The Lac de Laouzas loop from Fraïsse-sur-Agout

Park in Fraïsse-sur-Agoût in the car park in the centre of the village opposite the Tourist Office.

Signposting:
- from (S/E) to (3): this is the GRP® des Monts du Haut-Languedoc, marked in yellow and red.
- from (3) to (6): GR®653 marked in white and red.
- from (6) to (8): this is the D14E11 tarmac road with no markings.
- from (8) to (S/E): return via the GRP® des Monts du Haut-Languedoc, marked in yellow and red.

(S/E) Take the Route de Villelongue towards Lac de Laouzas. You will reach a hairpin bend.

(1) Leave the road and continue straight ahead on the path that follows it. Follow the GRP®. Pass a pond, then cross the Domaine du Pioch and continue straight ahead. You will reach the crossroads of the road leading to the hamlet of Cambaïssy. At the next fork, turn right.

(2) Keep right on the GRP®, then walk through the forest without leaving the GRP® until you reach the junction with the GR®653 at a DFCI water tank.

(3) Turn right onto the path shared by the GR®653 and GRP®. This path is also marked Tour du Lac. At the edge of the forest, follow the Villelongue road until you reach a Y-shaped crossroads.

(4) Leave the road and take a narrow lane lined with trees and low walls on the right to reach Villelongue. Walk past Villelongue church.

(5) Then turn right to continue on the marked Tour du Lac trail. Alternate between ascents and descents over a fairly long stretch before reaching a trail junction almost at the end of the lake.

(6) Take the path on the right, which is an unmarked shortcut, to quickly reach the D162C.

(7) Take it to the left for a few metres, then turn right onto the D14E11. Here, begin a long, easy climb, then cross three hamlets: Le Randy, La Ténézole, following the streams of the same name as these hamlets, then Le Peregas, the highest point of the hike. Now continue downhill to reach the hamlet of Les Hers. A few metres further on, you will rejoin the GRP® des Monts du Haut Languedoc.

(8) Take it to the right, then join the right bank of the Agout in a meander of this river.

Follow this bank until you reach the D14E11.

(10) Turn left onto this road, which also follows the GRP® trail, and follow it to the car park in Fraïsse-sur-Agout (S/E).

This hike is mostly shaded except for the section from (4) to (8).
It is therefore best avoided in hot weather

Tarmac roads are used from (S/E) to (1), from (6) to (8) and from (10) to (S/E)
However, these sections are still pleasant because these roads are rarely used by motor vehicles

Between (S/E) and (1): at a place called La Jasse, look out for a thousand-year-old beech tree on the right.
Between (1) and (2): see the private pond of Le Pioch.
Shortly after (2): observe the menhir shortly after the fork on the right.
Between (3) and (4): take time to visit La Jasse dal Baccut, which is in perfect condition and decorated with the shell insignia marking the Way of St James.