La Rocherousse

The 13th-century Church of Sainte-Hippolyte, destroyed by the Huguenots in 1562, was rebuilt in 1630. It is partly built of limestone tuff. Several quarries were located in the area near the streams.

Details

n°4387847

Creation:
30 Nov 2020

Last update:
21 Dec 2020

Last review:
01 Sep 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 5.15 mi
Average duration: 3h 10
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 915 ft
Descent: - 892 ft
Highest point: 2,913 ft
Lowest point: 2,090 ft

Country: France
Area: Massif central
City: Esclanèdes (48230)
Start/End: N 44.480818° / E 3.358434°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2638O
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Description of the walk

Start from Le Bruel station. Parking is available by the banks of the Lot.

(S/E) Cross the railway line to reach the station.

(1) Turn right and walk carefully along the N88 until you reach the level crossing.

(2) Just before this, head up the small road on the left. Take care. After the^first hairpin bend on the left, continue along the Route de Fiou.

(3) At the crossroads, turn right onto the path heading north-east. At the next junction, continue straight on heading due north, still on the wide track. Pass close to an antenna and under a power line.

(4) At another junction, at the tarmac road, head straight on along the road towards Rocherousse. In the hamlet, turn left.

(5) Take the wide path on the left which descends alongside pastures and woods, leaving the tracks on your right.

(6) Continue along the track, heading due south. The track performs a circular loop northwards before heading south again, leading to the hamlet of Marijoulet.

(7) In the hamlet, walk on to the cross and take the path on the left which leads to the village of Le Bruel.

(8) At this junction, turn left, heading due east. Further on, walk alongside the N88 on your right. Then, in Le Bruel, carefully cross the N88 and head to the station (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,090 ft - Edge of the - Lot (rivière)
1 : mi 0.05 - alt. 2,100 ft - Junction for the A/R route - Gare de Le Bruel N88
2 : mi 0.25 - alt. 2,110 ft - Level crossing. On the left
3 : mi 0.5 - alt. 2,208 ft - Turn right
4 : mi 1.35 - alt. 2,651 ft - Towards Rocherousse. Track/road junction
5 : mi 1.63 - alt. 2,881 ft - Rocherousse
6 : mi 2.39 - alt. 2,684 ft - Path junction
7 : mi 3.79 - alt. 2,208 ft - Marijoulet. Cross. On the left
8 : mi 4.16 - alt. 2,323 ft - Crossroads. Turn left
S/E : mi 5.15 - alt. 2,090 ft - Banks of the Lot

Worth a visit

Top pick
Don’t miss a stroll through the steep, narrow streets of Le Bruel, the main village in the commune of Esclanèdes.

Things to see:
A stony transhumance track, once used by mule drivers, descends from the Causse de Sauveterre, passing close to the hamlet of Les Crottes. It runs alongside the Mazet farm, crosses Esclanèdes and Le Bruel, and heads due north towards the Col de Vielbouge. It crosses the beautiful bridge over the Lot, built in the 16th century for the bishop travelling to his residence: the Château de Chanac.

The old road ran along the left bank to reach the heart of Chanac. The current route of the A20 is contemporary with this route.

Natural and heritage points of interest along the route:

Limestone cliffs,
Numerous crosses,
Viewpoint over the Lot Valley,
Fountain near the oven to the left of the road,
Village oven in Marijoulet,

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5

Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5

Route interest
4 / 5

ch16089

01 Sep 2025 at 15:10 7200

At RocheRousse, the suggested route and the signposting are inconsistent.
The markings cross the hamlet instead of going around it to the north.
200 metres after the hamlet, the signposts indicate that you should continue along the track, whereas the route takes the path to the left of the track at the edge of the forest (this path seems to be little used, and in places the vegetation obstructs the passage).

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PasN@th18

24 Jun 2025 at 14:52 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route, with the elevation gain at the start, followed by an easy ride.

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christianLPDS

22 May 2023 at 08:31 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

clearly marked in yellow
Take care at the start. Park at the edge of the Lot for safety reasons; avoid parking at the side of the A88. Take a very tight right-hand bend when you reach the bus stop and go through the tunnel to park.

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contemplatif

16 May 2022 at 20:47 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We went for a walk today; it was perfect up to Rocherousse, but after that we struggled to find the right path. It’s true that the yellow markings led us astray, and we carried on along the track which took us into the forest. Not knowing whether this track would take us back to the starting point, we decided to turn back. On the bright side, the forest was magnificent. It should therefore be made very clear that, on leaving Rocherousse, you must head down to the far left and ignore the yellow markings. For those who are interested, the forest track eventually rejoins the route before point 7, and the walk is very pleasant.
Contemplative
16-05-22

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lenouh974

15 May 2021 at 17:37 7200 • Edited: 15 May 2021 at 17:38 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely circular walk that I really enjoyed throughout the first section (up to Marijoulet), even though I did it in the rain! Completed it in 2 hours and 10 minutes at a good pace.
A good climb up to Rocherousse, but the terrain was very easy to walk on throughout.
At Rocherousse, I followed the yellow markings through the village, which led me onto a clear forest track, running parallel to the main path, until I reached the junction. I wonder if this track isn’t actually more scenic, as you can enjoy views on both sides of the valley.
I couldn’t find the cross at Marijoulet and just followed the trail.
Next time I’ll do a circular route via this track to return to Rocherousse along the trail and head back down to Le Bruel via the same route as on the way up, as the Marijoulet–Le Bruel section is of little interest.

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