The Abbé Coste trail

Built during the time of the Hospitallers, the granary tower of Viala-du-Pas-de-Jaux is the starting point for this circular loop through a sumptuous agropastoral landscape. Formed by karst erosion, the cirque of Saint-Paul-des-Fonts, village of the botanist Hippolyte Coste to whom an area is dedicated, offers a breathtaking spectacle.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.16 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 345 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 345 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 850 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 533 m

Description of the walk

White and red markings forthe GR® 71C

(S/E) From the tower, head east and take the small road on the right, then turn left onto a wide farm track called Rue then Chemin de Fontrome.

(1) After ignoring a path on the left, take the path on the right 50 metres further on. Continue on the right until you meet another path.

(2) At the fork, turn right. When you reach the road, head left towards Mas-Baldy. At the end of the hamlet, continue left along Route de la Fage. Follow this road for about 800 metres.

(3) At the end of a bend, turn right onto the path that joins a sunken lane lined with box hedges. It leads to the heights of the Saint-Paul-des-Fonts cirque (view of the entire cirque and village). Descend via the stony path that zigzags down the wooded slope. Cross the stream and continue towards the village of Saint-Paul-des-Fonts.

(4) Turn left towards La Coste. After this hamlet, continue along the path, which zigzags a few times. Ignore a path that comes up on the left. Further on, at a fork, turn left and you will reach a road.

YellowPR® markings

(5) On the causse: view of the Vialette farm, a remnant of the former estate belonging to the commandery of Sainte-Eulalie-de-Cernon.
Leave theGR®, which continues to the right, take the road on the left for 500 m, then take the track on the right. Follow it northwards.

(6) At the crossroads, turn left and head towards the pine forest (follow the markings carefully). Go around the pine forest on the right towards the north.

(7) At the picnic area, take the path closest to the road to leave the woods. At the end of the path, turn right and join the D23 at a water trough. Take the D23 on the left with caution to return to Viala-du-Pas-de-Jaux (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 809 m - Tour-grenier car park
  2. 1 : km 0.84 - alt. 793 m - Path on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.22 - alt. 795 m - Fork - right branch
  4. 3 : km 2.57 - alt. 794 m - Path on the right
  5. 4 : km 4.83 - alt. 535 m - Entrance to Saint-Paul des Fonts
  6. 5 : km 6.33 - alt. 766 m - Road on the left
  7. 6 : km 8.98 - alt. 829 m - Crossroads
  8. 7 : km 9.91 - alt. 794 m - Picnic area
  9. S/E : km 12.16 - alt. 809 m - Tour-grenier car park

Worth a visit

Please note: the descent to Saint-Paul des Fonts, in the middle of the Aubaygue ravine, is not suitable for everyone. The subsequent climb is also not suitable for everyone.

 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

4.8 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 21313126

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Poor signage in St Paul des Fonds
The left turn in the middle of the village is not clearly marked

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User 21313126
• Edited:

Marking

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victoriris
victoriris

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We started the hike from the village of Saint Paul des Fonds and headed left. The climb seemed gentler, which turned out to be true. Beautiful views of the cirque and arrival on the plateau with beautiful bushes, birdsong and lots of orchids. We had a picnic at Viala de Pas de Jaux. The descent to Saint Paul des Fonds was quite rocky, but we enjoyed more beautiful views of the cirque. It is best to have the Visorando app if you are doing the hike in the other direction.
A very beautiful hike under a beautiful blue sky and 22 degrees.

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Lune11
Lune11

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 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 superb scenery on the descent to Saint Paul des Fonts.

The elevation gain is concentrated on the descent and ascent to Saint Paul des Fonts; the rest of the hike is almost flat. We were a group of 12 and no one had any problems either on the descent or the ascent, as we were well shod and everyone went at their own pace. Admittedly, it's not for everyone, but it's perfectly manageable for people who hike regularly.

If you have time, the guided tour of the Viala tower at Pas de Jaux is very interesting.

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Fernandez Benjamin
Fernandez Benjamin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

In fact, this route is modelled on the PR, so follow the yellow markings. At 4, it suggests a detour, but this is a bad idea. The suggested path has been closed for a long time and you will find yourself at a dead end at the Lou Pairol restaurant. The friendly restaurant owner kindly pointed out that we weren't the first to make this mistake. He let us through an enclosure to rejoin the path. So, at point 4, skip the unnecessary circular. This doesn't prevent you from visiting the charming village. Otherwise, this hike is recommended, especially in spring, to enjoy all the flora of the Larzac. The descent and ascent to Saint Paul des Fonts are unmissable and are the most interesting part of the route. Thank you for this hiking suggestion.

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micheline
micheline

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had difficulty finding the starting point, but otherwise the hike was very well signposted and the scenery was beautiful.

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sarret2
sarret2

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

In winter there are few people around; I only came across four hikers and heard a few gunshots from hunters. A very pleasant route starting from Viala-du-Pas-de-Jau, with wind and cold rain on the Larzac plateau, but beautiful scrubland along the way to recover from the icy north-easterly wind. Magnificent landscapes and a descent to Saint Paul des Fonts via a beautiful winding path. Don't miss a visit to the village and the small botanical museum dedicated to Canon Costes, as well as the church where he officiated and the small cemetery where he is buried. A beautiful climb, with a fairly steep gradient at the start, but not tiring in cool weather, a real treat for those who enjoy a bit of a challenge. On the way back, towards La Vialette, you will see the Larzac, a beautiful property with rich Causse architecture, beautifully restored and which I have known for 40 years, having often passed by on horseback. It is with a little regret that we end this short hike of almost 14 kilometres, as the landscape is so captivating and constantly changing, with new discoveries around every bend in the trail.

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Francoise ch
Francoise ch

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent route down to St Paul. You can shorten the circular by taking the Viala du Pas de Jaux.

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Brigittedn
Brigittedn

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2023
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. Le Viala du Pas de Jaux is a hamlet worth visiting, especially its granary tower at the end of the hike. The multitude of flowers and other vegetation in springtime invigorate us. The descent to St Paul de Fonts is impressive, and all the cliffs encourage us to take photos. Near the church of St Paul, we visited the Hippolyte Coste botanical garden, dedicated to the life and work of this flower lover, who is recognised worldwide for his writings and herbariums. The Larzac is well worth discovering. Superb and very peaceful.

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Visorandohdulucphilippot
Visorandohdulucphilippot

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2030
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent hike! I can confirm that the descent to Saint-Paul at the bottom of the ravine is not for everyone, and neither is the climb back up.

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Katden 12150
Katden 12150

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike starting on the Larzac plateau with trails through beautiful scrubland, descending into the St Paul des Fonds cirque, with lovely paths and stunning cliffs. Climb back up to the plateau and return across the Larzac plateau.

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Albine Carpentier
Albine Carpentier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy hike with no difficulties. For those who prefer to start with an ascent and finish with a descent, it is best to park at Saint Paul des Fonds and take the route described, starting from there. A quick visit to the Tour de Viala is enjoyable and very informative. I completed the tour in 3 hours and 45 minutes without rushing. Albine

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