The source of the Durzon and the Canalettes

A very interesting route, particularly concerning the Canalettes site. These are two ‘canoles’ – faults carved into the limestone of the Causses by erosion. These fractures are particularly deep at this point.
This walk also takes you to the source of the Durzon, which emerges as a resurgence. Similarly, the steep section at the Pas de la Mule, although short, is another highlight of this circular walk.

⚠️ The Canalettes fault site is closed annually from 1 October to 30 November by municipal order.

Details

n°15878692

Creation:
14 Oct 2021

Last update:
28 Sep 2026

Last review:
14 Sep 2026

Activity: Walking
Distance: 7.65 mi
Average duration: 4h 10
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 791 ft
Descent: - 781 ft
Highest point: 2,402 ft
Lowest point: 1,683 ft

Country: France
Areas: Massif central, Causse du Larzac
City: Nant (12230)
Start/End: N 43.996915° / E 3.285325°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2642OT
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Photos

Arch in the middle of the dolomite chaos

Description of the walk

From the stream, take the D 178 towards the Source du Dourzon. At the junction signposted ‘Mas du Pré’ on the left, there is a clearing. Park here.

Yellow markings throughout the entire walk.

(S/E) Take the road towards Mas du Pré. Walk for about 200 m and take the track on the right, following the yellow markings. This track becomes a path that crosses through the undergrowth and runs alongside the Durzon. You’ll come to a small bridge; continue straight on until you reach a Fork in the road.

(1) Take the path on the right to the Source du Durzon: the path on the left is the return route.

(2) After the resurgence, the path first turns left then right and climbs steeply to reach the causse.
You’ll reach a crossroads with a signpost.

(3) Do not turn left towards the Canalettes shelter; instead, take the path on the right which leads to a fenced-off rock shelter. Continue along the path on the left, marked in yellow. This passes in front of a magnificent arch and a pyramid-shaped rock. Continue to the Canalettes site.

(4) Take the first out-and-back path, then a second one, also out-and-back. Then rejoin the route until you reach a track.

(5) Turn left and walk for about 600 m.

(6) The signposting leaves the track and follows a path on the left. This passes in front of a cave and, shortly afterwards, rejoins the track which runs past the Canalettes Forest House.

(7) Shortly afterwards, turn left onto a path heading towards the Pas de la Mule.

(8) At the end of a hairpin bend, take the path branching off to the left and continue to a junction.

(9) Keep left, then turn right immediately and begin a steep descent. This is the Pas de la Mule, a series of rocks to climb over. You’ll emerge at the junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Take the path on the right which leads back to the starting car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,683 ft - Car park
1 : mi 1.02 - alt. 1,745 ft - Junction of the circular loop
2 : mi 1.55 - alt. 1,791 ft - Ascent towards the Causse
3 : mi 2.36 - alt. 2,254 ft - Path on the right
4 : mi 3.51 - alt. 2,277 ft - Les Canalettes site
5 : mi 4.46 - alt. 2,244 ft - Junction with track, on the left
6 : mi 4.87 - alt. 2,221 ft - Path on the left
7 : mi 5.4 - alt. 2,221 ft - Pas de la Mule Trail
8 : mi 5.7 - alt. 2,241 ft - Path on the left
9 : mi 6.06 - alt. 2,156 ft - Tricky junction: left-right
S/E : mi 7.65 - alt. 1,683 ft - Car park

Notes

Take care at the junction at WP (9): you must keep to the left and then turn right a few metres later to avoid taking the path on the left, which leads back to the outward route after the Dourzon resurgence. This junction does not appear on the IGN map, but if in doubt, consult OSM, which is more accurate in this case.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 45 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5

Route interest
4.8 / 5

CocoduPic

14 Sep 2026 at 09:17

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely walk we went on on Friday 11 September. Not many people out that day – just a few at Les Canaletes. A magical and spectacular spot!
There was a slight difficulty at the Pas de la Mule – it was a bit tricky to find.

