The Chemin des Raspes

A beautiful hike starting from Ayssènes in the little-known Tarn region, culminating at the Notre-Dame-du-Désert chapel. Beautiful panoramic views of the Gorges du Tarn and the Lévézou hills.
Despite numerous shaded sections, avoid doing this hike in the heat of the day or in wet weather due to the significant elevation gain.

Details

3470234
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.55 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 731 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 742 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 487 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 263 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the tourist car park 50 m after the entrance to the village of Ayssènes, as the spaces in the village itself, at the Chestnut Museum, are reserved for residents.

(S/E) Enter the village and continue to the crossroads by the church.

(1) Turn right onto the path that descends, following the yellow markings towards the mill. Cross the Vernobre stream over the small bridge. Then climb up on the left-hand side to the Route des Oustals. Turn left onto this road and continue to the hamlets of Oustals-Cremats.

(2) At the cross, turn left onto the path. Continue until you reach the road at the hamlet of Le Pouget.

(3) Continue along the road for a few metres, then turn left onto the shaded path. Pass over the penstock that supplies the Pouget Power Station. Continue slightly downhill and rejoin the tarmac road at a hairpin bend above Le Truel.

(4) Turn left onto this road and continue downhill to reach Le Truel. At the crossroads by the town hall, turn left onto Rue de la Cité, cross the Tarn, keep left and you will soon come to a crossroads by the municipal campsite and lodge.

(5) Turn right onto the path and begin a steady climb through the woods, ending at the entrance to the village of La Romiguière.
Follow the markings and turn right around the village of La Romiguière to reach the viewpoint near the church.

(6) Head back down towards the main street, then don't miss the fork 50 metres further down. Turn left into the woods and walk through the undergrowth to a place called Le Roujac, which you will reach at the crossroads leading to an isolated house marked 'Private Property'.

(7) Descend along a small path, taking care as it is not well maintained and is cluttered with branches on the ground, then brambles and grass. Zigzag your way down and follow a few bends to reach the Ruisseau de Genève stream. Cross it and you will reach the hamlets of La Balmayrie. Turn left onto the D31 at La Balmayrié Basse.

(8) Turn right onto the uphill path. Pass under the power lines and reach the village of La Fosse.

(9) Cross the village, continue along the tarmac road and reach the Gare des Raspes railway station.

(10) Turn left to reach Notre-Dame du Désert.

(11) Walk around it and enjoy the site and the view. Return to the previous crossroads.

(10) Take the small path on the left indicated by the sign for Ayssènes. Take this path with caution as it is quite steep until you reach the tarmac road. Turn right and continue to the Verdalle suspension bridge over the Tarn.

(12) Turn left onto it, then follow the D510 which runs alongside the Tarn. You will reach the crossroads at the confluence of the Vernobre stream.

(13) Leave the road and take the path on the left leading up to Roc de Saint-Jean and its panoramic platform. Continue on, enter Ayssènes, pass the museum and then the town hall. Follow the street to the initial crossroads you passed on the way there.

(1) Opposite, take the same route as on the way out to return to the Ayssènes tourist car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 392 m - Tourist car park
  2. 1 : km 0.13 - alt. 381 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 0.94 - alt. 461 m - Oustals-Cremats
  4. 3 : km 1.81 - alt. 471 m - Hamlet of Le Pouget
  5. 4 : km 4.14 - alt. 328 m - Le Truel road junction
  6. 5 : km 5.42 - alt. 275 m - Municipal campsite and lodge
  7. 6 : km 6.44 - alt. 483 m - Village of La Romiguière
  8. 7 : km 7.9 - alt. 390 m - Place known as Le Roujac
  9. 8 : km 9.14 - alt. 329 m - Hamlets of La Balmayrie
  10. 9 : km 10.81 - alt. 445 m - Village of La Fosse
  11. 10 : km 11.48 - alt. 450 m - Gare des Raspes
  12. 11 : km 11.73 - alt. 464 m - Notre-Dame le Désert
  13. 12 : km 12.54 - alt. 299 m - Verdalle suspension bridge over the - Tarn (rivère)
  14. 13 : km 13.91 - alt. 299 m - Pied d'Ayssènes
  15. S/E : km 14.55 - alt. 388 m - Tourist car park

Notes

(6) Water point and toilets at La Romiguière.
(10) Water point and toilets at La Gare des Raspes.

Worth a visit

Several points along the route offer magnificent views:
(2) Les Oustals.
(3) Le Pouget, then the passage over the power station's penstocks.
(4) The arrival at Le Truel and its bridge.
(6) The reward comes after the tough climb up La Romiguière: this is the highest point of the hike.
(11) The site of Notre-Dame du Désert is truly remarkable; don't hesitate to explore every corner!
(S/E) The small village of Ayssènes is also very picturesque.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
pascal2002
pascal2002

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 : Yes

A magnificent route with superb views. I will do it again and highly recommend it.

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laury
laury

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Shaded route with beautiful views of Les Raspes.

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veronique974
veronique974

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

No particular difficulties, but watch out for vipers sleeping on the path. More frightening than dangerous, but keep an eye out. Overcast weather and rain on arrival.

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Cenona
Cenona

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The hike is physically demanding as there are constant ascents and descents throughout the route. Beautiful views of the Tarn.
We did it in very hot weather and ran out of water. The estimated time is accurate, if slightly pessimistic. Great memories!!!

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club de belcastel
club de belcastel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's a fantastic hike, challenging but very beautiful.

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Ricovert
Ricovert

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike is rated as moderate. I would say it is more difficult than that. The section between Le Truel and La Rémiguière is particularly challenging. It is a long, vertical wall. Bring plenty of water in hot weather.

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CLDudu63
CLDudu63

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2021
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 with some lovely views, it was wonderful to see the Tarn from every angle.
And very clear directions, thank you!

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Raven 81340
Raven 81340

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with beautiful scenery on the Raspes du Tarn

Nice climb towards La Romiguière between points 5 and 6 to warm up

Be careful on the descent from Notre Dame du Désert to the Verdalle bridge, points 11 and 12, as the path is very narrow and slippery in wet weather. Bring suitable equipment

I really liked the final section between 13 and the path that climbs back up to the starting point, arriving at the Ayssènes viewpoint

It took us 4½ hours

To be repeated in warmer weather.

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Sandrine59
Sandrine59

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with a superb view at the Notre Dame du Désert church. We had trouble finding the rock because we let our attention slip; the hike was almost over for us, so pay close attention to the markings at this spot. We took a path overlooking the rock with a handrail at one point, only to turn back because it was impossible to continue! The Roc is tough!

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McGus
McGus

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Villages and hamlets full of character, remnants of terraced farming and beautiful views of the Tarn gorges.
Fortunately, most of the route is shaded, providing relief from the intense heat of late July.
The water points were useful.

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Neutenq
Neutenq

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did this hike shortly before the route was created on this website.
It is a very beautiful hike with easily accessible paths. Significant elevation changes make the hike quite challenging at times. I am thinking in particular of the hill after the Truel bridge, the descent after the chapel and the hill before Ayssènes.
There are panoramic views of the Raspes, a place that is much less well known but just as interesting as the Gorges du Tarn.
If you want to go for a swim after the hike, you can do so in the river below Ayssènes or you can go to Pinet, about ten minutes away by car.
Thank you!

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