The Chemin des Légendes and its thousand steps

Above Riols, this trail takes you by the hand through the Somail mountains, explaining, marker after marker, schist and gneiss, menhirs and dolmens, and of course the legend of the Saut de Vézoles. A tough climb but well worth it. A magnificent hike.

Details

369591
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.18 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 635 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 635 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,010 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 460 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park between the hamlets of Falgouze and Langlade.

(S/E) From the car park, turn right and head towards the village of Langlade. Take the upper road (GR®77) and continue along the path that climbs through the chestnut grove for 1.5 km, then descends to cross the stream. Climb 25 m under the pine trees to a small clearing.

(1) Take the Sentier des Gardes trail on the left. This trail overlooks the Gorges du Bureau and joins the stream. Take the stone steps on the right and begin the long climb (Sentier des Mille Marches) that leads to the plateau (some sections are tricky in wet weather, so use the safety chains). You will arrive opposite Lac de Vézoles and the dam (viewpoint over the Saut de Vézoles, a geological fault in the Ruisseau du Bureau). You can visit Lac de Vésoles.

(2) Join thePR® "Le Tour du Lac de Vézoles" and theGR®7. Before the road, turn left onto the path. Continue for 300 metres through the heathland. At Rocher de l'Oreille d'Aze, take the straight path on the left through the pine forest. Continue along the path that passes the viewpoint over the Gorges du Bureau. Continue until you reach a forest road.

(3) Take the track, the Cabarétou forest road, on the left. At the crossroads just after, ignore the tracks on the right. Pass the Fontaine des Cabanes and after 1.5 km, you will arrive at the Col des Bœufs.

(4) From the pass, descend for 2.5 km along the track on the left, which zigzags to the Col des Sept Frères.

(5) At the pass, take the first path on the left (follow the signs carefully!). It descends through a forest of oak and beech trees for 3 km. Pass a large pond, cross the hamlet of Falgouze and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 466 m - Parking between the hamlets of Falgouze and Langlade.
  2. 1 : km 1.36 - alt. 646 m - Sentier des Gardes
  3. 2 : km 3.1 - alt. 978 m - Lake Vézoles
  4. 3 : km 4.8 - alt. 930 m - Cabarétou forest road
  5. 4 : km 6.29 - alt. 963 m - Col des Boeufs (963m)
  6. 5 : km 8.91 - alt. 668 m - Col des Sept Frères (670m)
  7. S/E : km 11.18 - alt. 466 m - Parking between the hamlets of Falgouze and Langlade

Notes

YellowPR® signposting

Please note: there are few parking spaces between the hamlets of Falgouze and Langlade.

This is a magnificent hike, but it is for experienced walkers as the climb is quite steep. I do not recommend it for young children or dogs due to some difficult sections.

Worth a visit

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.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 69 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Christine Caïos Baixauli
Christine Caïos Baixauli

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, a bit challenging and physically demanding, but what a joy to have done it. I would not recommend it with children.

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User 3134945

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike that is a little more difficult in the first few kilometres, but the varied landscapes are well worth the effort. Especially in autumn, when the colours are magnificent.

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Alain Pa
Alain Pa

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A physically demanding but very safe hike, feasible even with children as long as you take your time

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lilouwe
lilouwe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We left at 8 a.m. and made the climb without any problems despite the scorching heat, as the sun was still too low to reach the gorge.
The climb is physically demanding but superb. A multitude of waterfalls provide welcome refreshment.
Take the time to walk to the lake and go to the dam bridge to see the other side of the Vezoles waterfall.

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User 24434528

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk through the gorges with the waterfall in the background throughout. There are steps, but also a winding balcony path which is very pleasant.
The tour around the lake is not worth doing.

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User 19581963

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful in the first part with views of several waterfalls. It is not recommended for children or people who are not used to walking, but it is not particularly technical either: there are a few streams to cross over stones, I had to use my hands twice, and I used the small handrails (not essential but reassuring for some). Very well signposted (the route on the map seems to leave the Chemin des Légendes but you must stay on it - yellow markings). The lake is not very interesting. Return through heather and juniper bushes, then a wide, pleasant forest path. Done in 4 hours.

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pobalski
pobalski

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike despite the fog, so definitely worth doing again...
Being in good shape is highly recommended, especially for the first 3 km, but the beauty of the landscape is well worth the effort.

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MontagneXplorer
MontagneXplorer
• Edited:

This hike is truly superb. It should be renamed the waterfall trail because there are so many of them, each one more beautiful than the last. The climb is quite challenging but the beauty is guaranteed!

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Bernard34150
Bernard34150

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike that is well worth the effort. All of the elevation gain is at the start of the hike, 750 metres over approximately 4 kilometres, with lots of steps, so you'll be glad to reach the plateau at Lake Vésole.Picnic around the lake. It's a shame that cars and camper vans are allowed access to the lake. I seem to remember that a few years ago, cars weren't allowed and you had to park in car parks not far away, which gave it a wilder feel.

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SenseiFBB
SenseiFBB

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent and challenging circuit, accessible to those with a good level of fitness.
Did it on Sunday 13 October with a well-trained senior group. Some of the stream crossings would benefit from a rope for support as the rocks are slippery.
Very pleasant return trip.

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Fernandez Benjamin
Fernandez Benjamin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

One of the most beautiful trails in the region. It's definitely worth the effort. We took the last third before the lake in stages to catch our breath. But it's so beautiful! As we're not getting any younger, it took us 7 hours.
Don't do it in rainy weather, as it can quickly become dangerous.
One question: I saw elsewhere that there is a path called Fontaine des Cabanes leading to the thousand steps. Is it passable? The route is easy to follow and well signposted throughout.
Thank you and enjoy your walks.

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bearn34
bearn34

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An interesting but rather long route.
Be careful in wet weather.
The descent into the canyon is a bit dangerous.
A very interesting geological site.

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Sophie3134
Sophie3134

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very easy trail to follow, very well marked.
After a pleasant climb along the river and its many waterfalls (at the end of May), you arrive at the lake and descend via the forest track. The second part isn't very interesting after the viewpoint. But the first part is definitely worth a look. All the elevation gain and difficulty (a few sections where you need to use cables) are in the first part.

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megane38
megane38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An exceptional hike! Lots of steps, but so rewarding... Magnificent waterfalls followed by views stretching for miles over the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees! The trail is not very busy and the waterfalls are full at this time of year.
A lovely viewpoint during the descent allows you to appreciate the path you climbed from afar!
However, the descent through the forest is loooong and not very interesting... But there is no other way!

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lopezraphael
lopezraphael

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

It was my third time and I enjoyed it as much as the first two times.
It was harder because I'm getting older.

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