Col de la Mothe from Montgaillard-de-Salies

de fr

A pleasant walk on quiet roads, mainly on the heights, offering beautiful views of the Cornudère ridge and the Cagire, after passing through a beautiful forest. Then, the descent along the Arbas, to the sound of running water, should charm walkers. Please respect the gates.

Details

n°72622745
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.51 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 443 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 436 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,411 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,053 ft
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Description of the walk

Arriving from Mane via the D13i, Route des Menès, park in the car park of the picnic area on the banks of the Arbas.

(S/E) Head north-east up the D13i, pass the two farms and arrive at a right-hand bend.

(1) Follow the track to the left, towards the forest, Chemin de la Piste de Montaut, until you reach a fork.

(2) Turn right and continue along the same forest track until you reach Malet farm.

(3) Go straight ahead, then take Chemin de Cazala opposite and arrive at the farm in the hamlet of Oudorte.

(4) Cross this farm; the signposts will reassure you at this point. Continue to the right, south, until you reach a fork.

(5) At the Col de la Lamothe sign, continue straight ahead, heading south-west, along Chemin du Col de Lamothe, until you reach a road.

(6) Turn left onto Route du Pont de Prades and follow this road until it joins Route du Château Compans.

(7) Take this road on the left, taking care as there is heavy traffic, and head towards the River Arbas, without crossing the bridge.

(8) Turn left and follow the left bank of the Arbas as closely as possible. Pass to the left of Montgaillard-de-Salies and head for the car park at the picnic area (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,056 ft - Parking at the picnic area.
  2. 1 : mi 0.57 - alt. 1,191 ft - Fork in the road
  3. 2 : mi 0.85 - alt. 1,263 ft - Fork
  4. 3 : mi 1.72 - alt. 1,211 ft - Malet Farm
  5. 4 : mi 2.28 - alt. 1,270 ft - Oudorte Farm
  6. 5 : mi 2.49 - alt. 1,296 ft - Fork
  7. 6 : mi 2.98 - alt. 1,342 ft - Route du Pont de Prades
  8. 7 : mi 4.15 - alt. 1,096 ft - Route du Château Compans
  9. 8 : mi 4.24 - alt. 1,096 ft - Left bank of the - Arbas (rivière) - Affluent du Salat
  10. S/E : mi 5.51 - alt. 1,056 ft - Parking at the picnic area.

Worth a visit

Pont de Prades Castle.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
legna
legna

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An easy, refreshing, enjoyable and informative walk. Easy, with no steep climbs, and of a length suitable for everyone, young and old alike. Refreshing, like all walks in the great outdoors, far from urban pollution. Enjoyable because it’s varied: passing through farmland, woodland and along a stream. Informative, with well-designed educational panels along the Atbas at the end of the route.
The only downside: some very muddy sections due to the heavy rain in the preceding days, but the trail marker is not to blame. We (there were three of us, young and old) recommend this walk.

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larochenet
larochenet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route: even though there are sections on small roads (very small roads with very little traffic: I only saw one car).
No difficulties – you still need to wear good shoes – everything is clearly marked in the app. Great weather at the beginning of March. And a charming end to the route.
Thank you for sharing.

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PATRICE31800
PATRICE31800

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello everyone. Today's hike took place in beautiful, cool weather. We set off from the small car park at the town hall, as the picnic area car park was very muddy, so we took the route at the bottom of the Arbas bridge. It was a lovely hike, well described, with beautiful views of the surrounding peaks. However, the forest trail was very muddy in places, which is to be expected given the weather over the last few days. Thank you for sharing.

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