The Pic Cassini from the Mas de la Barque

fr

Here too, in the Lozère region, a 360° summit bears the cartographer Cassini's famous name. Did he ever see, this cartographer, the map of this corner of Lozère? Perhaps not. On the other hand, this summit, which is easy to get to, offers a remarkable view, which can then be completed by a loop via the source of the Tarn river.

Technical sheet

n°14786779
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.77 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 367 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 368 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,679 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,348 m
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Description of the walk

Start: Park in the large car park at the Mas de la Barque.

(S/E) Take the wide forest track leading to the Forêt Domaniale du Mont-Lozère. An easy climb takes you to the Col de l'Aigle, where several trails meet.

(1) Continue straight ahead to reach the edge of the forest and complete the ascent to the Pic Cassini.

(2) Continue on the opposite slope and, on a pleasant descent, reach the Tarn river.

(3) Follow the river on its right bank. Pass the edge of the Bois des Canargues and continue until you reach the junction with the Sentier de Découverte.

(4) Bear right, still on the right bank of the Tarn, to reach a wide track and the Mas Camargues car park.

(5) Cross the Tarn on a superb stone bridge and continue on this track. Reach the houses of the hamlet of Bellecoste.

(6) Continue straight ahead on the GR®72 marked in red and white. This GR® is shared with the track, follow it and, in a right-hand bend, reach the forest.

(7) Continue under the trees and on the track to return very easily to the Mas de la Barque car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,425 m - Car park - Le Mas de la Barque
  2. 1 : km 3.03 - alt. 1,609 m - Col de l'Aigle (1604m)
  3. 2 : km 3.79 - alt. 1,671 m - Pic de Cassini (1680m)
  4. 3 : km 6.72 - alt. 1,541 m - Tarn (rivère)
  5. 4 : km 9.25 - alt. 1,394 m - Discovery trail
  6. 5 : km 10.26 - alt. 1,349 m - Mas Camargues
  7. 6 : km 11.83 - alt. 1,369 m - Bellecoste
  8. 7 : km 13.7 - alt. 1,426 m - Forest edge
  9. S/E : km 15.77 - alt. 1,425 m - Car park - Le Mas de la Barque

Practical information

Start: Park in the large car park at the Mas de la Barque.

Note: Between waypoints (3) and (5) swimming is possible in the basins of the Tarn river.

In the nearby area

(2) The Pic Cassini named after this cartographer
(3) Sources du Tarn: located slightly to the left of this point, but in summer and early autumn the trickle of water runs underground, but soon feeds the river that is famous for its gorges downstream.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

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

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Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 19 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
bernardino
bernardino ★

Hello and thank you very much for your latest comment on this outing to Pic de Cassini and the source of the Tarn. We are always keen to improve our trails based on feedback from our fellow hikers. However, having read the previous messages, I'm not sure what else to add. Perhaps you could point out the various difficult sections so that I can improve the description.
Enjoy your future hikes.

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User 26303432

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

No signposts on this hike, lack of precision at each crossroads, resulting in a wrong turn. We met a group who had the same route as us from Visorando and they also got lost.
The climb to the peak is pleasant, but the descent is not signposted and the rest of the hike is on a bare plain on a track in full sun with cars passing by, which isn't great!
We're glad we shortened it by taking the wrong turn!

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Clo31130
Clo31130
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Trip taken on 5 June 2025, very pleasant route with beautiful views. Easy route, all 29 members of our group completed it without difficulty.
We went to the source of the Tarn, which is a must-see to see where the first drops of water gather to create the Tarn. It is interesting to see how this small stream grows as it flows along the route to become a river.
A hike not to be missed.

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e&oblondel
e&oblondel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A magnificent, relatively uncrowded walk. Very easy route. Lots of snow today, and glorious sunshine.

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Robertdu30
Robertdu30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Lovely walk from start to finish, with beautiful scenery and an easy trail to follow. Ideal at this time of year when there's hardly anyone around. Hard to leave these parts. Definitely worth doing. Thanks for sharing this trail.

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etienne92.d
etienne92.d

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent walk. A little crowded at Cassini peak but no-one thereafter.
Good swimming spots between points 4 and 5.
I recommend this walk, thanks for the route

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fontenette
fontenette

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Lovely walk in blazing sunshine, but be careful on the sunny part of the route (hydration and sun cream).
The refreshment in the Tarn was TOP.
Superb view from the Pic
Beautiful site at Mas de la Barque

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Jeancridepertuis
Jeancridepertuis

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful scenery, easy walk.

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Daoud Kewit
Daoud Kewit

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This is a very fine walk in typical Lozère countryside, although there is little shade, which should be avoided in very hot weather.
No technical or physical difficulties, although the return from point (4) is less pleasant.
To avoid making mistakes, it is better to follow the GPS track rather than the instructions, particularly between (1) and (2).
Swimming is MANDATORY in the refreshing pools. You'll be spoilt for choice depending on whether you prefer them intimate (and therefore a little further from the path and smaller) or large and crowded (300m before the Mas Camargue bridge).

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CCh08410.
CCh08410.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

This was a very nice hike, with different, magnificent landscapes as the day progressed. On this outing, we went right back up to the source of the Tarn, just 20m further back and forth. A whole host of good moments and memories: 360°c to the Pic, a magnificent and varied forest, unaltered buildings (bridge and buildings), colours (broom, trees, stones, etc.)...

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philoup
philoup

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

It was a lovely, easy hike that could be done without reconnaissance, and the weather was fine.

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SebLel
SebLel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Superb hike.
There was a slight loss of route at the start from Pic Cassini, but it was made up for later on.
The end of the route from Mas Camargue is very monotonous, but the whole route is superb.

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OM
OM

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 27, 2023
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

It was a beautiful walk, despite the cold, grey and windy morning! We arrived at Pic Cassini in the fog, with a 360° view...but at 1m50! It felt like we were on Scottish moorland (well, as I imagine it would, having never been to Scotland ) There was something magical about it.... very, very beautiful
The afternoon was sunny, on the banks of the Tarn, which we saw change from a stream to a small river... also very nice, but in a different way!
With the GPS, there was no risk of getting lost, and the path was not difficult.
I'll probably do this walk again in the spring and I really recommend it.

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Mariannne
Mariannne

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We had a lot of wind and especially fog at the summit. So it was impossible to see the Alps or the sea!
A hike to do in spring.

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mlkwsk
mlkwsk

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful views, easy, varied walk, magnificent granite landscapes, Mas Camargue on the route is well worth a visit (mill, water supply system, farmhouse, etc.), the hamlet of Bellecoste is also very beautiful.

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