Between Saint-Martin and the Col de Lamothe

This short circular route allows you to admire the Cornudère ridge, starting from the highest point of Saint-Martin de Salies, and to walk through cultivated fields and pastures, passing via the Col de Lamothe, with a few pleasantly shaded sections.

Details

n°35835408
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.84 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 551 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 558 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,421 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,112 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

From Mane, follow signs for Rouède (D83), then Saint-Martin at a place called Sarrous (D83F). At the entrance to the village, park just before the school on the right, on Chemin de Cravarisse.

(S/E) Walk slightly uphill along the Route des Diligences, which you arrived on, cross it, then take the Chemin du Nougaròu (a small tarmac road) opposite. From the top of the path, admire the Crête de Cornudère opposite and, to the right, the Pic du Cagire (1,912 m). After a few houses, the path descends quite steeply to cross the D83.

(1) Carry on straight ahead to continue along the Chemin du Col de Lamothe, which winds its way through fields and pastures, crosses the Ruisseau de la Justale and then climbs quite steeply to reach the hamlet of Cazals.

(2) Turn right onto the Chemin Cazala (yellow signpost). The path begins with a tarmac section before turning into a stony track and then a simple track across the fields (watch out for puddles, which can be tricky). The path passes through a small copse before veering to the left and soon reaching several farmsteads.

(3) Continue to the right, still following the Chemin du Col de Lamothe. At a place called Clarède, keep to the right and follow the Route du Pont de Prades for about 300 metres before reaching a crossroads with four paths.

(4) Turn right and follow this long, well-marked path which climbs gently before descending through the woodland to reach a ford where you can cross the Ruisseau de la Justale once more. The path climbs slightly before crossing the D83 one last time.

(5) Turn left and follow the departmental road for about fifty metres before leaving it to turn right onto the Chemin de la Carrère, which climbs quite steeply before reaching the Church of Saint-Martin.

(6) Turn right onto the Chemin de l’Église Saint-Martin and return to the car park located just past the school (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,388 ft - Saint-Martin-de-Salies School
  2. 1 : mi 0.55 - alt. 1,148 ft - Chemin de Col de Lamothe
  3. 2 : mi 0.91 - alt. 1,214 ft - Cazals hamlet
  4. 3 : mi 1.43 - alt. 1,273 ft - Chemin du Col de Lamothe
  5. 4 : mi 2.27 - alt. 1,401 ft - Crossroads of the 4 paths / Route du Pont de Prades
  6. 5 : mi 3.32 - alt. 1,181 ft - Chemin de la Carrère
  7. 6 : mi 3.59 - alt. 1,322 ft - Saint-Martin Church (Montastruc-de-Salies) - Eglise Saint-Martin (Saint-Martin de Salies)
  8. S/E : mi 3.84 - alt. 1,388 ft - Saint-Martin-de-Salies School

Notes

Caution:
- watch out for puddles on Chemin de Cazala, which are not always visible.
- the ford across the Justale stream when the water is flowing strongly.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 2 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
Flom
Flom

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely route, but watch out for some rather muddy patches; make sure you wear waterproof shoes as well, as there’s a stream you can’t avoid crossing.
Watch out for hunters – they were shooting not far from where my dog and I were; I’d made sure we were both wearing high-visibility vests.
Otherwise, it was lovely, even in January 👌

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legna
legna

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short walk, easy to do with young children. Although it is at a low altitude, you can enjoy some lovely views of the cultivated and well-maintained countryside. In the description, we suggest replacing “the path goes through a small wood before veering off to the left” with “The path goes through a small wood before turning almost at a right angle to the left”. This may help to prevent you from straying off the route.

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