The hamlet of Fretma from Nivoliers

de fr

An easy hike on the Causse Méjan starting from Nivoliers via La Bégude Blanche and La Fretma, a remarkably restored hamlet on the Causse. TheGR®60passes through the wide open spaces reserved for Przewalski's horses... but you'll need a bit of luck to spot them!

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.82 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 258 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 249 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,153 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 956 m
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Photos

Hamlet of Fretma
La Fretma

Description of the walk

You can park your car at the entrance to the village where theGR®60passes (be careful not to obstruct traffic).

(S/E) Follow theGR®60(red and white markings) southwards. Leave the hamlet behind you as you climb.

(1) After about 500 m, at a fork, take the path that descends slightly to the right (due south). Climb up to the double gate of the horse paddocks.

(2) Pass through this gate between the two fences and continue along theGR® for about 300 metres.

(3) Turn left onto the forest path towards La Bégude Blanche (leaving theGR®). Continue straight ahead (west-southwest) and you will soon reach this Causse farmhouse, which is awaiting restoration (you can walk around it).

(4) At the corner of the buildings, turn left. Continue straight ahead along the Travers de Aures, heading first south-west then south. Climb gently, pass a sort of pass and descend south then south-west.

(5) At the entrance to a sharp right-hand bend, turn left at an acute angle. After about 200 m, when the main path turns right, continue straight ahead (north-east). Keep going in this direction until you reach the edge of a forest (elevation 1085).

(6) Then turn right and stay on the edge of the forest. Join theGR®60and follow it to the right.

(7) At the next intersection, leave theGR® trail towards Aures/Galli and take the path on the left that enters the forest. At the crossroads (elevation 1126), go straight ahead. Stay on the main path, heading north-northeast, and ignore the side paths.

(8) At the crossroads, take the road on the left which climbs slightly for 500 m before descending again. Discover the site of Fretma, a remarkably restored hamlet.

(9) Cross the hamlet of Fretma. The path continues straight ahead (information sign) and enters a wood. Cross this wood, heading south-east. Continue through an area of meadows with a fire hydrant in the middle.

(10) Join theGR®60and follow it to the right.

(3) At the crossroads you took on the way out, continue straight ahead.

(2) Pass through the gate between the horse fences again. Then follow theGR®60trail in the opposite direction to the one you took on the way there, until you reach Nivolliers (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 956 m - Entrance to - Nivoliers
  2. 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 988 m - Trail start
  3. 2 : km 1.87 - alt. 1,063 m - Przewalski's horse enclosure
  4. 3 : km 2.27 - alt. 1,054 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  5. 4 : km 2.6 - alt. 1,042 m - La Bégude Blanche
  6. 5 : km 5.23 - alt. 1,036 m - Fork
  7. 6 : km 6.89 - alt. 1,090 m - Crossroads at the edge of the forest
  8. 7 : km 7.63 - alt. 1,138 m - Intersection
  9. 8 : km 10.03 - alt. 1,129 m - Crossroads
  10. 9 : km 10.91 - alt. 1,139 m - Fretma
  11. 10 : km 12.12 - alt. 1,106 m - T-junction
  12. S/E : km 14.82 - alt. 956 m - Entrance to - Nivoliers

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.

Downloads
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Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
huito
huito

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Completed using the app. But at point 3, you need to go to the right.
Start on a stony climb after a pleasant circuit.

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gbg
gbg

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy walk in overcast and windy weather. We didn't see any horses.

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manonroro
manonroro

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Magnificent scenery, very beautiful and easy hike.

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ethee
ethee

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 09, 2024
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 magnificent landscapes and autumn colours.
What a beautiful hamlet!

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Grand Fanch
Grand Fanch

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk with beautiful views of the Causse. We even saw horses! Thank you for the route.

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didqnk83
didqnk83

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk to explore the Causse Méjean plateau, no difficulty, but unfortunately we didn't see any Przewalski's horses! A beautiful walk under the blazing sun.

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