The Bélesta Forest

A pleasant route, admittedly long but peaceful, which will allow you to discover the ancient Royal Forest of Bélesta, with the added bonus of a visit to the incredible intermittent fountain of Fontestorbes.

Complementary hike to: The Croix de Millet route.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.32 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 642 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 645 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 925 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 490 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking on Rue Noël Naudi.

(S/E) Opposite, head west along Rue du Casteillat, marked in red and yellow (GRP® Pays d'Olmes). Stay on this street, ignoring the other side streets. The tarmac turns into a track and then a path (still markedGRP®). Pass an adventure park and leave theGRP® heading west to join the D9 road and the Fontestorbes fountain.

(1) After this incredible discovery, follow the D9 west for about a hundred metres before leaving it for a path that turns 180°. Please note that this section is very poorly maintained with almost no markings, but rest assured, the route is obvious. This will take you to the D16.

(2) Follow it to the right until you reach a track on the right, under the power line.

(3) From this point onwards, there are yellow markings all along the route. Take the track and head towards the hamlet of Rieufourcant.

(4) Pass the houses. The track turns into a path. Further on, cross a small bridge to change sides and reach the hamlet of Le Couquet.

(5) Follow the path that immediately turns right in a hairpin bend. You will arrive at a pass and begin the descent to the D16.

(6) Take care when crossing the road and set off opposite on the forest road for about 700 m until you reach a path that climbs to the right.

(7) Leave the forest road and take this section, which is unmarked but obvious and short, leading to the Trou des Corbeaux intersection.

(8) Walk about 50 metres to Trou des Corbeaux and back to see this impressive chasm. Return to the signposts and head towards Bélesta. After about 400 metres, you will arrive at the hamlet of Gélat.

(9) Follow the road towards Bélesta until you reach a hairpin bend on the left.

(10) Take the track opposite and further on you will find a viewpoint with picnic tables.

(11) Continue towards Bélesta.

(12) Continue along the track until you reach a path that branches off to the left.

(13) Take this path, which descends to the left, and you will come to a junction with several paths.

(14) Ignore the path towards Bélesta, which starts opposite, and take the path towards Croix de Millet, which climbs to the left. Be careful, as this section is challenging and slippery. A little less than a kilometre further on, you will arrive at Croix de Millet, which offers a magnificent view of Bélesta.

(15) Return to the previous intersection.

(14) Turn left towards Bélesta and continue along a secondary road after some beautiful descents.

(16) Follow the road to the left and cross it several times, taking the paths opposite each time. Later, you will arrive at Rue de Delalayguo. Turn left onto this road to reach the village of Bélesta. Cross the bridge over the Hers and you will find the car park just after the bridge (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 493 m - Rue Noël Naudi - Hers (rivière) à finaliser
  2. 1 : km 1.67 - alt. 511 m - Fontaine intermittente
  3. 2 : km 2.84 - alt. 625 m - D16 road
  4. 3 : km 3.19 - alt. 638 m - Track
  5. 4 : km 4.36 - alt. 733 m - Rieufourcant hamlet
  6. 5 : km 5.29 - alt. 824 m - Couquet hamlet
  7. 6 : km 7.31 - alt. 827 m - D16 road
  8. 7 : km 7.91 - alt. 849 m - Path
  9. 8 : km 8.25 - alt. 899 m - Intersection. Return trip to - Trou des corbeaux
  10. 9 : km 8.66 - alt. 896 m - Le Gélat hamlet
  11. 10 : km 9.53 - alt. 820 m - Track
  12. 11 : km 10.17 - alt. 858 m - Viewpoint
  13. 12 : km 11.31 - alt. 835 m - Track
  14. 13 : km 12.34 - alt. 841 m - Trail - Antennas
  15. 14 : km 12.69 - alt. 781 m - Intersection - Return trip to Croix de Millet
  16. 15 : km 13.45 - alt. 804 m - Croix de Millet (Bélesta)
  17. 16 : km 14.95 - alt. 613 m - Road
  18. S/E : km 16.32 - alt. 493 m - Rue Noël Naudi

Notes

Video of the hike available at the following link https://youtu.be/bI82MPwIDjI

Be careful between points (1) and (2), as this section is poorly maintained, with almost no yellow markings and some "dirty" sections.

