The Heights of Gravette

de fr

From the dam, head towards the Montagne Noire Natural Park for a hike in the forest and along the river.
After a short wet crossing and a final easy climb, the arrival point reveals a magnificent view of the dam.

Details

n°2035265
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.33 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 313 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 313 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 666 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 479 m
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Photos

Dam
Undergrowth
End of the hike
Small stream

Description of the walk

Departure from the Gravette Dam.

(S/E) Cross the dam, take the first path on the left and climb towards the Plateau des Vaches.

(1) At the hairpin bend, continue to the right. At the meadow, turn left and follow the edge on your left.

(2) At the end of the electric fence and the start of the wire fence, continue along the path, keeping the woods on your left. Reach the eastern end of the meadows.

(3) At the crossroads, continue straight ahead along the track that follows the ridge. In the wide left-hand bend, ignore the path on the right and join the one on the left a few metres further on.

(4) Continue along the path on the left (follow the markers) and ignore the various paths branching off on either side. Join a road and follow it downhill for a few metres until you reach the next hairpin bend. Take the path opposite. At the bottom of the valley, leave the path and take the trail on the left. Reach a path at the corner of a meadow and follow it to the right. Reach the boundary between two meadows.

(5) The path turns left at a 90° angle. This is where the sheep pastures begin. Follow them on your left and you will reach a fork.

(6) Continue to the left, still along the edge of the meadows.

(7) At the end of the last meadow, start the descent on the left, which can be difficult. After several hairpin bends, you will reach an old bridge.

(8) Leave the marked trail and continue to the left. Keep the Sor River on your left.

(9) Ford the river (you will get your feet a little wet), tackle the last hill and you will reach a track.

(10). Take this road to the right and follow it to the path you took on the way there.

(1) At the three-way junction, turn right and retrace your steps, enjoying the magnificent view one last time as you cross the dam to return to your vehicle (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 569 m - Barrage de Gravette
  2. 1 : km 0.39 - alt. 573 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 0.8 - alt. 613 m - End of the electric fence and start of the wire fence
  4. 3 : km 2.3 - alt. 656 m - End of the cow pastures
  5. 4 : km 4.1 - alt. 661 m - Path to the left
  6. 5 : km 6.64 - alt. 660 m - Start of the sheep meadows
  7. 6 : km 7.41 - alt. 609 m - Fork in the road, to the left
  8. 7 : km 7.57 - alt. 594 m - Descent to the left
  9. 8 : km 8.21 - alt. 481 m - Old bridge, on the left
  10. 9 : km 8.83 - alt. 491 m - Crossing the - Sor (rivière)
  11. 10 : km 9.19 - alt. 544 m - Carriage road, on the right
  12. S/E : km 10.33 - alt. 569 m - Barrage de Gravette

Notes

The "walk" does not present any particular difficulties.

It should be noted that it is advisable to keep an eye on your animals (dogs, for example) so as not to disturb the livestock between (1) and (2) and between (5) and (6).

The path is well marked; simply follow the signs, which is useful in (3) as there are many possibilities. However, the other paths are marked by barriers and "private property" signs.

At the start, you walk alongside cow pastures (1) to (3). For about 200 metres, there are electric fences before they become high wire fences (2). You must therefore keep your animal (dog) under control during these few metres so as not to disturb the livestock.

A little further on, the same applies to sheep (5) at (6).

There is an old bridge to cross which may be a little daunting given its condition (8) just after a slightly difficult descent that requires sure footing (7). As the river is not deep, it can be an alternative to crossing the bridge for the less adventurous.

A little further on, you have to cross the same river (9). It is shallow and completely safe, so there is no risk, just wet feet (see photo of the dog in the water for an idea).

Worth a visit

The hike is entirely in the forest and runs alongside a stream at the end, so take the opportunity to observe the flora and fauna.

A short break while crossing the river allows you to play in the clear, cool water.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 16 reviews
Reliability of the description
3.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Fa54
Fa54

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route is mainly through replanted coniferous forest, except at the end.
I didn't dare cross the ford without a walking stick, as the stream is wide and the stones in the ford are not very inviting (point 9), so I went up the wide path that follows the conduit leading down from the dam.

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emico63
emico63

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely, pleasant route on a hot day, mostly through forest with beautiful views of the Gravette dam between 6 and 7.
The section between 8 and 9 along the river is very beautiful, with the added bonus of a fun and refreshing ford.
The signposting is poor, but the GPS saved us from making a lot of wrong turns.
We came across a few hikers and mountain bikers.
Thank you for this beautiful route.

