The Camboussels valley

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The route offers beautiful, unobstructed views in its first section before winding through the undergrowth towards the river and back up to Coulouma. Information boards provide insights into life in the Camboussels valley, from water management to farming and agriculture. Although not particularly difficult, the walk does require sturdy footwear (stony sections and paths through woodland) and a bit of stamina to climb back up to the hamlet!

Details

n°95640290
Creation:
Last update:
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–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.60 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 213 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 213 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 541 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 324 m
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Description of the walk

The car park is signposted before the entrance to the hamlet of Coulouma when coming from Saint-Jean-de-Minervois, or after leaving Coulouma when coming from Pardailhan – follow the ‘Parking’ arrow. The car park is at the end of a 600-metre track (which may have ruts).

Blue-marked route

(S/E) From the car park, walk straight on towards Coulouma and cross the hamlet.

(1) On leaving the hamlet, walk along the main road to the right towards Assignan. Then take the path that climbs to the left. Enjoy the stunning views offered by the route over the Saint-Chinian national forest and the Pyrenees on a clear day. After 800 metres, the path joins the D178.

(2) Follow the road for 20 metres to the left, cross it and take the path leading down to the right. Enjoy the beautiful views once again.

(3) After a 1.5 km descent, the route leaves the main path and continues to the right through the undergrowth. It runs alongside the river for 400 metres and leads to a reservoir that was once used for irrigation. Pass the reservoir and climb two sets of steps to follow the signposts.

(4) Caution: go round the collapsed stone bridge by following the signposts and do not attempt to climb onto the bridge.

(5) After about a hundred metres, take the steps on the right. Don’tmiss the sign for the charcoal kilns on the right (round trip). Then continue along the route to the pumping station and take the main track which climbs to the right towards the plateau for 500 metres. Stay on the track at all times.

(6) At the junction of the tracks, take the one on the right and head towards the D176 road.

(7) Take care when crossing the D176 road and joining the path opposite. After 500 metres, turn left to join the track leading to the car park and follow it (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 537 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.9 - alt. 506 m - Route d'Assignan
  3. 2 : km 1.88 - alt. 463 m - D178
  4. 3 : km 3.33 - alt. 345 m - Woodland
  5. 4 : km 3.92 - alt. 349 m - Stone bridge
  6. 5 : km 4.03 - alt. 352 m - Staircase
  7. 6 : km 4.8 - alt. 415 m - Crossroads
  8. 7 : km 5.52 - alt. 490 m - Crossing the road
  9. S/E : km 6.6 - alt. 537 m - Car park

Notes

The route is marked in blue and has a car park specially designed for walkers, thus avoiding congestion in the streets of the hamlet of Coulouma.

Worth a visit

Information panels are placed along the route. They provide further information on irrigation and rural life on the edge of an arid plateau, the hamlet of Coulouma and, below, the Camboussels valley, which provided the inhabitants with water and fertile land.

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