Picnic table at the viewpoint at point (11).

Be careful between (14) and (15), as this section is very slippery, especially after rain.

Exercise caution when crossing roads.

Worth a visit

The intermittent fountain at Fontestorbes is worth a stop.

Further west are the Frau Gorges towards Fougax-et-Barrineuf and the Château de Montségur.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Lionel11410
Lionel11410

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, but quite physically demanding due to its length. We didn't meet anyone else along the way. The forest section between points 4 and 6 has been completely destroyed by logging. I enjoyed discovering the intermittent Fontestorbes fountain and the impressive Trou des Corbeaux (Crows' Hole). The climb to the Croix de Millet takes more than 25 minutes at this time of year, and I would not recommend it with young children as some sections are quite dangerous. From the top, there is a beautiful view of the village of Bélesta. The trail was quite wet due to the rain in recent days. Best done in spring.

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roques michel
roques michel

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

At km 3, on the uphill stretch through the woods, trees are broken across the path and you have to go around them... three times. At km 14, to get to the Millet cross, the sign says it's 15 minutes for 800 metres. It takes much longer than that. It was very slippery everywhere, which is normal as it has been raining heavily for quite some time. This hike is best done in late spring as it is very shady and not particularly difficult.

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Fa54
Fa54

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Done on Friday, 9 August. I didn't meet anyone.
Shady route, but apart from the three hamlets I passed through, not particularly interesting as my vertigo quickly forced me to turn back on the Millet Cross trail.
The first climb after the resurgence is quite demanding, but after that it's smooth sailing.

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Patate
Patate

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Quite a physically demanding hike, mainly through forest with a few small hamlets along the way. Didn't meet a soul. At the viewpoint (point 11), there are very rustic tables and benches, but the information panel describing the panorama is completely damaged. What a shame! Didn't attempt the crossing at the Millet cross!

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Stephane 31
Stephane 31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We hiked under a beautiful blue sky without a breath of wind. The start of the trail after the fountain is very congested, with fallen trees in the middle of the path forcing us to perform multiple acrobatic manoeuvres. We quickly encountered snow, which prevented us from reaching the Millet Cross. I recommend this hike.

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fred09300
fred09300

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, sometimes on very quiet paths.
Otherwise, it is a fairly easy route to hike and the hamlets you pass through are very beautiful. Be careful on the path to the cross, which can be difficult for those unfamiliar with it.

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VAN MESSEM Josse
VAN MESSEM Josse

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very good walk, with enough elevation gain but not too much, several very interesting points of interest. For less experienced hikers, the paths were well marked (we only got lost once). The weak points are a few sections that are poorly maintained, which can cause you to doubt which path to take. I recommend it.

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alpini.friuli
alpini.friuli
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike through the forest, sometimes passing through beautiful high forests, which gives the route a feel reminiscent of the Laurentian forests (north of Montreal in Quebec). Clear paths and fairly well marked. Pass through inhabited hamlets and meet friendly locals. No notable difficulties except for accessing La Croix de Millet, with steep passages that are quite tricky to negotiate on the limestone rock: this route is strongly discouraged in rainy weather. Magnificent panorama from La Croix over the Pays d'Olmes. An interesting return trip to discover Bélesta, an old industrial town from the 18th and 19th centuries, and walk along the Hers. All in all, a slightly difficult hike due to its length, but without any major difficulties except for the last few metres to climb towards La Croix de Millet. Be careful, however, of horseflies and their very painful bites. In summer, protect yourself against these blood-sucking insects, which are inevitably very unpleasant. Cheers!

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iSenior
iSenior
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this beautiful hike in the forest, with gigantic fir trees between 10 and 11, on a trail that is almost always in cool shade and dotted with interesting sights that enhance the walk.
The trail was indeed not maintained when we arrived at 2, with brambles and branches blocking the path due to spring growth. The signage is effective along almost the entire route, with little need to refer to the description. On two sections, runoff water made progress more difficult, due to the storms of the previous days. The route to the Millet cross (14 to 15) should be undertaken in dry weather, as it is much safer!

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popo1953
popo1953

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An easily accessible route that anyone can enjoy, whether you're a beginner or an experienced hiker. I have a slight disability and had no trouble completing it. Of course, some sections require a bit of effort, but nothing too strenuous.

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