Les karstic caves de Compolibat

During this circuit, you will discover a geological curiosity, the karstic caves of Py and Rouffiès, composed of fairy chimneys. The village is picturesque with its 13th-century church and bell tower surrounded by four pinnacles. The second part of the circuit offers a view of the village and the crossing of the Aveyron on an old bridge, the Pont du Cambon.

Details

5085545
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.41 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 161 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 165 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 452 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 363 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park on the edge of the D26, near the town hall and the church.

(S/E) Walk along the D26, pass in front of the church and follow the road towards Prévinquières.

(1) At a small stream, take the road on the left and then immediately leave it to take the path that climbs up opposite (sign). Follow it to the first crossroads, turn left to reach the viewpoint over the karstic caves of Py. Follow the path downhill.

(2) When you reach the bottom of the valley, turn right to follow the valley, cross the footbridges to reach the foot of the karstic cave.

Turn around and follow the path straight ahead as it continues downhill. At a junction of streams, continue on your left. A footbridge allows you to cross the stream and the path climbs to reach the karstic cave de Rouffiès. Continue along the path uphill, turn left when you reach the pasture and descend this path.

(3) When you reach the village, take the road on your right and cross the bridge. Turn right immediately to join the main road (D26). Cross at the pedestrian crossing and continue on the road opposite, which climbs to a four-way intersection where you turn left towards Labro.

(4) At the hamlet, the road ends in front of a barn. The path, lined with oak trees, starts to the right of this barn and descends to the Cambon bridge. Cross it.

(5) At the four-way intersection, turn left onto the road, which becomes a path. At the sports field, turn left onto the road towards the leisure area, then take the road on the right. Go around the tennis court to take the footbridge over the Aveyron. On the other side, continue to the right.

(6) Just before the stream, take the path on the left which will take you back to the church and then to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 378 m - Town square - Église Saint-Georges (Compolibat)
  2. 1 : km 0.17 - alt. 370 m - Stream
  3. 2 : km 1.02 - alt. 391 m - Bottom of the valley - Access to - Igues de Rouffiès et du Py
  4. 3 : km 2.12 - alt. 380 m - Road at the entrance to the village
  5. 4 : km 3.14 - alt. 414 m - Labro - To the right of the barn
  6. 5 : km 4.25 - alt. 370 m - Crossroads after the - Aveyron (rivière)
  7. 6 : km 5.06 - alt. 367 m - Stream
  8. S/E : km 5.41 - alt. 378 m - Town square - Église Saint-Georges (Compolibat)

Notes

YellowPR® markings.
Sign for the hike at the foot of the church and information panels at karstic caves.

In wet weather, the circuit is very muddy and slippery, and the footbridges are very slippery.

Option to do only the loop on the karstic cave side: 2.3 km, 140 m elevation gain, approximately 1 hour to 1 hour 10 minutes depending on the time taken to read the signs.

Worth a visit

Public toilets in the village.
Café restaurant on the village square.
Leisure area with tennis courts, mini golf, picnic tables, etc.
Campsite at the leisure area.
Climbing site.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 21984781
• Edited:

This hike should not be classified as easy, but rather as moderate!
Although it is fairly short, there is a significant elevation gain in the first section, with several fairly steep descents where there is a risk of slipping. Not suitable for beginners, people who are not very fit or dogs. Do not take this route in wet weather.
The path was very busy on the day I took it.
I was very disappointed with this hike, as the region is full of superb, uncrowded hikes, especially from Bastide l'Evêque.

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MGR Moustache
MGR Moustache
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A pleasant hike that is worth doing mainly for the karstic caves, even if they are partly hidden by vegetation. The trail is a little steep but not really difficult for anyone who is used to hiking. It was particularly hot and humid on the day we were there, and with the lush vegetation growing in the valley, we could have been in another part of the world 😉.
The rest of the hike is of little interest except for the pleasure of crossing the Aveyron on this pretty old bridge.

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jpvls
jpvls

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A fairly varied hike between the karstic caves of Compolibat, its natural surroundings and its exceptional leisure area, which is wonderfully maintained
maintained recreation area.
A lovely time spent in this charming village.

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Kétick
Kétick

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice route. Not very long but quite steep. Wear good walking shoes to avoid slipping

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Soclemar
Soclemar

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful, well-marked trail, not very long, with magnificent scenery. However, the section through the karstic cave is a little difficult to access for some people; you need to be careful of the uneven ground and muddy sections. The other part of the trail is very beautiful, with a magnificent bridge spanning the River Aveyron. A hike well worth doing.

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chdoyo
chdoyo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very interesting route for exploring karstic caves from all angles, high and low...
And at the end of the loop, the Cambon Bridge, which is very pretty and well preserved. A hike to do with the family, but be careful in places where it is a bit narrow and slippery when it has rained

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athmos.oner
athmos.oner

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A short walk that is well worth the detour to admire the karstic caves from every angle: from above, below and even from the sides.
Avoid on rainy days as the paths are very slippery.

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pommade
pommade

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant route, but be careful if you have mobility issues as the path is slippery due to small stones and very narrow in places. It is a family-friendly route as children can navigate it easily, but older people should take it slowly

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mesangère
mesangère

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Nice walk. Certainly not very busy.

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jacques.pulou
jacques.pulou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Same comments as above regarding the karstic caves. The end of the route is not to be overlooked, with the discovery of the medieval Cambon Bridge along a magnificent country lane.

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castanet-tolosan
castanet-tolosan

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

An interesting discovery of karstic caves, a remarkable geological feature: to exaggerate slightly, a small Bryce Canyon in Aveyron!

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Audrey12000
Audrey12000

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, the karstic caves really create a unique landscape.
Just be careful, as the path can be slippery in places.

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MNORDIC
MNORDIC

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 24, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant trail, mostly shaded, which is greatly appreciated during this heatwave! (stream at the bottom of the dry valley)
And even though the natural karstic caves are now overgrown with vegetation, it remains a surprising
and interesting (information panels)
Wear sturdy shoes!
There are temporary safety barriers (be careful with young children: it goes up and down)
The pretty Cambon bridge is worth a detour
Do this in the morning, then take your car and head to the banks of the Aveyron to visit the remarkable village of Belcastel (20 minutes away)
The Aveyron is SUPERB!
❤❤❤

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bardoumagniez
bardoumagniez

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Under blue skies, we made a wonderful discovery: a karstic cave. With two children aged 6 and 10, it was great. Everyone was very happy with this loop.

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yanisylan
yanisylan

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, pleasant route, but safety needs to be reviewed in certain sections as the barriers are very defective. Kind regards.
Eliane

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