The Sidobre from Lac du Merle

de fr

This circuit combines the pleasures of walking with those of a picnic by the water.
The Sidobre rocks are a curiosity worth discovering.
Lac du Merle is a haven of peace and enchantment where you can relax in the summer heat. It is a beautiful spot with rocks rising out of the water, giving you the feeling of walking on air.

Details

n°212992
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.31 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 807 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 807 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,208 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,765 ft
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Description of the walk

Park in the car park opposite the lake, on the opposite side of the D30.

Red and whiteGR®36signposts

(S/E) With your back to the car park, cross the road carefully. Turn right and follow the path that runs along the north side of the lake. When you reach the left-hand corner, turn right onto the path. Continue north. Cross Le Lignon and you will come to a road.

(1) Turn right to cross it and take the wide track that leads to the place called Le Merle.

(2) At the hamlet, the track continues as a path. Cross the Ruisseau de Las Lagues and join thePR® above Las Lagues Hautes.

(3) Continue on theGR®36. ThePR®, which arrives from the left, will be the end of the Sentier des Merveilles, which you will take on the way back. Follow the red and white markings. Pass under high-voltage power lines in an open passage. Stay on the main track and reach the hamlet of Crémaussel.

(4) Cross the road and continue along the track opposite until it ends.

(5) At the fork, take the right-hand path. Explore the Rochers Décalés. Continue your exploration through the Désert and find the Roc de l'Oie.

(6) The red and white markings turn right to reach the Trois Fromages. Continue to the hamlet of Ricard.

Yellow markings

(7) As soon as you enter the hamlet, turn left immediately towards the south. Cross a stream and continue for a few metres.

(8) Go back and forth to the right to see the Chapeau du Curé.

(9) Retrace your steps.

(8) Continue to the right and end up on a road. Follow it to the left, then turn right at the T-junction. Walk to the picnic area at the Croix de Beyriès.

(10) Retrace your steps a little and veer right. Arrive at La Safranière and go around it on the left.

(11) The trail resumes, with its yellow markings, at the exit of the hamlet.

(12) At the fork, about 1.8 km after La Safranière, continue right downhill, pass under the power lines and follow the path to Las Lagues Hautes, where you will rejoin theGR®36.

Red and white markings for theGR®36

(3) Turn right. Retrace your steps to return to the Lac du Merle car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,991 ft - Parking - Le Lac Du Merle
  2. 1 : mi 0.31 - alt. 1,965 ft - Fork
  3. 2 : mi 0.59 - alt. 2,037 ft - Place known as Le Merle
  4. 3 : mi 1.2 - alt. 2,149 ft - Crossroads of the loop
  5. 4 : mi 2.47 - alt. 2,146 ft - Hameau de Crémaussel
  6. 5 : mi 2.55 - alt. 2,146 ft - Fork in the road towards Les Roches Décalées - Les Roches Décalées
  7. 6 : mi 3.23 - alt. 2,169 ft - Le Roc de l'Oie
  8. 7 : mi 3.65 - alt. 1,778 ft - Hamlet of Ricard
  9. 8 : mi 4.15 - alt. 1,936 ft - Intersection after a stream
  10. 9 : mi 4.23 - alt. 1,906 ft - Le Chapeau de Curé
  11. 10 : mi 5.15 - alt. 1,913 ft - Area - Croix de Beyriès
  12. 11 : mi 5.6 - alt. 1,969 ft - La Safranière
  13. 12 : mi 6.75 - alt. 2,185 ft - Fork in the road, turn right
  14. S/E : mi 8.31 - alt. 1,988 ft - Lac du Merle car park

Notes

At (10), you can take a lunch break at this spot.
Picnic tables (including a large one under a shelter), grassy areas, toilets and a water point with barbecue facilities are available.

Worth a visit

Lac du Merle for relaxation and picnics.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 32 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 29436959

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I was leading a group of about twenty people, and they all really enjoyed this walk, where the rocks of the Sidobre spark the imagination.

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User 24874955

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There was hardly anyone there because we went on this hike during the week and at a time when schools were in session.
It’s a really lovely walk.

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FRANCOISE.DT
FRANCOISE.DT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route wasn't very busy on 8 May, though I imagine it gets much busier during the height of the summer season. It's a lovely route and the route is very clearly signposted. Thank you!

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alain chaves
alain chaves

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, enjoyable in all seasons. It gets very busy in summer along part of the route due to the many granite boulders to admire.

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User 27982278

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2025
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 to do in autumn

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Aigle noir
Aigle noir

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, best done during the week if possible as it is much less crowded. The route des merveilles (wonders route) is a must-see; it is best to follow the GPS track.

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User 26300855

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant, shaded route, well signposted, great way to discover the iconic rocks

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nadette53
nadette53

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very pleasant circuit

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JEANNOT81
JEANNOT81

A beautiful route that takes in most of the highlights of the Sentier des Merveilles trail.

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jmg84
jmg84

Thank you. And thank you especially for this excellent hike, which was really worth it.

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madydou
madydou ★

Hello,
Thank you for your feedback.
I will try to go back and modify the route as soon as possible.

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jmg84
jmg84

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty hike, almost entirely through woodland. The route includes the Merveilles du Sidobre trail, which is a little busier. However, be careful in the second loop after point 2, as the trail has been disrupted (trees felled, new forest path, etc.) and we were unable to find the route, even off-trail, where it was impossible to avoid the marshes. We had to return via the original route.

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User 19118796

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A beautiful route providing access to the many attractions of the Sidobre trail of wonders. In autumn and during heavy rain, be careful of the stream path after the hamlet of Ricard.

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Patrixdemex
Patrixdemex

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful trail that gives you a good idea of what Sidobre is all about. Be sure to stop at the museum/tourist office near Lac du Merle.
If you follow the yellow markings along the trail, you will stray from the author's route between points 5 and 6. Don't worry, you will quickly rejoin the GR36, which you take to the right to reach Roc de l'Oie.
I recommend this route
Thank you for the route

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Patrixdemex
Patrixdemex

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route is mainly through woodland, with no views. However, it does offer the chance to see numerous granite figures that Mother Nature has scattered here and there to tease our imagination.
After point 5, following the yellow markings, we strayed from the author's route. However, this was no problem as we rejoined the "petite boucle des merveilles" trail a little further on, turning right to find ourselves in front of the Roc de l'Oie, where we rejoined the original route.
The entire route is easy and enjoyable.
Thank you for the trail

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.