Roc de Nouret

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On the western slopes of the Pic de Nore lies a block of gneiss, the Roc de Nouret, isolated on this windswept moorland, where broom and thorn bushes share the space. Higher up, the Bois de Combe Escure, which overlooks the ravine of the same name – the border between the Aude and Tarn departments – marks the watershed between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. A leisurely return to the village via the Bayours forest track.

Details

n°28109397
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.51 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,352 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,335 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,799 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,740 ft
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Photos

the Roc de Nouret

Description of the walk

Park at Place de la Tour in Pradelles-Cabardès.

PR (yellow line + Yellow Circle) combined with other local markings

(S/E) Leave Place de la Tour via the Grand Rue. Turn right onto the Cote de Pech and head up to the Route du Pic de Nore.

(1) Cross this road and follow the Sentier des Glacières opposite, which enters the Bois du Batut. Pass three ice houses (one on the left and two on the right) before walking alongside a low wall made of stones set on their sides. You’ll reach the junction at the Croix des Pailhès.

(2) Turn right after the monolithic bridge and begin the climb northwards.

(3) After a slight detour, follow the edge of the Bois du Batut. Turn north-west and, across the moorland, reach the Roc de Nouret (a large cairn marks its location off the path to the left).

(4) Descend into a hollow and then reach a junction.

(5) Turn right, head north-east and arrive at the five-way junction.

(6) Head straight on, following the sign for “Castans via the Pic de Nore”, then turn right above Les Combes.

(7) At the crossroads, head up the slope on the left, away from the Pic de Nore site and its digital terrestrial television (DTT) facilities. Turn left before the Roc du Couïllou.

(8) On the watershed, turn left at the edge of the Bois de Combe Escure. Head down towards the west, then turn south to reach the Rieu Cros.

(9) Cross it and continue on level ground for a short while, before joining a track suitable for vehicles. Follow this track to reach the Prat Jouy crossroads.

(10) Go straight on along the Piste des Bayours, passing the ruins of an old sheepfold.

(11) Turn left towards Pradelles onto the Chemin de Peyre Albert. You’ll reach the junction at the Croix des Pailhès.

(2) Retrace your steps along the route you took at the start, heading back towards Pradelles, crossing the D87 and then descending to the village centre via the Cote de Pech and the Grand Rue, arriving at Place de la Tour (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,746 ft - Place de la Tour in Pradelles-Cabardès. Near the - Arnette (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.19 - alt. 2,792 ft - Crossing the Pic de Nore road
  3. 2 : mi 0.46 - alt. 2,897 ft - Crossroads – Croix de Janvergne
  4. 3 : mi 0.63 - alt. 3,045 ft - Edge of the Bois du Batut
  5. 4 : mi 1.68 - alt. 3,514 ft - Roc de Nouret
  6. 5 : mi 1.93 - alt. 3,491 ft - Menhir crossroads
  7. 6 : mi 2.14 - alt. 3,386 ft - The Five Trails
  8. 7 : mi 2.51 - alt. 3,412 ft - Carrefour des Combes
  9. 8 : mi 3.31 - alt. 3,763 ft - Combe Escure Wood
  10. 9 : mi 4.8 - alt. 2,956 ft - Rieu Cros
  11. 10 : mi 5.57 - alt. 2,841 ft - Prat Jouy crossroads
  12. 11 : mi 6.26 - alt. 2,841 ft - Les Bayours
  13. S/E : mi 7.51 - alt. 2,746 ft - Place de la Tour in Pradelles-Cabardès

Notes

You can start the signposted circular route from the lake car park (+ 2 km).

Lake Birotos: supervised swimming in summer, refreshment bar and campsite.

Measurements taken using a GPS: elevation gain 460 m

Worth a visit

Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church in Pradelles-Cabardès: The bell tower, or Romanesque tower, is the former watchtower of a castle. A carillon is installed there.

“Glacières” route (locally signposted).

Pic de Nore (via the D 87) – Exceptional views… weather permitting! Several walking routes lead up to the summit from the village: Chemin de la Cabane d’Hélène, Sentier de l’Arnette,GR® 36.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 3 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Hachail
Hachail

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk in winter (with trousers on).
There was ice in some places, but it wasn’t a problem.
A return trip to the ‘summit’ of the Pic de Nore can be done in no time at all.
Hunters.
A visit to the church is recommended: you can even ring the bells! (First time I’ve ever seen that).
The estimated duration of the walk seems overestimated: it took us 4 hours at a leisurely pace, including at least half an hour for a picnic.
Many thanks to the hiker who posted this route.
Note: I don’t use the directions, just the GPS track.

Machine-translated

jeanmonique 11
jeanmonique 11

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route is well-used between points 1 and 8; from point 8 to 10, there are grassy sections and the path is difficult to follow
We started this route in reverse; at this time of year (August), it’s more pleasant to start with the track, which seems long on the way back.

