Passing by the ruins of Le Violon.

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

Details

n°4388410

Creation:
01 Dec 2020

Last update:
14 Dec 2020

Last review:
14 May 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 11.63 km
Average duration: 4h 05
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 279 m
Descent: - 280 m
Highest point: 950 m
Lowest point: 761 m

Country: France
Area: Massif central
District: La Canourgue (48500)
Start/End: N 44.397804° / E 3.225172°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2539E
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Description of the walk

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

(S/E) From the car park, take the^GR®6on the left towards Malavialette (old drovers' road) to the south-west.

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

(2) Turn right through the woods to reach Mas de Donat. Turn right at the entrance to the hamlet and continue to a cross. Turn right onto a small road and continue for about 300 metres.

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

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

(5) Pass to the right of the building and walk along the cliff, then descend into the woods until you reach the junction with the^GR® 6.

(6) Turn right and follow the^GR®6for about 1 km to pass in front of the Violon ruins.

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

(8) Leave the^GR®6and follow the path on the left which descends into the Combe Basse valley.

(9) Take the path ascending to the right to reach the road and, on the right, the hamlet of Les Rouges-Parets, the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 830 m - Les Rouges Parets
1 : km 1.01 - alt. 855 m - Old barn
2 : km 1.52 - alt. 887 m - Fork in the road towards Mas de Donat
3 : km 3.27 - alt. 868 m - Abandoning the road - shortcut possible
4 : km 4.79 - alt. 922 m - Long trail
5 : km 6.74 - alt. 902 m - Orientation table and pylon
6 : km 7.73 - alt. 855 m - Junction with the GR°°®°° 6
7 : km 8.22 - alt. 901 m - Ruins of Le Violon
8 : km 9.35 - alt. 893 m - Leaving the °°GR®°°6
9 : km 10.49 - alt. 762 m - Combe Basse
S/E : km 11.63 - alt. 830 m - Les Rouges Parets

Notes

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

Worth a visit

Favourite

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

To Discover

The route begins in the hamlet of Rouges Parets, whose name ("red walls") suggests that bloody episodes may have taken place there. It then continues towards Mas de Donat before taking the path of an old drovers' road that probably joined the Aubrac drovers' road.

By definition, a "drovers' road" is a track used by transhumant herds. Some of them have been used since time immemorial (sometimes for several millennia) to lead 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 only used by hikers, as the pastoral way of life of yesteryear has disappeared. However, it has shaped the face of the Causse, leaving traces that are still visible today: Causse houses, cazelles and other jasses, not to mention the flocks of sheep that you might encounter along the way, their bells tinkling sweetly as they approach.

Natural and Heritage Attractions on the Route

- View of the Sabot de Malpeyre.
- Via Ferrata and orientation table at Rocher de Roqueprins.
- Climbing initiation site at Rouges Parets.
- Le Violon: remains of an old farm.
- Caussenarde architecture at Rouges Parets and Mas de Donat.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5

Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5

Ease of following the route
5 / 5

Route interest
4.7 / 5

OT Aubrac-Gorges du Tarn

14 May 2025 at 09:14 7200

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

13 May 2025 at 22:27 7200

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

31 Jul 2024 at 17:59 7200

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

01 Jul 2024 at 10:28 7200

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

29 Sep 2023 at 09:05 7200 • Edited: 29 Sep 2023 at 09:40 7200

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

26 Jun 2023 at 12:09 7200

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

26 Apr 2023 at 09:22 7200

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

02 Sep 2022 at 15:25 7200

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

23 Nov 2021 at 18:35 3600

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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