Roc de Carbonade and Croix des Goutals

Date of your route : Jun 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The route is difficult to follow because the yellow markings are hard to see or missing, with long distances without any landmarks. It is a route marked for mountain bikes.
The two viewpoints are not signposted; we only saw the cross because it protrudes from the summit. The route is mainly through woodland, which is pleasant when it is hot, but there are very few views.

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Date of your route : Jul 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Shaded route appreciated during periods of high heat

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Date of your route : Sep 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We started this hike from the Ours campsite at the entrance to Saint Urcize and walked backwards for a total of almost 17 km (different return route to get back to the campsite). Both viewpoints are worth the detour. Lots of shade. Very pleasant hike.

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Date of your route : Aug 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We did not complete the entire route and took a shortcut trail at point 8.
Distance covered (7.5 km)
It's a great walk when it's hot because most of it is in the forest.
Thank you

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Date of your route : Jul 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely hike that we extended with a start and finish in Saint Urcize. Thank you for sharing.

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Date of your route : Jun 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very shaded hike. Perfect for hot weather.

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

A very interesting hike. Before point 5, the markings are sometimes unclear. You have to leave the trail at point 5 (or a little after) to reach Roc de Carbonnade. I completely agree with the comments made by "Katden 12150".
The descent after the cross is a bit monotonous... but you have to come back!

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Date of your route : Sep 11, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This hike offers two superb views of the Aubrac region from the Carbonade rock and the Goutals cross. The route description could be improved:
At point 2, follow the fence for about 300 metres, not 1 kilometre, and cross a chicane to take the path at a right angle (left) to the fence.
At point 5: to reach the viewpoint at the Carbonade rock, it is better to follow the path until you cross a chicane, then backtrack slightly across the meadow to the viewpoint. This is better than crossing the barbed wire fence.
Finally, at point 9: to reach the Croix des Goutals viewpoint, cross the fence using the appropriate device at the foot of the ski lift pylon.
A beautiful hike with no difficulties except for the steep slope up the ski slope, but it is not very long.

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Date of your route : Jul 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, shaded hike along the entire route (suitable even in hot weather). No tarmac.
Don't forget to climb up to the Croix des Goutals to enjoy the 360° view.

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Date of your route : Sep 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike at the beginning of September, taking three hours with very few people on the trail. Most of the route is through forest, but we made a few detours to better enjoy the magnificent views of the Aubrac plateaus. And the icing on the cake was a deer that appeared 10 metres away from us at the edge of the forest. Good luck to him, as there are many hunting hides in the area!

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Date of your route : May 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in May 2021.
Very beautiful views that are representative of this beautiful region. You have to leave the trail at point 5 to reach the Roc de Carbonnade.
It's easy to take a 5 km detour there and back along the paths to visit the superb little town of Saint Urcize.

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Date of your route : Oct 26, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb, easy hike except for the section near the downhill ski slope, which is quite steep. Otherwise, it's beautiful in the forest and well signposted.

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Date of your route : Aug 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, well-shaded hike with two superb viewpoints over the wonderful landscapes of Aubrac. The route on the map is not very precise at point 8, but just follow the yellow markings. The end of the hike (points 10 and 11) is not very interesting.

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Date of your route : Aug 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It was warm, so the walk in the forest was rather pleasant.

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Date of your route : May 24, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A fairly easy hike, which we did at the end of May during lockdown, covering 100km, which meant we didn't meet anyone, despite it being the weekend of the transhumance (which was cancelled). Located on either side of the St Urcize ski resort, it is easy to get there and park. Although some of the markings had disappeared and the path had been abandoned due to lockdown, it is impossible to get lost. Once you reach Roc de Carbonade, it is the perfect spot for a picnic. Before that, there are some beautiful areas of peat bogs and water sources covered in spring flowers – it's wonderful. Further on, after a pretty forest path (cross-country ski trail in winter), we climb above the ski lift at Croix des Goutals at an altitude of 1,365 metres to enjoy a sublime 360° view over three departments. The summit is very windy, so don't forget that Aubrac is also a mountain with its own particular climate. We come from the Lot valley 40 km away (Espalion) and there is a 10-degree difference in temperature! The descent to the resort is easy, like a botanical trail dotted with wild orchids and the last narcissi. We did this hike again 15 days later, but in reverse, starting from the resort to reach the cross. A violent storm was approaching, so it was easy to descend via one of the ski slopes to take shelter and shorten the return journey. This is a very flexible walk that can easily be adapted to suit your preferences. Tourists can take advantage of the golden triangle: St Urcize-Nasbinals-Aubrac by car afterwards. The Aubrac is always a marvel.

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