Lac de la Gourde via the Santa Fé path

A pleasant, shaded walk in summer that takes you to Lac de la Gourde from the Pareloup leisure centre.

Details

14342368
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.65 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 129 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 135 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 848 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 733 m

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Pareloup water sports centre.

(S/E) Take the road towards the dam for about 200 m and turn left onto the road that climbs up to the hamlet of Fouletiés.

(1) At the entrance to the hamlet, take the first small tarmac road on the right, pass between the farm buildings (Montlait sign) and follow the yellow markings. At the exit of the farmyard, take the path lined with holly hedges, then the small path that descends gently to the right.

Be careful, as there is a very wet and overgrown section of the path: walk along the edge of the field to rejoin the wider path lined with hedges 50 metres further on (yellow markings).

(2) At the crossroads (Santa Fé information sign), continue straight ahead. The path then enters the forest and descends to the Vioulou stream. Continue to follow the yellow markings.

(3) Cross the Vioulou and climb up the other side. Continue to follow the yellow markings. The path makes hairpin bends under the high-voltage power line: a shortcut following the power line allows you to climb straight up.

(4) After the second hairpin bend, a small path leads to the Grotte de Foinou (5 mins there and back, but steep!). Continue along the marked path, ignoring those that branch off to the left and right.

(5) Once you reach the small car park at Lac de la Gourde, take the path on the left that descends towards the lake. Go around the lake on the left, pass under the dam and climb up the other side to reach the bird observatory.

(6) Retrace your steps back to the car park.

(5) Descend opposite via the small tarmac road towards Lac de Pareloup (yellow markings). At the three-way junction, turn right towards the dam.

(7) Cross the dam. Immediately afterwards, turn left onto the small path (yellow markings) that runs alongside the lake and returns to Pareloup. At the boat ramp, head back up to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 817 m - Pareloup car park
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 839 m - Fouletiès hamlet
  3. 2 : km 1.16 - alt. 817 m - Santa Fé junction
  4. 3 : km 2.77 - alt. 737 m - Ford at - Vioulou (rivière)
  5. 4 : km 3.37 - alt. 759 m - Foinou Cave
  6. 5 : km 4.4 - alt. 823 m - Car park at - Lac de la Gourde
  7. 6 : km 5.42 - alt. 809 m - Bird observatory
  8. 7 : km 7.02 - alt. 805 m - Dam - Lac de Pareloup
  9. S/E : km 7.65 - alt. 816 m - Pareloup car park

Notes

Yellow markings (PR®) throughout the route except between (5) and (6) at Lac de la Gourde.

The path is wet in places even in midsummer, particularly between points (1) and (2), and between (2) and (3) (descent towards Le Vioulou).

Worth a visit

(4) Toinou Cave (hermit from the beginning of the century).

(6) Bird observatory: best visited at the start or end of the day and in autumn for bird watching.

(7) Pareloup dam.

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

4.7 / 5
Based on 13 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Jack42
Jack42
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk along lovely paths and trails, most of which are shaded. A short stop at the bird observatory at Lac de la Gourde.
The cave isn’t particularly well signposted: at landmark 4, take the path that climbs to the left, then when you reach the rocks, go down a short, steep slope.

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Jack42
Jack42

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk along lovely paths and trails. A quick stop at the bird observatory at Lac de la Gourde.
However, there was quite a long drive back to Le Canet de Salars.

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Fernandez Benjamin
Fernandez Benjamin

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We tried to go around Lake Gourde but were unsuccessful. However, the suggested route can be extended after point 6 and take in the area known as Conquettes. Mas Viel.

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User 26795351

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike accessible to everyone.

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jamarnaud
jamarnaud

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike in May, so not many people around.

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manonroro
manonroro

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short hike with no particular difficulties.

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SophieA34
SophieA34

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in the forest with a river in the middle and lakes at the end. Be careful, however, as the ground can sometimes be a bit muddy and slippery.

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Lolubuss
Lolubuss
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, shaded walk, with the option of swimming at the end. A real treat in summer.

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JDB
JDB

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy hike, done in the morning. Trail shaded by trees, which was much appreciated as it was starting to get hot.
We followed the Santa Fé trail, starting from the Pareloup-Arvieu car park. Lake Gourde is busier than the start of the walk because it is very close to Pareloup by road and the dam.
When we arrived, we went for a swim in Lake Pareloup as it is right next to the car park.

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Vincent Boit
Vincent Boit

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very enjoyable hike for three people with no problems, including an 11-year-old child of average fitness.

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Brunolebelge
Brunolebelge

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Easy and enjoyable route

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jaja12
jaja12

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful walks

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Happy Walker
Happy Walker

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A shaded hike that must be pleasant in summer. The route is easy, but there are still some steep climbs. The arrival at Lac de la Gourde provides a feeling of calm. Note the installation of numerous pontoons for fishermen.

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