From Lacaune to Roc de Montalet via Roc des Écus

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 the^second 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).

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.