The Val de Burat and the Marignac Beech Tree

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An easy hike through beech forests, including the winner of the 2014 "Remarkable Trees" competition, and along forest roads. View of Pic de Burat on the way up and Pic du Gar on the way down. Picnic possible at the Contraire hut halfway along the route.

Details

n°4209479
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.37 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 497 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 493 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 996 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 518 m
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Photos

A beautiful tree can be seen on the uphill section
ascent
forest track
beech tree

Description of the walk

Park in the small street that connects Rue des Moulins to Rue de Saint-Roch. Several parking spaces are available.

(S/E) Head towards Rue de Saint-Roch, turn right onto the path towards the remarkable tree indicated on a large wooden sign.

(1) At the Saint-Martin Chapel, take the narrow path that descends opposite.

(2) Turn left onto the path that climbs into the beech forest. There you will find the remarkable beech tree clinging to the rock. Continue until you reach a fork.

(3) Keep left and climb up the Val de Burat.

(4) At this point, on the left above the path, the Contraire hut and picnic tables can be used as a stopping point. Otherwise, continue straight ahead.

(5) Return to the forest road you left earlier. Turn right and cross the stream.

(6) Leave the road that climbs to the left and stay right on the road that descends.

(3) Continue straight ahead.

(2) Take the bridge on the left to stay on the Burat forest road. Keep right at the fork that appears shortly afterwards and head towards Marignac. At the first houses, turn right to cross the bridge and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 518 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.57 - alt. 588 m - Chapelle Saint-Martin (Marignac)
  3. 2 : km 0.99 - alt. 599 m - Hairpin bend
  4. 3 : km 1.54 - alt. 646 m - Crossroads of the circular
  5. 4 : km 3.42 - alt. 924 m - Cabane Contraire
  6. 5 : km 3.91 - alt. 996 m - Bridge
  7. 6 : km 5.76 - alt. 894 m - Crossroads
  8. S/E : km 10.37 - alt. 518 m - Car park

Notes

Drinking water is available at the Contraire hut.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 16 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
romainmolot
romainmolot

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A pleasant hike mainly through woodland, so it's nice and shaded. Perfect for hot weather!
Highly recommended

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Jasper399
Jasper399

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did the hike in reverse, which was quite nice as it meant a more gradual climb up the stony path and a pleasant return through the woods.
It's worth noting that I heard quite a few gunshots echoing in the distance (getting closer and closer) on the return loop, and it wasn't until I reached point of interest no. 2 that I realised what was going on: there's a clay pigeon shooting range there. So no hunters, but it's surprising at first.

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yosemma
yosemma

Thank you for this very poetic comment!

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Sabrina e Frédéric
Sabrina e Frédéric

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The climb offered us magnificent landscapes and views. The intensity of the colours, the richness of the shapes, every detail we laid our eyes on was magical. We will do it again with the children.
The descent is less charming but allows you to recover.
The detailed history of the "paths to freedom" was also greatly appreciated.

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RICOUT
RICOUT
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a gentle hike through the woods and alongside a stream on the way up, in the shade and fairly damp. You can't say that this path is very busy! No particular difficulty, except for a question mark in the woods towards the opposite hut, but as you don't have to cross the stream... The return downhill along a forest road takes you back to the village, on the sunny side with a clearer view.

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Christophe We
Christophe We

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

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

A beautiful climb surrounded by magnificent trees. There is also a cultural aspect to this route, with its history of local smugglers during the Second World War. However, there is no summit, no view and the descent is uninteresting.
Beware of horseflies, which are numerous along the route.

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ninimouans
ninimouans

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk through the woods and along a stream. The trees along the route are magnificent

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lancel01
lancel01

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a pleasant walk through the woods for experienced walkers

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ninimouans
ninimouans

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I really enjoyed this hike. The climb is superb, but the descent on the trail is a little less pleasant. I cut across the trail twice via a footpath. The only downside was that there were a lot of horseflies. Thank you for this route

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Fabolo
Fabolo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

hike completed only as far as the opposite hut (turned back due to very uncertain weather conditions)
the explanations are quite clear, and the map is very useful in case of doubt.
beautiful climb through the forest, under the trees... the trees are magnificent and the path is very pleasant!

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mazet65
mazet65

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk in a beautiful forest. The descent down the track was a bit tedious.

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Patrick A
Patrick A

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a very pleasant hike, especially in summer as it is very shady, with the option of extending it to Lake Burat

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cdeveze
cdeveze

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
we first made a detour to the Marignac tower and then the calvary (Way of the Cross), which complement the chapel (point 1), and then continued on to the remarkable tree. It is not at point 2 as the description seems to indicate, but almost at point 4 (300 metres before the Contraire hut). The route remains pleasant and varied until point 5, then becomes rather uninteresting (forest road). As mentioned in another message, the description leaves something to be desired. Fortunately, the signage is clear and was more than enough for us.

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Babée
Babée

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike with beautiful autumn colours. Be sure to do this hike in dry weather, ideally at the end of September to see the changing colours. For the return trip, we took the path on the left to avoid the forest track. The first part of the path is fine, although you sometimes have to watch your step because there are large puddles. Take the forest track again as the second part of the path is closed. A lovely hike to do with the family. There are two beautiful huts with barbecues and tables, ideal for a picnic

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gsoubiron
gsoubiron

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, pleasant in summer as much of it is in the shade of the forest.
The signposting is adequate.
However, the explanations are very vague.

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