The Forest of the Fighting Writers starting from the Col de Madale

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The route can be described as moderately difficult. After a short warm-up stretch through the Forêt des Écrivains Combattants to a megalithic tomb, then crossing the hamlet of Madale, this circular route continues around the Serre de la Cabrière via a track that turns into a balcony path offering beautiful views of the Madale and Colombières Gorges and the Moulin de la Fage.

Details

n°39712281
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.43 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 381 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 380 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 845 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 658 m
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Photos

Forêt Domaniale des Écrivains Combattants
View of the Colombières Gorges from the Moulin de La Fage
View of the hamlet of Madale from a megalithic tomb
Path taken to visit the megalithic tomb

Description of the walk

Departure from the Col de Madale, where there are parking options either:
- on a tarmac car park near the intersection of the D180E3, towards Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare, and the D180E4, towards Rosis.
- on a dirt car park on the D180E2.

(S/E) Between the two roads, take the track towards the Forêt des Écrivains Combattants, pass a cistern and immediately after, you will come to a crossroads with a footpath.

(1) Keep left on the track, which also follows theGR®7, to reach a crossroads with several directions.

(2) Leave theGR®7, turn right and continue climbing to reach a megalithic tomb.

(3) Continue to the left and then, at the next crossroads, turn left again to reach a roundabout-shaped crossroads via a straight path. Turn left and you will find yourself back at the previous crossroads and theGR®7.

(2) Retrace your steps and return to the initial crossroads.

(1) Continue straight ahead on the red and white markedGR® trail and cross the Madale stream. You will reach the tarmac road in the hamlet of Madale.

(4) Leave theGR® here and turn left onto the tarmac road. Pass Madale and continue along Chemin du Bosc on the left. Pass through a chestnut grove to reach the hamlet of Bosc de Madale.

(5) Take the blue-marked path on the right, but be careful here: the path has deteriorated in places, so follow the cairns that replace the defective markings. You will reach the Chemin des Fleisses crossroads.

(6) Take it to the right and follow the yellow markings. Pass under the Roc de Brétouyre to reach the foot of the Arête de la Fage via a balcony path.

(7) Continue along the balcony path and rejoin theGR®7. Turn left and continue to the junction with the Moulin de la Fage road.

(8) Turn left to descend to Moulin de la Fage.

(9) Turn around to return to the previous crossroads.

(8) Turn left and walk for about 250 metres to reach the Col des Avels crossroads.

(10) Turn right onto the tarmac road, signposted Route de la Combe de Luq. Follow this road, which is shaded in summer, to return to your car parked at the Col de Madale car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 689 m - Car park at - Col de Madale (691m)
  2. 1 : km 0.89 - alt. 728 m - Carrefour Citerne. Return trip.
  3. 2 : km 1.1 - alt. 747 m - Crossroads. Return trip to the tomb.
  4. 3 : km 1.7 - alt. 777 m - Megalithic tomb
  5. 4 : km 3.13 - alt. 678 m - Entrance to the hamlet of Madale
  6. 5 : km 4.69 - alt. 696 m - The Bosc de Madale
  7. 6 : km 5.32 - alt. 784 m - Chemin des Fleisses
  8. 7 : km 6.4 - alt. 826 m - Arête de la Fage
  9. 8 : km 8 - alt. 802 m - Return trip to Moulin de la Fage - Col des Avels
  10. 9 : km 8.72 - alt. 760 m - La Fage refuge
  11. 10 : km 9.63 - alt. 802 m - Combe de Luq route
  12. S/E : km 11.43 - alt. 693 m - Car park at - Col de Madale (691m)

Notes

Note: this hike is similar to the one already published under no. 2908491).
However, there are some notable differences: the direction of travel has the advantage of allowing you to put in the most effort in the morning before stopping for lunch in the very pleasant surroundings of Moulin de la Fage. The return journey is then easy and relaxing, in the shade during the summer months, following the Combe de Luq road instead of the stonyGR® trail.

