Le Violon

A trail linking Caussenard heritage, an old drovers' road and breathtaking views: from the heights of the Causses foothills, you can see the Lot Valley stretching into the distance, as well as the Aubrac plateau.

Details

4388410
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.55 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 285 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 287 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 950 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 785 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park in the centre of the hamlet of Rouges Parets.

(S/E) From the car park, turn left onto the GR®6 towards Malavialette (an old drovers' road) heading south-west.

(1) At the crossroads by an old barn, turn left, cross a clearing and climb up to reach another crossroads.

(2) Take the path on the right through the woods for about 500 m, then take a small track on the left. The track leads to the Mas de Donat fountain, which can be reached via a route (return to the track and follow it towards Mas de Donat). At Mas de Donat, turn right at the entrance to the hamlet and you will come to a wrought-iron cross on your left. Turn right onto a small road and follow it for about 300 m. (You can continue along the road to reach Rouges Parets).

(3) At the right-hand bend, leave the road and go straight on, taking a path between boxwood and pine trees.

(4) At the junction with the main track, turn left. Continue along this main track along the ridge until you reach the Via Ferrata, the orientation table and the electricity pylon at Rocher de Roqueprins.

(5) Pass to the right of the building and follow the cliff, then descend into the woods to the junction with the GR®6.

(6) Take the path on the right to follow the GR®6 for about 1 km, passing the Violon ruins.

(7) Continue straight on until you reach a crossroads.

(8) Continue on the GR®6 to the right, leaving the path on your left. After about 400 metres, leave the GR®6 and take the path on the left; then, at the next junction, turn right and head towards Rouges Parets (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 830 m - Les Rouges Parets
  2. 1 : km 1.01 - alt. 855 m - Old barn
  3. 2 : km 1.52 - alt. 887 m - Towards the fountain and village of Mas de Donat
  4. 3 : km 3.56 - alt. 868 m - Leaving the route – possible shortcut
  5. 4 : km 5.08 - alt. 922 m - Main track
  6. 5 : km 7.03 - alt. 902 m - Orientation table and pylon
  7. 6 : km 8.01 - alt. 855 m - Junction with the GR6
  8. 7 : km 8.51 - alt. 901 m - Ruins of Le Violon
  9. 8 : km 9.63 - alt. 893 m - Stay on the GR6 to the right
  10. S/E : km 11.55 - alt. 830 m - Les Rouges Parets

Notes

(3) Option to take the short road to return directly to Rouges Parets.

Worth a visit

Top Pick

Fasten your harnesses and set off to tackle the Via Ferrata at Rocher de Roqueprins.

Things to Discover

The route begins in the hamlet of Rouges Parets, whose name – meaning ‘red walls’ – suggests that bloody events may have taken place there. It then continues towards Mas de Donat before following the path of an old drovers' road that likely linked up with the Aubrac draille.

By definition, a “drovers’ road” is a track used by transhumant herds. Some have been in use since time immemorial (sometimes for several millennia) to drive flocks of sheep from the south to the north during the summer season. They often take the shortest route, sometimes crossing extremely steep slopes.
Imagine crossing the Gorges with a herd of 1,000 animals!

Here, they descended towards La Canourgue via the Sabot de Malepeyre. Today, these drovers' roads are used only by hikers, as the pastoral way of life of yesteryear has disappeared. However, this way of life shaped the character of the Causse, leaving traces that are still visible today: Causse-style houses, cazelles and other jasses, not to mention the flocks of sheep one might encounter at a bend in the path, their approach heralded by the gentle tinkling of bells.

Natural and Heritage Points of Interest on the Route

- Via Ferrata and orientation table at Rocher de Roqueprins.
- Beginners’ climbing site at Rouges Parets.
- Le Violon: the remains of an old farmhouse.
- Caussenarde architecture at Rouges Parets and Mas de Donat.

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
misscath
misscath

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk. It’s a shame it ended on a long, wide path

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OT Aubrac-Gorges du Tarn
OT Aubrac-Gorges du Tarn

Hello,

Thank you for your feedback on this hike!

The signposting and maintenance of our 37 PRs from Aubrac to the Gorges du Tarn are carefully carried out by our local hiking associations.

Have a great day!

The team at the Aubrac aux Gorges du Tarn Tourist Office

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FloFon
FloFon

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Completed in early May 2025. Well marked. Varied views. No difficulty whatsoever.

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elie
elie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike, flowers everywhere, lovely hamlets, beautiful landscapes.
And magnificent views of La Canourgue.
The detour to see the sabot is a must.

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FranceDel
FranceDel

This hike was not created by Visorando; it is marked, described and maintained by the French Hiking Federation. TopoGuide "au Pays de la Canourgue"

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NOUVENE
NOUVENE
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with several sites to see. Take the time to visit the Sabot de Malepeyre (+ 1.2 km round trip) and don't hesitate to visit the small hamlets of Les Rouges Parets and Le Mas de Donat (beautiful Caussennard houses). The arrival at the Roqueprins antennas offers a magnificent view of La Canourgue with a very beautiful orientation table.

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Bernard12
Bernard12

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

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SM BISCHE
SM BISCHE

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Some beautiful views, traditional Causse houses (some of them beautifully restored) and even encounters with roe deer and does (no doubt just as surprised as we were!). It's true that we were often 'all alone' in this rather chilly month of April...

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gilles_v4
gilles_v4

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. Easy to follow because it is well described and well marked.

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Natachat
Natachat

I tried out several hikes around Malzieu-Ville this summer. In preparation for my stay there, I downloaded the hiking routes available on your website and... Well done! They were all useful and proved to be very comprehensive and accurate. Thank you, you helped to make my stay enchanting...
Kind regards.

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