Short loop of the Desert: from Mas Soubeyran to Les Puechs and back via Mialet

A lovely loop through the woods with several viewpoints.

Details

1220308
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.73 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 311 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 314 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 431 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 153 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park of the Musée du Désert at Mas Soubeyran.

(S/E) From the Musée du Désert: behind the small restaurant, a sign indicates the path. Head towards Les Puechs via La Baumelle: yellow trail. With your back to the museum, walk to the La Baumelle crossroads.

(1) Turn left: the path climbs towards the hamlet of La Baumelle.
Note: a trickle of water covers this part of the path, which may be slippery in places.

(2) Cross this pretty hamlet and then follow the track that veers north-west.

(3) When you reach the road, turn right and follow it to the Tour du Knoll crossroads.

(4) Take the path on the left towards the dolmen and follow the yellow markings.
The path heads due north. Join the D450 road again.

(5) Turn left onto the road and continue to the second bend.

(6) Here, the trail continues along the road, but the markings invite you to take a path: follow the yellow markings, slightly to the left.

(7) At La Rouvière, you will see another signpost: turn left towards Mialet. Continue along the path through the woods until you reach the hamlet of La Blancharde.

(8) Cross a small stone bridge and turn left onto the road. About 100 metres after the bridge, take the small path that branches off to the right, above the road. A beautiful yellow cross advises you not to follow the road but to take the path to reach Mialet.

(9) A sign indicates Mas de Soubeyran. Cross the road to walk between the houses and then follow the river to reach a final intersection at the hamlet of Trabuc.

(10) Turn left, cross the road and continue for about ten metres: a small sign indicates theGR®® and the path continues. The start is quite steep but the rest is easier. Arrive at Mas de Soubeyran, where you will find the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 182 m - Mas Soubeyran (Desert Museum)
  2. 1 : km 0.54 - alt. 186 m - Ascent to La Baumelle
  3. 2 : km 1.32 - alt. 298 m - La Baumelle, a path suitable for vehicles - La baumelle
  4. 3 : km 2.33 - alt. 403 m - Route to the Dolmen
  5. 4 : km 2.61 - alt. 431 m - Tour du Knoll
  6. 5 : km 3.56 - alt. 405 m - Route des Puechs
  7. 6 : km 3.86 - alt. 417 m - Path to La Rouvière
  8. 7 : km 4.37 - alt. 427 m - La Rouvrière
  9. 8 : km 6.75 - alt. 169 m - Blancharde Bridge
  10. 9 : km 7.41 - alt. 177 m - Mialet
  11. 10 : km 8.52 - alt. 158 m - Trabuc: climb back up to Soubeyran
  12. S/E : km 9.73 - alt. 183 m - Mas Soubeyran (Desert Museum)

Notes

Some paths are covered with loose stones: there is no difficulty, but it is best to wear hiking boots to avoid injury.

The path is well signposted and there is a refreshment bar waiting for you in Mialet!

Worth a visit

At the start or finish, the Musée du Désert will open its doors to you.

If you have time and the weather permits, you can take a dip in the Gardon river!

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 34 reviews

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

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A short hike in beautiful weather, going in the opposite direction as suggested. Some areas were very pretty, while others were uninteresting (either in terms of views or diversity of vegetation).

Machine-translated

Les2Mi
Les2Mi

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We chose to do the circular in reverse.
It is a very beautiful hike along a PR (regional footpath) and a short section of the GR Stevenson trail. The views are magnificent.
The route is well marked. We hesitated at Hameau la Baumelle. You have to go down to the left of the buildings and pass between two buildings.
We did this hike after it had rained. Be careful! You need to be vigilant because the limestone slabs are very slippery and walking sticks can be useful...

Machine-translated

Denis26
Denis26 ★

Thank you, User 2459813, for this comment. I have just corrected the description accordingly.

Machine-translated

User 2459813

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

This hike is great, but the description needs clarification.
"After 7, pay attention to the signposts: do not follow the uphill section of the GR. Take the small, discreet path (not the track) on the left (signpost on a tree hidden by other trees) which descends (very stony) towards Mialet; it would be worth doing it in the other direction (see previous comment).

Machine-translated

User 2459813

date of the hike: 2 November 2025
This hike is great, but the description needs clarification
"After 7, pay attention to the signposts: do not follow the uphill section of the GR. Take the small path on the left that descends (very rocky) towards Mialet (signpost on a tree hidden by other trees).

Machine-translated

PhilZ
PhilZ

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

10 km, little elevation gain, we were off for a pleasant walk. And so it was, with good conditions at the end of September, fine weather and dry ground.
However, good shoes are recommended, even in dry weather, because in the second part, the very long stony descent skirts the glacial moraine. You spend a lot of time watching where you put your feet. Trainers are not recommended, as they are unsuitable.
As a result, this circular would be better walked in the opposite direction, so that you climb the scree in the first part rather than descending it. What's more, in this direction, you start with the less enjoyable "road" section and finish with the "wild" section. And the route would be just as easy to follow in the opposite direction.
However, between Mialet and Mas Soubeyran, finding your way is not always easy without the GPS position on the Visorando map.
The final reward is on the terrace (only two tables) at the little café in Mas Soubeyran.

Machine-translated

Zabuza
Zabuza

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk offering superb views. The only downside is the descent to Mialet, which is very stony and quite long. Recommended.

Machine-translated

User 25952492

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike done with my two children aged 8 and 6... Maybe a bit long for my little ones.
Tip: do it early in the day, not in summer...

Machine-translated

Houpie
Houpie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful loop, well signposted, a few sections along the road but no danger... beautiful views, detour along the river... Worth doing again 🤩🥰

Machine-translated

Sandrine elodyl
Sandrine elodyl

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice walk with no particular difficulties
The route description is accurate
The only downside is the descent to Mialet, which is very stony, I think due to all the bad weather
The crossing of Mialet is very pretty
Be careful on the climb back up to the starting point... There's a small path on the left as you leave Mialet that's not very obvious

Machine-translated

Prochazka
Prochazka

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The descent to Mialet was very rocky and unstable; if I have to do this hike again, I will do it in the opposite direction.

Machine-translated

skorpion222
skorpion222
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike. At point 7, you really need to pay attention and take the famous little path on the left that goes downhill. The hike is well marked. We had a picnic near the water and it was nice to dip our feet in. We took the opportunity to visit the Trabuc cave, only 1 km away (€14 for a 1-hour tour). Don't hesitate, it's magnificent

Machine-translated

GEPE002
GEPE002

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Superb, nothing to complain about, but as additional information, after the descent on the pebbles, which can be difficult for some, it is possible to follow the Gardon river along a very pretty path that arrives below the car park, which can be reached via a 200-metre path that is formerly tarmac, steep but without pebbles! The Mialet cooperative refreshment bar is closed, but the bistro at the Desert Museum is open and serves draught beer!
Thank you for this hike
GP

Machine-translated

Zibounu
Zibounu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike. Thank you.

Machine-translated

Anai06
Anai06

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

The details of the hike are very clear . I recommend the route as indicated because the climb is better at the beginning, especially in hot weather 😉 The hamlets you pass through are very beautiful and the walk near the mill is perfect for a well-deserved refreshment (August). The stony descent to Mialet is difficult but worth it 😉 I recommend this walk and a rest on JeanPaul's shaded terrace near the desert museum 🥵

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.