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Le grandas

08 Jun 2026 at 18:58

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It’s very interesting due to the diversity of the vegetation and, above all, the intriguing little streams; the climb is a bit of a workout but short nonetheless.
Note that the Dorzon spring was under construction with access prohibited; as I explained to the site manager, there was no information at the start of the route, but after some discussion, we were given the go-ahead. Check with the town hall or tourist office beforehand.
Signposting on the ground is the opposite of what the author describes in point 3

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Le grandas

08 Jun 2026 at 18:55

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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superdadou

08 Jun 2026 at 08:34

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb walk, highly recommended in hot weather as it’s very shaded. Don’t miss a visit to the “canoles”, which are real geological curiosities. One slight downside was the lack of signposting (or perhaps we just didn’t see it) at the “Pas de la Mule”, which led to a few fruitless back-and-forths before we found the right path.
The climb after the source of the Durzon on the way out, and crossing the "Pas de la Mule" on the way back, are two tricky sections to tackle (we were 78 years old!!!), but what a lovely walk!!

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Dominique D3.

09 Oct 2025 at 10:53

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike done in September in good weather
A very beautiful hike. The descent and ascent are a little steep after the Durzon spring. There is a beautiful arch before you reach the Canalettes, which are stunningly beautiful. I loved the undergrowth – in short, everything. The hike is not difficult and is well worth exploring.

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brageole

02 Oct 2025 at 11:03

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

hello.
This is a very beautiful hike in a magnificent and unique setting, with a variety of landscapes.
there are two challenging sections (you need to use your hands), one on the climb up to the limestone plateau and a second on the descent. They are short and not particularly dangerous if you take a little care.
using a GPS is very useful.

IMPORTANT: access to the canalettes is prohibited from 1 October to 30 November 2025.

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User 8485438

09 Sep 2025 at 18:46

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful and interesting hike, fairly easy once you've climbed above the spring.
One detail to correct in the description of stage (3): the "abri des Canalettes" sign is on the right, not the left, and that is the direction you should follow. On the left is the MF des Canalettes, which you will pass on the way back.
stage (9): it is good to indicate "immediately", as it is easy to miss (but the mark is on a stone).

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User 14681907

28 Jul 2025 at 18:23 • Edited: 29 Jul 2025 at 13:02

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The map was inadequate and far too vague. For example, once we arrived at the Causse du Larzac, we had to turn left and follow the track to a fork, where there was indeed a sign indicating the direction to take (right).
It is also marked "shortly after the Maison Forestière".

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User 26682293

20 Jul 2025 at 18:20

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Hi everyone
GPS essential...
The spring has been badly damaged, the trees cut down, it's nothing like it used to be. But why?
The climb up to Les Canalettes is always a pleasure. It's the most interesting part for us because there's a special atmosphere there. Les Canalettes themselves are nothing special.
For those who hike with their dogs, like me, it's more than tricky if I follow @bececoste's route. We came across a farmer with cows and calves on the road and the path. We had to go into a field so as not to disturb them.
Since this situation can be easily avoided, I would recommend leaving the first car park indicated in the itinerary (the one by the small bridge that leads to Mas du Pré) and continuing along the D 178 to the end, i.e. to Mas de Pommier, where there is also a car park for several cars below, very close to the source of the Durzon.

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User 26435297

14 Jul 2025 at 16:01

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The map and description for the Canalettes hike were very useful. Well done and thank you very much.

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natureamour

07 Jun 2025 at 16:28

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We set off in the rain, and the weather remained a little misty, but with some sunny spells.
The canalettes are magnificent. All in all, a very nice walk.

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User 20688256

19 May 2025 at 18:10

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A fairly pleasant hike with no particular difficulties, easily accomplished.
Don't expect a spectacular 360° view; it's more of a pleasant woodland atmosphere.
The narrow channels are quite unique.
Good hike

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chephilor

02 Dec 2024 at 10:20

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

The proposed route allows visitors to discover the site of the source of the Durzon, but not the large arch and, above all, the canoles.
I will submit a new proposal to include these remarkable sites.

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Anoo

07 Oct 2024 at 09:40

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Good description. Hike completed in good weather, with the description, map and compass for fun. Using a GPS still clears up any doubts in some places. The descent at Pas de la Mule is nice, but challenging.
Thanks to the author

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Gege5644

18 Sep 2024 at 19:14

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A big thank you for this hike, which was indeed challenging on the way up and down, but which we simply loved... Also for that!
Everything was perfect, including the fact that there were hardly any other hikers on the entire trail and we were alone at all the remarkable sites... What a treat!
If I had just one comment to make, it would be that the "arch" point of interest seems to have been placed too early on the route and we thought for a long time that we had missed it... until we stumbled upon it!

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