Mont Roucous circular - Tourbière des Pansières

A refreshing hike that takes place mainly in the forest. From the Col de la Bassine, the route first leads to the Tourbière des Pansières and its discovery trail, then to Mont Roucous after a quick and easy climb. To finish in style, part of the "Sur les traces de l'Enfant Sauvage" trail allows you to enjoy interesting and entertaining information panels and exceptional undergrowth.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 18.73 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 522 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 523 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,168 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 751 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park just after the Col de la Bassine (D622) in a car park located on a bend in the old road.

(S) Return to the road and turn left for about 150 metres. At the houses, take a sharp left turn onto an uphill forest road.

Signposting: Les Pansières signs

Follow this forest road and leave the wide path opposite at the first hairpin bend you come to. You will soon reach the next junction.

No signposts

(1) Ignore the Les Pansières signposting, which invites you to continue straight ahead, and turn right. Stay on this wide track until you reach a crossroads where you can clearly see a deforested area on the right.

(2) Turn right, walk along this deforested area, which further on has a wind farm, and quickly reach a junction.

YellowPR® markings

Turn left and continue to a three-way junction where there is a clear view to the west and south.

(3) Take the path on the left that runs along the edge of the forest and, at the small road, turn left. Cross the hamlet of Cros (two houses!) where the road gives way to a wide forest track that crosses several wooded areas. At the Sigarède farm, continue on the tarmac road until you reach the next T-junction.

No signposts

(4) Leave thePR® which branches off to the right and turn left. The climb is steep until the next fork. Turn left and, after about 50 metres, turn right. The very pleasant path climbs through the forest and joins a wide, well-maintained track.

(5) Turn left. You will soon see the Pansières peat bog on your right. Continue to the information board about the site.

(6) At this point, there are two options: either continue the hike towards nearby Mont Roucous or follow the bog discovery trail and walk around it.

The latter option is the most relevant here, but you will need to pick up the short explanatory guide from the Lacaune Tourist Office beforehand to really enjoy it. In this case, take the barely visible path just to the right of the sign and follow the markings consisting of a brown cow painted on a white background. These markings are quite sparse and the visit sometimes turns into a treasure hunt, but another set of markings (fluorescent green circle + white circle) takes over and makes things easier.

The hike described here takes into account the visit to the site (time and distance).

In either case, continue the hike by keeping left on the wide track and heading towards an intersection.

(7) Turn left (signposted Les Pansières) then, at the next intersection, make a right-left turn and head into the forest on a wide grassy path that is very little used, judging by the sometimes overgrown vegetation.

Old and rare yellowPR® markings

(8) When you reach a faint fork in the path, turn left and continue climbing through the forest amid increasingly dense vegetation, which makes progress a little difficult. Do not rely on the almost non-existent markings, but follow the clearly visible trail on the ground.

Continue to a small pile of rocks that marks the approach to the summit of Mont Roucous.
At the marker on the ground a few dozen metres further on, turn right to enjoy the view of the Lacaune basin and the panorama that unfolds before you. Turn around.

No markings

(8) Turn left, keep right at the fork about 50 metres further on and follow the wide path that makes a sharp right turn before leading to a track.

(9) Turn left onto the track, continue on, noting the pile of rocks on your left, and arrive at an intersection. Turn right at the hairpin bend and continue on the wide path after passing through the metal gate that blocks the entrance.

(10) Be careful at this junction, which is not very visible on the ground!

Leave this path by turning left onto another narrower path. This path crosses the beds of small streams several times, with a few wet and slippery sections, but these are not dangerous. Continue to the D622 at the Roc de l'Esclop rest area (sign). Turn right onto the road (take care) and continue to another car park on the left about a hundred metres further on.

Signposting Signs In the footsteps of the Wild Child

(11) After taking the time to read the information sign, descend to the left onto a well-marked path that begins with steps. Follow this path, which is sometimes difficult and slippery, leading to the Children's Area on the left as you approach the stream. You will come to a picnic area with a few games: giant xylophone, gong, etc. Do not cross the footbridge on the left, but continue following the explanatory signs that lead to the "Treasure Hunt" section and join a fairly rough path (sign saying "continue on the path" with an arrow pointing to the right).

(12) Do not follow this sign, but turn left, cross the bridge over the stream and continue along a wide track that winds through the undergrowth.

(13) Be careful at this junction, which is not very visible on the ground!

About 50 metres before a sharp right-hand bend, leave the track and take a path on the left that is not very obvious for the first few metres. Go through an old, rusty metal gate and join a new track (signposted Chemin de Malefayère).

YellowPR® markings

(14) Turn left uphill and continue to the D622, which you will reach at the Col de la Bassine. Then simply turn left onto the hard shoulder of the busy road (take care) to quickly reach the starting point after crossing with all the usual precautions.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 886 m - Parking area on the D622.
  2. 1 : km 1.53 - alt. 970 m - Turn right, leaving the Les Pansières signpost behind you.
  3. 2 : km 3.27 - alt. 1,005 m - Turn right at the fork.
  4. 3 : km 4.01 - alt. 983 m - Crossroads of three paths
  5. 4 : km 6.42 - alt. 956 m - At the T-junction, leave the PR and turn left.
  6. 5 : km 7.65 - alt. 1,047 m - Les Pansières, trail junction
  7. 6 : km 10.47 - alt. 1,075 m - Explanatory panel at the Tourbières des Pansières
  8. 7 : km 10.99 - alt. 1,094 m - Crossroads, on the left
  9. 8 : km 11.38 - alt. 1,121 m - Junction, on the left
  10. 9 : km 12.68 - alt. 1,075 m - Track, on the left
  11. 10 : km 13.83 - alt. 1,006 m - Change of direction: pay close attention.
  12. 11 : km 15.15 - alt. 885 m - "In the footsteps of the Wild Child" trail
  13. 12 : km 15.57 - alt. 817 m - Treasure hunt area, fork to the left
  14. 13 : km 17.03 - alt. 751 m - Turn left uphill: be careful.
  15. 14 : km 17.43 - alt. 792 m - Chemin de Malefayère intersection, on the left
  16. S/E : km 18.73 - alt. 886 m - Parking area on the D622.

