The 7 dolmens of the Causse de Saint-Chels

Come and discover the dolmen hike on the Causse de Saint-Chels, in the heart of the Causses du Quercy Regional Nature Park.

Details

188204
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.40 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 181 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 190 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 384 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 283 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Start in the village of Saint-Chels.

(S/E) Take the road towards the church. After the cemetery, follow the road for 150 metres, take the path on the right and you will reach a viewpoint over the Causse.

(1) Continue along this path, take the third path on the left (pine forest) and you will see a burial mound on the right at the edge of the path.

(2) Follow the path to the road, turn right onto "Circuit des Dolmens". Cross the D17, turn left and then immediately right onto the path. At the crossroads, turn left and then right; a dolmen is close to the path.

(3) Continue on the same path, "Tunnel de buis", until you reach the D83 road. Turn left, then right towards Fourès. At the top of the hill, leave the road and take the path on the right.

(4) At the edge of the path, discover the dolmens of "la Métairie Haute" and "Aubin" on the right: the access is signposted. Before the tarmac road, take the small path on the right, surrounded by stone walls, to reach the Combel du Ravié and its dolmens.

(5) Continue. At the D17, take the path opposite, surrounded by stone walls, and you will reach a crossroads.

(6) Continue along the path and then the paved road.

(7) At the end of the wooden fence, turn right onto a path between the junipers. 200 metres after the fence under the D82, follow the path on the right that descends towards Les Ouvriés. At the end of the path, take Chemin Castiner until you reach the tarmac road. Continue straight ahead on the road.

(8) At the wash house, turn right onto a slightly uphill path. At the road, turn left and continue until you reach Cazelle on the left.

(9) Continue along the road to return to the village of Saint-Chels (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 381 m - Village of Saint-Chels
  2. 1 : km 0.77 - alt. 377 m - Viewpoint over the limestone plateau
  3. 2 : km 2.48 - alt. 294 m - Tumulus of the Cloup de Payrol dolmen on the right
  4. 3 : km 3.81 - alt. 286 m - Dolmen of Mas de Jean Blanc or La Métairie Hte
  5. 4 : km 5.63 - alt. 319 m - Dolmen des Agars, listed as a historic monument
  6. 5 : km 7.26 - alt. 298 m - Dolmen of the Combe de Sole No. 2, listed as a historic monument
  7. 6 : km 8.28 - alt. 363 m - View of the village of Saint-Chels
  8. 7 : km 9.15 - alt. 377 m - Path on the right
  9. 8 : km 10.64 - alt. 328 m - Wash house
  10. 9 : km 10.92 - alt. 347 m - Cazelle
  11. S/E : km 11.39 - alt. 381 m - Village of Saint-Chels

Notes

Water point at the start and finish of the hike.

Worth a visit

(4) and view of the limestone plateau and the bell tower of Saint-Chels.
(6) View of the village of Saint-Chels.

- The Aubin Dolmen (listed as a historic monument) is located on the map above the "u" in Aubin (N44.54669° E1.81323°)
- The Cune dolmen is located a little off the route at the junction of the D17 and the road to St Chels (N44.53694° E1.81336°) marked on the map
- The Péchaud dolmen (N44.5475° E1.80079°), which has lost its capstone, is located near the D17 but is not directly accessible from the route.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 26 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Dumm
Dumm

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 26/08/2025. This hike in search of dolmens is interesting to follow, with beautiful landscapes typical of the Causse plateau and welcome explanatory signs. The elevation gains are low and the length of the route is moderate, making it accessible for family hikes. There is one downside, however: the route is no longer entirely up to date, as several sections have to be bypassed due to the privatisation of plots of land: fences have been put up on the originally planned route. However, the detours are not a problem thanks to the map provided, which is sufficiently accurate. Ideally, do this hike in the morning, including a picnic, and on your return, don't hesitate to take a refreshing swim at the nearby beach of Sauliac-sur-Célé, and take the opportunity to have a drink at the 'Poivré Célé' guinguette.

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Alainrando777
Alainrando777

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with some impressive dolmens, including one with a 28-tonne table.

Note 1: between points 3 and 4, you can enjoy a delicious drink (hot or cold) at the "plant bar"; a sign will show you the way to the house (close to the hiking trail). Very warm welcome, delicious drinks.

note 2: As mentioned in a review, it is difficult to find your way at point 7. After the wooden gate, you need to walk a few metres down the driveway of a private house (the driveway was open, but there is a rope that could be used to close it), and about 7 metres further on, on the left, take a small path (which was well covered with fairly tall grass) to go down to point 8, "Les Ouvriés".

A very beautiful route, often shaded.

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Agnès 12
Agnès 12

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

15/09/24. A lovely little walk in beautiful sunshine. No difficulties, the route is very well signposted. The information about the dolmens is very interesting.
Ideal for a family hike.

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Patou3669
Patou3669

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike. The explanations about the dolmens are very interesting.
It's a shame that they aren't better weeded and maintained.
There's a tricky spot towards the end where you have to cross a private property (step over a rope) to find the marked trail.
Otherwise, it was a thoroughly enjoyable experience

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Marcb33
Marcb33

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

hike on 26/06/24, easy, nice route with beautiful dolmens

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alaingardes
alaingardes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route. Easy to follow. Lovely views of the valleys. No difficulties whatsoever. Recommended route.

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Lidicat
Lidicat

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice route, the descriptions are good for good weather, it is not too difficult for occasional walkers.

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yanisylan
yanisylan

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Very well marked and pleasant route. The only anomaly was at point 7, where we didn't see any wooden fence!

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FranckHD
FranckHD

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with beautiful dolmens (not always easy to find)

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Pioups
Pioups

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Very well signposted route, limited interest. Two beautiful dolmens

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maxcaviso
maxcaviso

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A pleasant hike but of moderate interest.

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alexis79
alexis79

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

I followed the GPX track. The last part is from the guidebook.
Beautiful landscapes typical of the Causse region.

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stephanelevasseur
stephanelevasseur

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

a beautiful hike on the limestone plateaus with just the right amount of information to understand what you're seeing (and a plant bar to quench your thirst along the way :-)). Calm and relaxing. The last part (which I found less interesting) can be avoided by following the tourist office's map (which makes the hike around 9 km)

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la strada
la strada

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We set off from the village hall, which is ideal for motorhomes. The route is well signposted and well documented (dolmens) and magnificent. According to the map, it is 11.2 km long. At the start, it is also given as 11.2 km, but nearby, a description of the commune gives the figure as 8.7 km. In the end, we decide to follow the PR signposts. There is a slight confusion somewhere after point 7, after crossing the D83. Either you follow the Viso route, in which case you will have to leave the yellow markings and keep an eye on your GPS, or you continue with the PR markings. Nothing serious. All roads lead to St Chels. Thanks to our Viso scout.

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ceveline
ceveline

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Not many well-marked signs indicating elevation changes

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