes, it was magical... I'm curious to know the details of the long version...

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Claudio Mas
Claudio Mas

It's a pleasure, when you're a bit of a local (married to a Lacaunaise for 40 years), to show other people some beautiful places, places where it's always nice to return!
There was already a similar hike, but it was longer, so I wanted to shorten it and include the tunnel. Did you enjoy going through the tunnel?

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Warrior3
Warrior3

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this beautiful hike. Magnificent landscapes. Lots of shaded areas, which was fortunate because it was very hot.
There were lots of picnic tables along the way.
Wonderful, we'll definitely do it again.

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