Le Roc Laurès starting from Douch

Park in the hikers' car park at the entrance to the hamlet.

(D/E ) Leave the car park by turning left to reach the heights of the hamlet of Douch. Before arriving at the Marcel Cèbe communal lodge, turn left at the signpost towards the Col du Tirondel via the GR® (red and white markings). The path climbs straight up between two dry stone walls. You will reach a fork about 50 metres further on. Leave the marked path and turn right onto the old drovers' road.

(1) Keep left at the faint fork in the path a few dozen metres further on: the GPX track may help. The path runs along the hillside halfway up the Tourelle hill, then descends gently until it reaches a confluence of streams in the shade of the trees.

(2) Turn right (east), cross the stream and begin the climb towards Roc Laurès. Head towards the summit, avoiding the gorse bushes: stick to the grassy areas and heathland. There are no markings, so follow the GPX track carefully. After 20 minutes, you will reach a more accessible pass between two rocky outcrops. Take the time to stop at this natural viewpoint and enjoy the 360° view around you.

(3) Head right onto the rocky outcrop and continue to the end of Roc Laurès, which offers a beautiful view of the village of Douch. Be careful when walking around the rocky outcrop, as some slopes are gentle (scree) while others are steeper (cliffs). It can be dangerous if you are not careful.

You are at an altitude of over 1,000 metres! Descend on the east side (there are impassable cliffs on the west side) via a grassy slope that descends into the scree towards the Ruisseau de Rousselle stream.

(4) Cross the stream and go to the other bank towards the grassy meadow of an old slate sheepfold. Go around the building on the left, then follow the path between the bushes and broom until you reach a drovers' road by the stream. Then go down the stream on the right bank. The slope climbs again, crossing an area of trees and dense vegetation for about 200 metres before opening out into fields. Descend on the left, towards the Church of Sainte-Marie de Douch, visible in the distance. The place is conducive to contemplation.

(5) Turn right. The climb back up to Douch can then be done either through the fields in "adventure" mode, using the GPX track and avoiding the gorse bushes (choice of route), or simply by following the tarmac road. Find the faint junction at the start after following a track parallel to the uphill path.

(1) Continue in the same direction. Turn left to return to the car park (S/E).

Very stony route (scree) around Roc Laurès. Remember to wear good shoes, preferably high-top to protect your ankles.

(2) Here, you can choose not to climb Roc Laurès, but to cut right along the Rousselle stream to reach the point (4) and the sheepfold directly.

Reminder: please comply with the regulations and park your vehicles only in the car park at the entrance to the hamlet. Parking on the small square near the bread oven and in the narrow streets is strictly reserved for permanent residents.

Water point in the hamlet of Douch, on the village square.

Partially accessible network, on the heights.

Hamlet of Douch.

Caroux and Espinouse plateaus, Rosis mountain.

Sainte-Marie de Douch Church, Bir-Hakeim Memorial.