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Martin31570
Martin31570

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, fairly easy even with 6-year-old children.

Beautiful views, varied paths and scenery, and very few people when we visited (27/12/24)

The only downside is that the signposting isn't great, so you need to keep your map (or phone) handy to avoid getting lost!

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lutine11
lutine11

Hello and thank you for your feedback. It's been four years since the hike was posted, so there may have been a lot of changes (especially in forest management). We did it with our daughter, she loves crossing with the dogs xD

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Bouconne VTT
Bouconne VTT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with two routes: the first is very easy, on the heights with a magnificent view of the Montagne Noire and the Pyrenees, and the second is more technical and much more interesting in terms of hiking, leading to the river below the dam. Crossing the ford is great fun, like "Miniman VS Wild"
Be careful, the descent was particularly slippery because it had rained heavily over the previous two days.
A word of advice: it's best to take a GPS with you

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lATOF
lATOF

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful, shaded hike.
At the end of the trail, we were blocked by an impassable stream, forcing us to turn back and take another route that was less interesting as it was mostly paved.
That was the only downside to this hike.

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Symphorine
Symphorine

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, a very pleasant hike, especially the second part, which is wilder. There was a bit of confusion between points 8 and 9: should we cross the bridge or not? We ended up finding the dam, which is the main thing.

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Le jacquet
Le jacquet

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, the trail is still not easy to follow. Pleasant hike through the woods. A small comment about the trail. It's true that it no longer corresponds to the day it was surveyed. The landscape has changed for various reasons, but you can get a much more accurate picture by incorporating as many points as possible and adjusting the GPS to a much higher level of precision. This is what is generally missing from the tracks posted online. However, a good hiker will always be able to find their way.

Best regards

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lutine11
lutine11

Hello, I did indeed pass through there recently and the landscape has changed quickly. As it is a wooded area, the spaces are often cut down, then replanted, then... etc. I myself could not find the footpath through the trees because it no longer exists. Sorry for the inconvenience. However, the hiking trails are still correct on the IGN maps.

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misstic
misstic

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The Hauteurs de Gravette route does not match the description: the first third, which was supposed to be in the forest, is actually in full sunlight: many trees have been felled over several hundred metres. Point 3 suggests "continuing opposite the carriage road", but in reality this carriage road turns left, which is shown on the map. At many junctions (4, then around 5), the description is very vague ("Join a road" or "At the bottom of the valley") and it is not really clear which path to take. We missed a turn-off around 5 and wandered around the forest trying to find our bearings on the map, finally reaching point 10. Many sections pass through cultivated forests, which are not conducive to wildlife and are currently being felled. Lots of ragweed in bloom throughout. Still a good walk, though.

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libellule1452
libellule1452

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, yellow markings on site.
The hike reviews were helpful.
The children loved crossing the Sor! (aged 6, 8 and 11) using stones and logs.

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tms_31
tms_31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A superb short hike of around ten kilometres, without any major difficulties.

A little tip between points 8 and 9 of the hike: don't hesitate to continue, keeping the stream on your left. Leave the marked path to reach the point where you have to cross the Sor and get your feet wet at point 9.

For those who don't want to get their feet wet, there are two options!

  • You can either go back up following the marked path (which splits between points 8 and 9)
  • Or a little higher up (on this marked path), follow the large pipe to the dams and climb the stairs to the Cammazes dam car park.

When crossing at point 9, having done so in winter, the water level is a little higher (below the knees) than in the photos with the dog. The current is not very strong, but with a good walking stick you will have a little more stability to cross and not fall into the water. (Ps: The water is a little cold).

Enjoy your hike!
Thomas

"The real reason I walk only makes sense in itself. It's called pleasure... I walk for pleasure and I take the opportunity to meditate." Yves Paccalet

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CharlesRy
CharlesRy

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 04, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike taken in early February:
part 1: lots of felled trees
second part: very beautiful

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Araga
Araga

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2020
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 pleasant walk, mostly in the shade under the trees (so there are few panoramic views, except between points 3 and 5). This meant we didn't suffer from the heat despite it being a scorching day. One small downside, which didn't spoil the day, however, was that the route was used by trail bikes, which disturbed the peace and quiet of the place.

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daje31
daje31

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route, but best avoided in the height of summer because between points 3 and 5, most of the trees have recently been cut down. In this section, the forest is therefore limited to small 2-metre trees surrounded by scrub.
Be careful when crossing the ford at point 9: you must take off your shoes and the water is very cold, even on 15 August. That said, the children loved it! You can avoid this ford by taking the path a little further up that runs alongside the penstock and joins the dam on the car park side

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