Gorges du Tarn: Hauterives - La Malène - Rieisse - Montignac

Park in the hamlet of Rieisse, using the small car park near the lodge.

(S/E) Head towards the centre of the hamlet.

Yellow and red GRP® markings

Turn right and follow the sign for "Anilhac". Make sure you pass to the right of the bread oven to take the path that runs alongside a few houses on the left: the path on the other side of the oven leads to private property. When you reach a fork marked by an old metal cross that is a little difficult to spot in the overgrown vegetation, turn left (markings are poor at this point). The narrow path gives way to a more comfortable track, crosses a magnificent coniferous undergrowth and eventually leads to the D16.

don't hesitate to take a short detour to the right to see the beautiful drystone shelter in perfect condition, retrace your steps and follow the road on the left side to the Col de Rieisse, where you will find a panoramic view of the Causse Méjean: __* see § Practical information.

No markings

Continue straight ahead, negotiate a left-hand bend and continue for about half a kilometre.

(2) Leave the road and turn onto the grassy path on the left, which further on joins the tarmac road leading to Rouveret. Turn left, pass the cemetery and then the church, and you will reach the crossroads marking the centre of the village, where there are some pretty Causse houses and a beautiful cross.

Yellow and red GRP® markings

(3) Turn right onto the tarmac road and continue along a beautiful sunken lane until you reach a crossroads marked by a metal cross bearing the instruments of the Passion.

(4) Turn right onto a narrow path lined with box hedges and join the D16. Continue in the same direction until you reach the nearby crossroads named Croix Blanche, in reference to the beautiful imposing cross that stands there.

(5) Cross the D43 with caution and continue straight ahead towards Montignac. When you reach the centre of the village, look out for the sign on the stone wall inviting you to turn right.

(6) Turn right. When you reach a dry stone wall on the left, stop climbing and turn right onto a wide grassy path: be careful, this turn-off is not obvious! Initially flat, this path becomes a trail and climbs up a steep slope, then levels out again, with the houses of Anilhac in sight. Head towards the centre of the hamlet.

(7) Turn left, walking past a small, well-restored house and following the sign for "Hauterives". Follow the beautiful double track path along the contour line to the edge of the plateau.

(8) Access to the Couronne viewpoint is no longer possible as a fence blocks the way. The wide path followed up to this point gives way to a narrow trail that immediately begins the descent into the Tarn valley. First cross an area unfortunately disfigured by the fires of 2021, then a greener section. A series of tight hairpin bends then leads under the imposing ruins of Hauterives Castle, perched on the right on its rocky outcrop. Turn left to pass between the beautiful stone houses of Castéllos, continue downhill and reach a crossroads where there is a signpost.

White and red GR® markings

(9) Leave the PR® trail on the right towards Saint-Chély du Tarn, turn left and head for the hamlet of Hauterives, which is only accessible on foot or by crossing the Tarn by boat. Take the time to admire the beautiful stone buildings with their slate roofs, some of which are unfortunately abandoned.

Opposite the large "Village en péril" banner, temporarily leave the GR® by turning right down to the banks of the Tarn at the cable basket used for supplies from the road on the other side of the river. Walk along the riverbank until you come to a fence with a "Private Property" sign and go up to the left to find the trail markers again.

The path quickly begins to climb around a rock that plunges steeply into the river, then begins a descent with some very steep sections secured by cables and wooden steps.

(10) Turn right, cross a pretty wooden walkway, then descend to the Tarn. Walk along the river on the right-hand side through the undergrowth, enjoying the shade and the pleasant sandy ground underfoot. Access to the Tarn is not particularly easy (tall grass, spongy areas, steep embankments, etc.) and you will have to wait until you get closer to La Malène to find some very pleasant places to swim. Come out onto the D43.

(11) Turn right to reach the La Malène bridge. Enjoy the view of this exceptional village nestled beneath the rocky cliffs. Continue straight ahead without crossing the bridge.

Markings: GR® White and Red + PR® Yellow

Follow the road, which is closed to traffic except for residents, for about 200 metres. Look for the signpost marking the start of a narrow path on the left.

Yellow PR® markings

(12) Take this path, following the sign for "Rieisse - Roc des Hourtous". The climb is steady and sustained, alternating between tight hairpin bends and long diagonal passages. Towards the end, the slope levels out and the path crosses a beautiful undergrowth of conifers and oaks before arriving at the hamlet of Rieisse. When you reach the tarmac road, turn right as indicated by the signpost, then left to reach the old bread oven and a signpost slightly off to the right. Take a moment to admire the exceptional architecture of the stone houses in this hamlet, which are in very good condition.

Continue straight ahead to quickly return to the car park where you started (S/E).

Signposting

The hike is well marked for almost its entire length.

• There is a problem at the Col de Rieisse after (8). Despite the presence of^GRP®® markings at this location, a chain with a sign saying "No entry - Private property" blocks the path about 50 metres after the turn! When in doubt, I preferred not to brave this prohibition and continued to follow the D16 to (2). However, this is a point that will need to be clarified with the FFR.

Drinking water point in Anilhac (7).

All shops and numerous accommodation options in La Malène (4).

High or low hiking boots are recommended due to the numerous rocky sections. Walking sticks will be useful, particularly on the descent between (1) and (2), to negotiate the steep sections where stones roll underfoot.

The Gorges du Tarn are a particularly popular tourist destination in summer, with all the disadvantages of mass tourism. There is constant traffic on the road between Le Rozier and Sainte-Énimie, with the associated noise pollution, and crowds of canoes on the Tarn, etc. However, the beauty of the site encourages tolerance and provides a welcome counterbalance to these drawbacks, which should not discourage potential hikers.

The villages and hamlets of the Causse region that you pass through are all exceptional and well worth taking the time to explore. These possible stops are not included in the description and significantly extend the duration of the hike. Allow for an extra 45 minutes or so. Hauterives, Rieisse and Montignac are particularly worth mentioning.

Hauterives

La Malène

At (4), it is worth making a short detour to La Malène for a break, to stock up on supplies or to visit the village. This detour is not included in the description.

Gorges du Tarn.

Gorges de la Jonte.

Saint-Chély du Tarn.