Notes

This hike is very pleasant in all seasons, but especially in summer because of the coolness provided by the many sections in the forest, and in autumn when the deciduous trees change colour.

The schedule takes into account the two hours needed to visit the Tourbière des Pansières.

Good footwear is essential: some rocky sections. Walking sticks are also recommended.

There is plenty of water along the route, but its safety cannot be guaranteed.

Worth a visit

Tourbière des Pansières

Duration: approximately 2 hours. 2.1 km route. Brochure (€4.20) available from the Lacaune Tourist Office:
Tel: 0563370498
www.tourisme-montsdelacaune.com

Brassac

A small village at the gateway to Sidobre. Pretty medieval bridge with two arches and castles.
www.tourisme-tarn.com

The Sidobre Rocks.

www.sidobre.tourisme-tarn.com

 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

4.5 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
gaudou
gaudou

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The bog was difficult to follow the markings. After the bogs, the markings were parish specific to Brittany and we spent quite a bit of time finding the path.

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ha-thai81
ha-thai81

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, ideal in hot weather as it is often shaded, with three points of interest. We ran into National Forestry Commission agents on the discovery trail. They kindly guided us along the trail, which is currently being redeveloped. It is a magnificent trail between peat bogs, footbridges, blueberry picking and unspoilt nature. Then we climbed Mont Roucou and its underground spring, which flows a little lower down, with a beautiful view of the Lacaune mountains. Then we followed in the footsteps of the wild child on a trail that is not to be missed.
In short, we had a wonderful time.
Thank you to the author of this hike.

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dgibert
dgibert

Hello,
For your information, we went hiking yesterday with a group of walkers from Toulouse. Unfortunately, this route has become very difficult to follow.
Given the spring weather conditions, the vegetation has grown thickly. The bog discovery trail has become impassable. The path is no longer visible in some places, and the first wooden footbridge has not been maintained and has become dangerous. We turned back at this point, as it was difficult to lead a group in these conditions. I contacted the Lacaune Tourist Office, who told me that this trail was the responsibility of the ONF (French National Forestry Office) and that they were already aware of its poor condition, which I confirmed on my part.
Visibility at the top of Mont Roucou is very poor due to the growth of trees, which partially obscure the view of the Lacaune valley.
Some paths are in very poor condition, even impassable, due to logging in the forest.
Therefore, this route is not recommended for those who want to go hiking with their families.
I think you should put a warning on this trail.
Kind regards,
Dominique

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CLEMAURIN
CLEMAURIN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

modification of the last part of the route to reach the Col de la Bassine.

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Rando EricetJO
Rando EricetJO

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello
A very beautiful hike, especially Mont Roucous. You can shorten the route between 2 and 5 with a 1:25,000 map. From 3 to 4, there is little of interest in terms of trails and roads.

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jacquou81
jacquou81

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Description accurately reflects reality.
Superb hike.

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Fabienne4454
Fabienne4454
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely walk in the shade of the trees.
The route through the peat bogs is well marked and easy to follow (there is a white bull symbol on the trees at regular intervals).
GPS tracking

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potiers
potiers

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hike completed on Saturday, 28 July. Very beautiful scenery, although we didn't see everything, particularly the wild child discovery route, because we got lost. Fortunately, we had a compass and found our way back to the starting point. We promised ourselves we would do this hike again more seriously.

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ericmass81
ericmass81

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A pleasant hike for experienced hikers who are skilled at reading maps.
In fact, there are virtually no markings. As a result, it is really necessary to follow the explanations, which are realistic.
However, the Tourbière discovery route is difficult to follow because the markings are hard to identify and the path is cluttered and poorly maintained.
No major difficulties encountered in general along the entire route.
The route can be completed in less than 6 hours.

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madydou
madydou ★

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 21, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello Jean-Jacques
Many thanks for sharing this hike in the Monts de Lacaune.
There were nine of us in our group and we all had a wonderful day.
We really enjoyed the scenery, the wilderness and the shaded trails.
Some of the less well-marked trails were quite amusing as they resembled bartas, which we really like
The only place where we really struggled to find a solution was the first discovery trail.
The vagaries of winter and lack of maintenance had virtually closed the path.
When we arrived at the lake, after much wandering, we gave up and turned back.
Perhaps this should be reported to a service in Lacaune?
The second discovery trail, the wild child, was very fun.

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81randosergio
81randosergio

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 21, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

I got a bit lost between points 8 and 9. The text should be amended to read: (8) and turn left, at the next Y junction take the right-hand descent.

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jeanmarieeliane
jeanmarieeliane

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The path leading down to L'Enfant Sauvage is in very poor condition, which is not pleasant. It would be better to follow the main track and turn left at the crossroads to go down to the L'Enfant Sauvage car park.

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