A journey of discovery through the Monts de Lacaune

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In 1798, in the woods of La Bassine, hunters discovered a child of about twelve years of age.
A feral child, to whom François Truffaut would dedicate a film of the same name.

Set off to discover a land of contrasts, immerse yourself in the wilderness as you follow the wanderings of the wild child.
This three-day journey will open up new horizons for a future, more extensive trek along other paths.
You’ll return in awe.

Details

n°1280507
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 29.66 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3 days 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 4,383 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 4,347 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,793 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,185 ft

Photos

Maison de Peyrac
Chemin en sous-bois
Roc du Montalet - 1259 m
Monts de Lacaune

Stages of the route

This route needs several days, find the details below:

  1. S
    Lacaune - La Salvetat-sur-Agout

    Lacaune - La Salvetat-sur-Agout

    ↔11.85 mi ↗1,772 ft ↘2,054 ft
    This is the longest stage of the route, but it presents no particular difficulties.Most of the route runs through the Lacaune National Forest.The Rieufrech Stream will accompany you with its crystal-clear murmur almost all the way along the path.You might want to stop for lunch by the stream, next to a small bridge.
    View the route
  2. 2
    La Salvetat-sur-Agout - La Maison de Payrac

    La Salvetat-sur-Agout - La Maison de Payrac

    ↔8.23 mi ↗1,585 ft ↘899 ft
    This is the most fun-filled day with the summer activities at the Maison de Payrac.Rock carvings, geobiological and floral curiosities line the path.The shores of Lake Laouzas offer lovely spots for a picnic, and its crystal-clear water is perfect for a refreshing dip.
    View the route
  3. E
    La Maison de Peyrac - Lacaune

    The Maison de Peyrac - Lacaune

    ↔9.59 mi ↗1,027 ft ↘1,394 ft
    This final stage takes place, for the most part, in the undergrowth, on wide paths lined with wild strawberries and various fruit bushes.The path winds its way up and down until it reaches the foot of the Roc de Montalet.From there, it is the final descent towards Lacaune.
    View the route

Notes

There are plenty of shops and accommodation options in Lacaune and La Salvetat-sur-Agoût.
It is advisable to make bookings and set specific dates.
This is particularly important for accommodation at the Maison de Payrac refuge, nestled in the woods, in the middle of nowhere.

The Maison de Payrac is only open on Sundays and public holidays in May, June and September.
It is during the summer, in July and August, that the lodge is open every day and is well worth a stay.
A wide range of activities are frequently on offer, such as beekeeping techniques, traditional rope-making, woodworking, and more.
Pick a Wednesday evening – it’s a real party.

The author has completed this route several times, most recently on 10, 11 and 12 July 2018.

Worth a visit

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.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
regarddegerard
regarddegerard
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The park’s forest is remarkable and is managed to the highest standard
The signposting is well-suited to the route, which was perfectly suited to hikers like us

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athmos.oner
athmos.oner
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This trek is ideal for beginners as it’s not at all difficult; there are a few steep climbs, but nothing insurmountable.
In season, it is even possible to find accommodation at each stage. There are water points at the start and end of each stage, so 3 litres a day is more than enough.
A GPS is strongly recommended (or a close study of the map) as you’ll come across numerous yellow ‘X’s, whilst you actually need to continue along these paths.

For my part, I completed the route in 2 days:
- Day 1 from Lacaune to point 6 of Day 2, a total of 26km in 7½ hours (plus a 30-minute lunch break and 1½ hours spent visiting the villages and a short detour to see the Chapelle Saint-Etienne de Cavall)
- Day 2: from point 6 to the end, covering 23 km in 6 hours (including a 1-hour lunch break and an extra hour for sightseeing)

The scenery is stunning; the route passes through beautiful villages and hamlets, the locals are very friendly and love chatting with walkers (I was even invited in for a meal!). Whilst there are perhaps a few too many sections on roads (fortunately with little traffic) and wide tracks, there are still plenty of superb, unspoilt stretches.
Between the first spring flowers, the absolute tranquillity (I only came across one family out for a walk and a mountain biker) and the scents of this fertile land with air as fresh as in the mountains, it’s a wonderful way to reconnect with nature.
What a joy to see that there are still so many farms and life in our villages.

