The source of the Durzon and the Canalettes

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Important: access to the Canalettes is prohibited from 1 October to 30 November 2025.

This is a very interesting route, particularly in relation to the Canalettes site. These are two canoles, faults carved into the limestone of the causses due to erosion. These fractures are particularly deep at this location.
This hike also takes you to the source of the Durzon, which takes the form of a resurgence. Similarly, the steep Pas de la Mule pass, although short, is another special feature of this circular.

Details

n°15878692
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.31 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 241 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 238 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 732 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 513 m
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Photos

Skull rock!
The channels
Arch in the middle of the dolomite chaos
Canalettes

Description of the walk

From stream, take the D 178 towards the Source du Durzon. At the crossroads for "Mas du Pré" on the left, there is a clearing. Park here.

Yellow markings throughout the entire hike.

(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 undergrowth and runs alongside the Durzon. You will come to a small bridge; continue straight ahead until you reach a fork.

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

after the resurgence, the path turns sharply left and climbs steeply to reach the causse.
You will reach a crossroads with a signpost.

(3) Do not turn left towards the Canalettes shelter, but take the path on the right which leads to a sheltered rock shelter with a wire mesh roof. 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 path there and back, then the second path there and back. Then continue along the route until you reach a track.

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

(6) The markings leave the track for a path on the left. This passes in front of a cave and shortly afterwards rejoins the track that passes in front of the Canalettes Forest House.

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

(8) At the end of a hairpin bend, take the path on the left and continue to a crossroads.

(9) Keep left, then immediately turn right and begin a steep descent. This is Pas de la Mule, a series of rocks to climb. You will come out at the junction from the outward journey.

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

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 513 m - Parking area
  2. 1 : km 1.64 - alt. 532 m - Crossing the circular
  3. 2 : km 2.49 - alt. 546 m - Ascent to the Causse
  4. 3 : km 3.8 - alt. 687 m - Path on the right
  5. 4 : km 5.65 - alt. 694 m - Canalettes site
  6. 5 : km 7.17 - alt. 684 m - Track junction, on the left
  7. 6 : km 7.84 - alt. 677 m - Path on the left
  8. 7 : km 8.69 - alt. 677 m - Pas de la Mule trail
  9. 8 : km 9.18 - alt. 683 m - Path on the left
  10. 9 : km 9.75 - alt. 657 m - Tricky junction: left-right
  11. S/E : km 12.31 - alt. 513 m - Parking area

Notes

Be careful at the WP junction (9): keep left and then right a few metres later to avoid taking the path on the left which leads to the outward route after the Dourzon resurgence. This junction is not shown 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 41 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
Dominique D3.
Dominique D3.

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
brageole

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

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
• Edited:

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

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

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
natureamour

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

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
chephilor

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
Anoo

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
Gege5644

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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Ma Mie
Ma Mie

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike that is a bit challenging and best done between May and September, as it can become slippery when wet.
The channels are truly amazing.
There is a third channel parallel to the other two. If anyone knows where it is, it would be interesting to know.
Thanks.

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le Gaulois d'Oc
le Gaulois d'Oc

No descent???

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J.P. Rando LGM
J.P. Rando LGM

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike to recommend on hot, sunny days, as 80% of the route is in the shade. Don't miss the canalettes
please note: there is a challenging 250 m climb over 1 km. The rest is easy.

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le Gaulois d'Oc
le Gaulois d'Oc

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hiking in ideal weather.
For us, the climb after the resurgence and the mule pass were very challenging!
I was struggling with my hip and knee.
A very beautiful hike that I would recommend without hesitation.
Arches, caves, etc....all waiting to be discovered.

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