Machine-translated

saphtich
saphtich

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We had no trouble finding a parking space in front of the church. The walk is very pleasant and not at all difficult. The information provided was accurate. There’s a lovely view from the Roc de Nouret.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking The Pic de Nore

Association / Club / Walk leader
Le Pic de Nore
↔6.26 mi ↗+1,598 ft ↘-1,601 ft ◔4h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pradelles-Cabardès (Aude)
Pic de Nore is the highest point of the Montagne Noire (1,211 m). The climb is fairly easy from the typical village of Pradelles Cabardès. It mainly takes you through beech forests with views of moorland offering superb panoramas to the south over the Pyrenees and to the north over the Espinouse. In addition to the Pic de Nore, which offers a magnificent 360° view, this circuit allows you to visit the "Cabane d'Hélène" menhirs and the famous ice houses of Pradelles.

Walking Roc de Nouret from Pradelles-Cabardés

Visorando Member
Le Roc de Nouret au départ de Pradelles-Cabardés
↔6.26 mi ↗+1,089 ft ↘-1,073 ft ◔3h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pradelles-Cabardès (Aude)
This hike is best done in spring in good weather to enjoy the magnificent views of the Pyrenees, the Carcassonne plain and the Mazametain. You will also have the opportunity to see an ice house and small menhirs. The vegetation is varied: sometimes Mediterranean, sometimes more mountainous. This hike is partially marked with a yellow line, a green line and a yellow dot.

Walking The Pic de Nore

Visorando Member
Le Pic de Nore
↔7.11 mi ↗+1,430 ft ↘-1,430 ft ◔4h 30 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pradelles-Cabardès (Aude)
A fantastic hike starting from Lake Pradelles-Cabardès leading to Pic de Nore, the highest peak of the Montagne Noire, with its breathtaking 360° view stretching from Hérault to Tarn via Aude, Pyrénées Orientales, Ariège and Haute Garonne.

Walking Le Pas de Montsarrat

Visorando Member
Le Pas de Montsarrat
↔8.00 mi ↗+1,047 ft ↘-1,024 ft ◔4h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pradelles-Cabardès (Aude)
Facing the Pic de Nore, which saw the Tour de France pass through in 2018, the wind turbines installed on Mont Sarrat and spread across the municipalities of Pradelles-Cabardès and Cabrespine immediately catch the eye. TheGR®36, coming from Pic de Nore, winds its way at the foot of the masts before plunging towards Carcassonne via the Pas de Montsarrat, an ancient "Roman" communication route. The short length of the route offers the opportunity to extend the hike along the lake (see practical information).

Walking Circular route through the Nore forests via the Pic de Nore.

Visorando Member
↔11.25 mi ↗+1,706 ft ↘-1,703 ft ◔6h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pradelles-Cabardès (Aude)
A circular route through the Nore National Forest, passing through the Nore gate and the Pic de Nore, also known as the little Ventoux for its climate and its red and white telecommunications tower. The climb through the conifer and beech forests is gentle, but the descent to Pradelles-Cabardès is steep! In winter, it is possible to do all or part of the route on snowshoes, depending on snow conditions. Be careful, there is a ford to cross!

Walking The Pic de Nore

Visorando Member
Le Pic de Nore
↔10.75 mi ↗+2,185 ft ↘-2,178 ft ◔6h 50 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Pradelles-Cabardès (Aude)
The Pic de Nore is the highest point and iconic summit of the Montagne Noire, with its transmitter visible for dozens of kilometres around. The circuit described here allows you to make the ascent without any difficulty, passing by several exceptional viewpoints over the Pyrenees. Two menhirs along the way and a visit to the old ice houses in Pradelles-Cabardès are a pleasant addition to this varied hike at medium altitude.

Walking The sources of the Clamoux

Visorando Member
Les sources de la Clamoux
↔8.33 mi ↗+1,781 ft ↘-1,775 ft ◔5h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Castans (Aude)
The Clamoux, a small river and tributary of the Orbiel, rises on the slopes of Pic de Nore, the iconic peak of the Montagne Noire, where a Tour de France relay station stands. Following forest tracks, with climbs of varying difficulty, you arrive near the source of the Clamoux, a small stream at the start, which you follow on the right bank, off the marked trail, descending into the Soulanes de Nore National Forest to Laviale, which, along with six other hamlets, makes up the village of Castans.

Walking Roquerlan loop

Visorando Member
Boucle de Roquerlan
↔7.21 mi ↗+1,109 ft ↘-1,093 ft ◔4h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Mazamet (Tarn)
An easy hike, ideal for those who love peace and quiet and walking in the forest, offering a gentle introduction to the Montagne Noire and the Massif de Nore. The route combines sunken paths lined with beautiful hawthorn and holly hedges, clearings, pastures and large forest areas where spruce trees grow alongside deciduous trees. A breath of fresh air on the outskirts of Mazamet.

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