Worth a visit

Between (5) and (6), enjoy a panoramic view of the Madale Gorges.
Between (6) and (8), this balcony trail offers magnificent views of the Colombières Gorges, with the Arles stream and Moulin de La Fage below.
(9) Moulin de la Fage: you can stop for a bite to eat here, with three tables and benches available for hikers near the Ruisseau d'Arles stream.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Claire 81
Claire 81

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, a beautiful forest and a beautiful view of the gorges! With the good weather, the view stretched all the way to the sea. It's a shame I didn't find the megalithic tomb... and as I was hiking alone, I didn't dare change my route back along the road... and I hadn't read all the reviews (my loss!). I'll have to do it again!

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Claude ANDRE
Claude ANDRE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Departure from Col de MADALE. BEWARE, this is a fairly deserted area. I parked in the car park near the monument and my car was broken into during the hike, with the front and rear windows smashed! I wasn't the only one either, as the same thing happened to hikers in ROSIS and DOUCH!
That said, it is certainly one of the most beautiful hikes, very easily accessible without difficulty, crossing several landscapes. It is worth doing again in different seasons to enjoy the colours.

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Brett
Brett

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The Forest of Fighting Writers (Caroux)

This winding road leading to Douch through a dense national forest retains its charm despite the fog. It drizzles continuously and the landscape is shrouded in a veil of cotton.
Not a breath of wind... not a sound... silence reigns! The sound of our footsteps on the dirt track is like a soft rustling.
Then the forest quickly envelops us in its green mantle. The path narrows and becomes stony. Our sense of smell is heightened in this humid, vegetated environment. A few rare birdsongs echo in the midst of this silence where everything seems frozen.
A sudden downpour fills the air with musical notes as raindrops hit the thick foliage, like thousands of microscopic hammers striking each leaf like piano keys.
At point 3, I decide to descend 500 metres to make a circular route that takes me back to point 2, passing by the memorial stone erected in tribute to writers who fought in the war, which is poorly marked on the map and on site... what a shame!
We come out at the bend in a path onto this monumental stele, which resembles a war cross. Around thirty names adorn the stone steles along a path that pays tribute to them. This place of timeless charm encourages contemplation and meditation...
The rest of the hike takes us through magnificent forest landscapes and a few very steep, stony paths, sometimes overgrown with extremely dense vegetation that brushes against our legs.
The opaque veil surrounding us deprives us of the exceptional panorama of the Haut Languedoc Regional Park, but allows us to commune more deeply with the lush nature that envelops us. The spring flora is very much present with numerous foxgloves and the heather is finally beginning to don its purple coat. The Caroux will soon be adorned with its shimmering colours.
I made my way back by turning right 100 metres before point 8 to reach point 4 via a tiny path (poorly marked at the beginning), lined with giant heather, which allowed me to avoid the road.

A 12 km hike with 400 metres of elevation gain in 3 hours 45 minutes at a moderate pace, with few steep sections, but requiring good footwear.
Best done in midsummer as it is almost entirely in the woods.

Sent from my iPhone

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mimidave
mimidave

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in May 2024, not many people, beautiful view of the Colombieres Gorges.
Return via the GR to avoid the road; it is very rocky but superb. In summary, it is a very beautiful hike, medium difficulty.

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Gachounette 26
Gachounette 26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very good, beautiful scenery, very pleasant trail. I also recommend this hike for the beautiful views.
The only detail is that to take the path to the right at Bosc de Madale, there is a yellow paint mark on a branch on the ground, and then you will find blue markings. So no worries, after that it is well marked with cairns and blue paint.

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noelrando
noelrando

Thank you for the feedback.
A chance to do a bit less tarmac.
Before waypoint 8, turn right onto the GR (it is signposted) which takes you back to point 4.
Then turn left and follow the D180 E2 road for a short distance to return to the starting point.
Noël

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jmbaz
jmbaz

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful discovery of the forest of the fighters (we missed the grave) and the gorges.
The section of the GR7 that descends towards Madale is a bit technical but doable.
The trail after the hamlet of Le Bosc is difficult in its first section (lots of leaves and stones on the trail), but then it gets much better. But what a view of the gorges afterwards!
Thank you for this circular. The only downside is the return trip by road, but it's not too busy (I don't think there's any other way to do it).
To be done again.

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noelrando
noelrando

Thank you for your feedback.
Christmas

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Fernandez Benjamin
Fernandez Benjamin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We loved this route. It allows you to see the Madale and Colombière gorges. Thank you.

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Edipie
Edipie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's a shame about the megalithic tomb... it's regrettable that there are no signs pointing to it.

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.