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steve11590
steve11590
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Sections that are too long on wide tracks. A few differences in the route at two or three points.

Machine-translated

Manu081
Manu081
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
We completed the route as a pair over the weekend of 9–10 April 2022, so over two days.
Stage 1: La Salvetat to Lacaune, camping above Lacaune just before the motocross track – be careful, there’s a kennel nearby...
Stage 2: Lacaune to La Salvetat
The signposting is very good, but we had some doubts in certain places; in fact, the signposting and the trail don’t always match up, and we realised that it’s often better to follow the signposts as this helps you avoid certain tarmac sections.
Overall, this hike is very pleasant; we hardly met anyone, which makes for a very nice break
Best regards

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Other walks in the area

Walking Lacaune - La Salvetat-sur-Agout

Visorando Member
Lacaune - La Salvetat-sur-Agout
↔11.85 mi ↗+1,772 ft ↘-2,054 ft ◔7h 00 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Lacaune (Tarn)
This is the longest stage of the route, but it presents no particular difficulties.Most of the route runs through the Lacaune National Forest.The Rieufrech Stream will accompany you with its crystal-clear murmur almost all the way along the path.You might want to stop for lunch by the stream, next to a small bridge.

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↔8.20 mi ↗+1,283 ft ↘-1,253 ft ◔4h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lacaune (Tarn)
Thanks to the diversity of its landscapes, the Monts de Lacaune offer a remarkable palette of colours and a delight for hikers.

Walking From Lacaune to Roc de Montalet via Roc des Écus

Visorando Member
De Lacaune au Roc de Montalet par le Roc des Écus
↔9.70 mi ↗+1,654 ft ↘-1,634 ft ◔5h 55 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lacaune (Tarn)
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.

Walking Les Cabanes

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Les Cabanes
↔4.27 mi ↗+571 ft ↘-558 ft ◔2h 30 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Lacaune (Tarn)
This short family hike, shaded and sheltered from the wind, is as pleasant in summer as it is in winter. You will enjoy the scenery and the sunken paths between hazelnut trees and holly.

Walking Circular route starting from Lacaune

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Boucle au départ de Lacaune
↔6.37 mi ↗+1,322 ft ↘-1,322 ft ◔4h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lacaune (Tarn)
The hike starts with a steady climb to reach the ridge of the Hautes Terres d'Oc. The descent is gentle, through a beautiful beech forest, along holly hedges and a small stream at the end. There is shade all along the way except for 2-3 km at the summit.

Walking Roc des Écus via the Poutras and Martinou ponds

Visorando Member
Roc des Écus par les Bassins de Poutras et Martinou
↔4.92 mi ↗+545 ft ↘-538 ft ◔2h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lacaune (Tarn)
A pleasant walk, 80% of which is along shaded forest paths, offering a 360° view of Lacaune from the Roc des Écus. It can be completed at a leisurely pace in 2 hours 15 minutes with the family, as the climbs are gentle.

Walking The Roc des Écus from the Col de Picotalen

Visorando Member
Le Roc des Écus depuis le Col de Picotalen
↔2.70 mi ↗+449 ft ↘-446 ft ◔1h 40 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Lacaune (Tarn)
This is a family-friendly round-trip hike offering splendid views of Lacaune and its surroundings from the famous Roc des Écus. More than half of the route follows a wide forest track, then a beautiful, easy trail that is shaded almost all the way.

Walking Gijounet - Roquenière - Puech de Montgros loop around Gijou

Visorando Member
Gijounet - Roquenière - Puech de Montgros en boucle autour du Gijou
↔9.33 mi ↗+1,811 ft ↘-1,808 ft ◔5h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Gijounet (Tarn)
This hike starts in the small village of Gijounet and leads first to the Roquenière viewpoint and orientation table, then to Puech de Montgros, where you can enjoy a 360° view of the landscape. There is no monotony on this very "natural" circuit, where forest passages alternate with ridge paths that allow you to enjoy beautiful views of the surrounding puechs and the Gijou valley.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.