La Montagne Noire via Cubserviès

Exploring La Montagne Noire and one of the highest waterfalls in Europe.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.98 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 647 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 640 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 788 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 307 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The (mandatory) starting point is at the hikers’ car park 300m from the village of Roquefère at a narrowing of the rocks.

(S)A:: From the car park turn left between the rocks and seek for a “calvaire” on the right indicating the start of the trail. Follow the path to the right marked in yellow, do not take a path to the left going down to the Coumo Rousal stream but carry on the same path. Further on, go through a walk-through gate and take the path that goes immediately up to the left. Continue on the path that will continue at first gently and then more pronouncedly sloping taking you to the ridge and to a fork.

(1) Head up to left, following the yellow and orange markings, continue along the side of the mountain and arrive on the ridge.

(2) The path turns right, passing the Ventajou dolmens then hedge of the forest. Continue to the right on the track to reach a wide track about 200m further on.

(3) Turn left and follow the route for 800 m to find a junction with La Vierge de Saint-Martin.

(4) Turn right, ignore the next path to left to head out of the forest. The road will make a sharp right turn and lead onto the road.

(5) Make a small detour to the right by Cubserviès for the view of the waterfall and then head back here.
Retrace your steps back to the road that heads down to the right. Cross the "La Ferriere" stream, pass by the Fontpeyrisse mill and continue on the road up to a junction.

(6) Continue on the road to make a detour to the Saint-Sernin church and back. Come back to the intersection and off the road to go down the path on the left. After a turn, find a fork.

(7) “Here you have the option to make a detour to the waterfall by striking out to the right before returning and continuing the descent, but the paths are hard to spot and access is not the easiest. But it’s worth a shot...''
Continue downhill starting on the left, the path narrows. Pass by the ruins of Pellairol and continue on a wide path downhill. Pass by the ruins of Sabartès to reach a bridge a kilometre away.

(8) Cross the Prat Viel stream, continue onwards to a road.

(9) Head up on this road to the right to reach the top of the village of La Bastide-Esparbairenque. After a small square, find the D9 and turn right to the washhouse.

(10) Turn left following the yellow and blue marking then climb a path to the left. On your right is the Saint-André church. Continue onwards to reach a track.

(11). Take that track to the right as far as the bend in the road, then leave it and head down to the right under the rock of En Galière between old terraces. Cross a gap and reach a fork.

(12) Take the trail to the right which first rises and then descends steeply as far as Roquefère. After visiting the village, turn left on the D9 to reach the car park. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 308 m - Randonneurs car park
  2. 1 : km 2.56 - alt. 587 m - Intersection. Go left.
  3. 2 : km 3.72 - alt. 700 m - Reaching the ridge.
  4. 3 : km 4.7 - alt. 775 m - Intersection with a wide track.
  5. 4 : km 5.63 - alt. 783 m - Virgin of the Plo St-Martin.
  6. 5 : km 6.25 - alt. 744 m - Cascade de Cubserviès
  7. 6 : km 6.62 - alt. 731 m - Rieutord (cours d'eau) - Affluent de l'Orbiel
  8. 7 : km 7.63 - alt. 763 m - Leave the track and turn left
  9. 8 : km 8.42 - alt. 708 m - Intersection. Possible path to the waterfall.
  10. 9 : km 11.19 - alt. 422 m - Bridge over the Prat Viel stream.
  11. 10 : km 11.58 - alt. 415 m - Intersection before Bastide Espabairenque.
  12. 11 : km 12.37 - alt. 449 m - Laundry
  13. 12 : km 12.81 - alt. 506 m - Runway intersection
  14. 13 : km 14.53 - alt. 385 m - Right towards Roquefère
  15. S/E : km 15.98 - alt. 307 m - Randonneurs car park

In the nearby area

Roquefère is well worth a visit.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 119 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
philphil9
philphil9

Very beautiful hike and the waterfall is lovely, a bit long but pleasant.

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RV32
RV32

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : May 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Nice walk with superb paths. The view is not exceptional and access to the waterfall is not possible up close, which is frustrating.

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Bruno pierre
Bruno pierre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Nice walk

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2455783
2455783

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb walk with lovely views of the Pyrenees, 2 beautiful hilltop villages (Labastide Espaibairenque and Cubservies), a magnificent waterfall, 1 dolmen and the beautiful village of Roquefère with its castle and newly paved streets.

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ferrand philippe
ferrand philippe

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

very nice walk - superb views - worth doing

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jfprenant
jfprenant

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Starting from Roquefère, it's a 16km loop, beginning with a 4km climb to point 2 to take in the superb panoramic views, then passing through the village of Cubserviès and its waterfall (we didn't take the more well-maintained path to the waterfall, but we had to go too high to reach it...). The descent to Roquefère offers magnificent views of the châteaux of Lastours, the Pic de Nore and the Pyrenees.
Before setting off again, it's worth stopping off at l'atelier du Marron for some sweet treats (for us, chestnut honey, chestnut cream and hazelnut confit with honey ).
All in all, one of the most beautiful walks we've done in the Montagne Noire.

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Laurencepi
Laurencepi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A great hike that got off to a great start. Not used to walking for so long, we did it in 5 hours.
Very few encounters. At the finish, we had a picnic and a dip in the river at Roquefère. Thank you for this route, which is very well described.

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bardenas
bardenas

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant loop to do when the weather is hot, the walk around the lake in the undergrowth is a pleasure with no difficulty.

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GUIRAUD FRANCOIS
GUIRAUD FRANCOIS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Lovely walk from Roquefère. Beautiful panoramic views, pretty little village of Cubserviès and its waterfall. Some nice climbs, especially at the start.

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LULUETULYSSE
LULUETULYSSE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice walk, not as easy as all that, with some steep climbs, but a magnificent perched hamlet of Cubserviès, the waterfall seen from a distance, as it is impossible to get close, in a particularly pleasant natural setting, the hamlets have retained the charm of the past.

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BECK33
BECK33

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

A lovely walk for the whole family, but a little long at the end as indicated.

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Daniel_Tango_Victor
Daniel_Tango_Victor
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Nice easy (but long, as indicated) walk in pleasant weather. Lots of flowers. Surprising hamlet of Cubserviès on the edge of a precipice where the waterfall falls. Church of Saint-Sernin closed. The pretty villages of Labastide-Esparbairenque and Roquefère. Honey and chestnut cream in Roquefère. Taste the Cabardès AOC (in moderation).

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Ludovicblum
Ludovicblum

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Excellent walk.
Singles in undergrowth, small stream crossings, magnificent views of the Pyrenees and the Montagne Noire massif. Nothing is lacking on this route.
The start is actually quite steep. Be careful not to miss the start on the left before Roquefert. If you arrive in the village, you'll have to turn around.

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lagardais
lagardais

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

superb walk with no major difficulties.en juin sentier tres fleuri.beau point de vue.

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JL81700
JL81700

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very pleasant walk. Discover the landscapes, flora and vernacular architecture of the region.
Please note that the trail now starts from the hikers' car park and faces the entrance to the car park, whereas it used to be at the entrance to the village.

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