The Corniches of the Causse Noir

You will need two vehicles for this journey from La Bouteille to Saint-André-de-Vézines.

Details

n°6969

Creation:
25 Jun 2012

Last update:
30 Jul 2026

Last review:
15 Sep 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 7.21 mi
Average duration: 4h 40
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: No
Ascent: + 1,572 ft
Descent: - 1,447 ft
Highest point: 2,802 ft
Lowest point: 1,867 ft

Country: France
Areas: Massif central, Causse Noir
City: La Roque-Sainte-Marguerite (12100)
Start: N 44.114366° / E 3.292733°
End: N 44.145017° / E 3.242359°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2540SB, 2641OT
Hour-by-hour weather

Avalanche risk assessment bulletin

Discover Visorando Premium

Downloads

Open in the mobile app

Download GPX GPX

Download PDF PDF

Photos

Description of the walk

At Peyreleau, head towards Montpellier-le-Vieux, then Saint-André-de-Vézines, towards La Combe, and park your car in the small car park just before the ‘no entry’ sign on the private road (E). Return to Saint-André and head towards Millau; at the first junction, go straight on towards La Bouteille. Park your second car at the start of the path (wooden sign for La Bouteille).
(S) Look for the path, which is hidden by grass and is not signposted. However, the cross at the oratory marks the starting point. Gradually, the path becomes more visible; it descends very slightly to join the^GR®®62at the entrance to the Combe des Rajals.

(1) Wind your way through the box trees and holm oaks to reach the superb village of Saint Véran.

(2) Explore the village and head back up to the entrance, then take the^GR®® opposite, which climbs gently up to the Costeplane farm.

(3) Then follow the wide track leading to this farm; cross the road and stay on the road to the right until, 200 metres further up, you reach the road leading down to Montméjean. Pass through this hamlet and continue along the^GR®® to the fountain of the same name, where there is a rest area.

(4) Head back up; at the first junction, leave a path on your left and turn right. Pass under the pylon and onto the plateau overlooking the Rajols ravine. You’ll reach the large rocks of Roques Altes (les Roches Hautes).

(5) Continue northwards to reach the farm.

(6) Leave the^GR®® and turn right onto the wide track which, after about 2 km, leads to the car park where the first car is parked (E).
Then collect the second car to complete this crossing.

Waypoints

S : mi 0 - alt. 2,625 ft - La Bouteille sign
1 : mi 1.1 - alt. 2,133 ft - Combe de Rajals
2 : mi 1.86 - alt. 1,867 ft - Saint Véran
3 : mi 2.86 - alt. 2,434 ft - Costeplane Farm
4 : mi 4.38 - alt. 2,064 ft - Montméjean fountain
5 : mi 5.86 - alt. 2,723 ft - Rochers de Roques Altès (861 m)
6 : mi 6.11 - alt. 2,733 ft - Return route
E : mi 7.21 - alt. 2,743 ft - Puech de la Tour

Notes

The Montméjean fountain is not known to be of high quality. It is best to refrain from drinking its water. This means you should make sure you have enough supplies before setting out on this crossing.

Worth a visit

Saint Véran is a magnificent village. Words cannot describe it; only a visit to this village will allow you to appreciate its splendour.
The Roques Altes rocks stand proudly in the landscape and the farm next to them is undergoing renovation.
Opposite, Montpellier le Vieux awaits tourists, but also their wallets.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5

Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5

Route interest
4.8 / 5

thmar019

15 Sep 2025 at 11:16 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with stunning scenery and views of the Jonte cliffs.
Not very busy on weekdays in September.

Machine-translated

gesi41

20 Jun 2021 at 18:36 7200 • Edited: 20 Jun 2021 at 18:37 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route served as the basis for a 10 km circular, starting from the car park on the RD 41, above Montmejean, then going up the RD road on the left towards the bastides, then right onto the path leading to La Combe, where we rejoined the route and followed it to Montmejean. After the village, a path on the left took us back to the car park.
A very beautiful route.

Machine-translated

McGus

01 Sep 2020 at 07:46 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 31, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As I didn't have a second vehicle, I only did part of the route: from La Bouteille to Montméjean. Returning to the starting point via other paths, trails and off-trail routes allowed me to admire the Causse Noir from above and encounter some exceptional wildlife.

Visits to the hamlets of Saint-Véran and Montméjean, with their typical Causse architecture, are a must. It is also worth taking the time to walk part of the René Pical botanical trail in Montméjean.

A beautiful walk in this magnificent setting on a very pleasant day.

Machine-translated

larzalier07

16 May 2018 at 19:02 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

It should be noted that the crossroads indicated in the description where you should leave your car upon arrival (A) is no longer the solution, as a beautiful car park with picnic tables has since been built 1 km further on, thus avoiding ending the hike on an uninteresting path.
I can confirm the beauty of the route, the lovely village of Saint Véran and the magnificent Roques Altès rocks, whose surrounding meadows were covered with orchids (bee orchids), pasque flowers, star-of-Bethlehem (Ornithogalum umbellatum), etc. when we passed through.

Machine-translated

Michel_M

30 Dec 2016 at 11:51 3600 • Edited: 30 Dec 2016 at 11:52 3600

Hello,
The Château de St-Véran is not in ruins at all.

In my message, I am referring to a visit some thirty years ago or more... It's good that it has been renovated.

Machine-translated

Abracadabram

30 Dec 2016 at 10:38 3600

The Château de St-Véran is not in ruins at all. It has been partially restored and renovated, of course, and welcomes its Dutch owners during the summer months! However, a stop at this magnificent site (which can only be reached on foot) via a small path from the St-André road is the best way to truly discover it. Note the beauty of the roofs as you pass by: a marvel of craftsmanship in the laying of slate tiles.
I completed the entire tour of the Causse Noir on foot in five days (with the addition of the Causse Méjean corniche), but you need to be a bit brave to take on seven to eight hours of walking per day.

Machine-translated

Michel_M

14 Dec 2015 at 13:53 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 14, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello
A quick note, especially for our friends in Quebec, about this beautiful walk:

The Château de St Véran (ruins) was the residence of Marquis Louis de Montcalm, who died in Quebec while commanding French troops during the 1759 battle of "Plain of Abraham" against perfidious Albion (already the barbarian invasions!).

Thank you to Bernadino for making me feel 30 years younger! I still remember the emotion of a group of Quebecois I took there...