Circular route around Le Déroc and the lakes south of Nasbinals

Start at Marchastel Church (car park).
Access via the D900 linking Nasbinals and Marjevols. Coming from Nasbinals, after crossing the River Bès, continue for about 1.5 km along the road. At a place called Le Paysan, take the small road on the left at a sharp angle which climbs towards the “castle” of Marchastel.

(S/E) Head south and return downhill to the D900 road.

(1) Follow the road to the right. Cross the bridge over the Bès and you will immediately come to a crossroads.

(2) Take the small road furthest to the left. Go straight on, ignoring a bridge on the left.

(3) At a sharp right-hand bend, leave the small road and take the path opposite (yellow markings). After about a hundred metres, turn left and head up towards the Grange du Déroc.

(4) Immediately after the barn, there is the option of a short detour to the left to the top of the Déroc waterfall and the foot of the waterfall.
N.B. The route is not marked on the map and must be done on foot.

(4) Continue along the path, which soon turns right.

(5) Follow the road to the left. Ignore the turn-off to the right for the hamlet of Les Salhiens.

(6) Just after the Buron des Nègres, continue straight on along a track (red and white markings of^{the GR®®670}; let the road turn left).

(7) At the crossroads, take the path furthest to the left (south-south-west). Cross a stream and head up through the pastures, with a few windbreaks here and there.

(8) Return to the tarmac road and continue straight on.

(9) At the junction, go straight on (let the^GR®® head off to the left).

(10) At the next junction, follow the D219 road to the right for about 3.5 km.

(11) At the end, follow the D987 road to the right for about 2.5 km.

(12) Turn sharply left towards Ginestouse.

(13) After 350 m, turn right towards La Vincente. Ignore the turn-off to Michelou on the left.

(14) Pass the hamlet of La Vincente and continue along a track.

(15) At the end, follow the^GR®®65(red and white markings) to the right. Stay on the main track and ignore the side paths.

(16) Join the D987 road and follow it to the left. Enter Nasbinals, stay on the main street and go round the church on the left.

(17) At the crossroads at the foot of the church, turn left into Rue du 19 Mars 1962.

(18) At the next junction (cross), cross the D987 and follow the D900 opposite towards Montgrousset, Marchastel and Marvejols.

(19) Shortly after the cemetery (cross), turn left. Immediately leave the road and take a track on the right (east). At the next two junctions, go straight on.

(20) At the crossroads (cross), go straight on, rejoin the tarmac road and enter Montgros.

(21) At the fork in the road in Montgros, turn right, staying on the tarmac.

(22) When the road bends to the right, turn left and follow a track downhill to a crossroads you passed at the very start.

(2) Follow the D900 to the left and cross the bridge over the Bès.

(1) At a place called Le Paysan, turn sharply left towards “Le château”, go uphill and you’ll soon reach the church at Marchastel (S/E).

This route consists largely of tarmac (more than half), but the off-road sections, whilst not particularly difficult, require a mountain bike.

Bar-restaurant in Nasbinals.

A map or route on a smartphone is useful.

- Pleasant routes through pastures, with sweeping views.
- Déroc Waterfall (4), accessible on foot.
- Passes alongside several lakes.
- Sainte-Marie Church (12th–13th century), Romanesque in style, in Nasbinals (17).