Visit to La Couvertoirade

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This is a short walk for the whole family, which also allows you to spot several starting points for longer hikes. You can enjoy a pleasant path, cross a meadow, and on the way back, climb a small hill to admire the restored mill.
Final destination: a visit to the fortified village of La Couvertoirade, which is entirely pedestrianised.

Details

n°1085590
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.18 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 51 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 47 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 808 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 761 m
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Photos

The towers of La Couvertoirade
View over the rooftops
La Couvertoirade
The Larzac plateau

Description of the walk

Park in the paid car park at the entrance to La Couvertoirade.

(S/E) Take the road heading north-east towards the village.

(1) Turn right at the first road to drive along the village on your left. You will see a sign forthe GR®71, follow it. Admire the village's lavogne, which is used to water the sheep.

(2) Leave theGR®71and turn right onto a path. At the next crossroads, turn left and follow the path, which takes you slightly uphill so you can admire the mill and the ramparts from a distance.

(3) At the end of the straight line, leave the stone path and turn left, heading north, to cross a large meadow. The path is not marked but is easy to follow. Continue straight ahead and you will soon find the stone path (GR®71).
Turn left towards the south-west until you reach the crossroads from the outward journey.

(2) Turn right just before the barn and continue.

(4) Turn right to visit the restored mill site and retrace your steps to return to the village. There is only one path and you will always be able to see it.
The suggested route allows you to visit La Couvertoirade at your leisure.
On leaving, take the road on the left to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 776 m - Paid parking is compulsory.
  2. 1 : km 0.2 - alt. 777 m - First road on the right
  3. 2 : km 0.64 - alt. 769 m - Crossroads of the circular
  4. 3 : km 1.16 - alt. 791 m - On the left, cross a large meadow.
  5. 4 : km 2.31 - alt. 780 m - Mill fork
  6. S/E : km 3.18 - alt. 776 m - Paid parking is compulsory.

Notes

Bring hats and sunglasses for hot days.
Parking is paid and compulsory; the money is used to pay the employees who maintain the village, guide tours, etc., and to continue renovating the village and its surroundings.
You will find refreshments and food available during your visit to the village.

Worth a visit

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

4.5 / 5
Based on 12 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Lorapalm
Lorapalm

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2023
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk behind the village and up the hill where the mill stands.

But the village of La Couvetoirade is a micro amusement park, a totally fake tourist trap and therefore dispensable.

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Permaf30
Permaf30

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 06, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very interesting route to complement your visit to the village and ramparts. Not too many visitors early in the morning. From the mill on the hill, there is a superb 360° view. I recommend it.

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jolo07
jolo07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very interesting route, easy to do with children under 4 years old
Possibility of alternative routes
Paved slanting streets in the village currently undergoing renovation

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Fi46
Fi46

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant, easy route with interesting points of interest.
Possible variations

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Vendinielle
Vendinielle

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant addition to a visit to the village

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nhillou
nhillou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant circular to round off a fabulous visit to La Couvertoirade (don't miss the ramparts!), the mill is also nice. Easy hike. Beautiful view of the entire site. It's difficult to find your bearings as you have to guess where you are (3)... a GPS is recommended.

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GFLANDROIS
GFLANDROIS

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Despite the grey weather, beautiful views of this remarkable village.
A pleasant and very easy walk.
The village is not yet overrun by tourists but is still lively.

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JL Pinot Noir
JL Pinot Noir

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful village steeped in history. Rugged but beautiful landscape.
Not recommended during busy periods.

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randofrater4s
randofrater4s

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The unmarked path across the field is not easy to find.
The village was quite deserted and many shops were closed

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nous2enbalade
nous2enbalade

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A pleasant and interesting little walk

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cali47
cali47

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Beautiful village, well restored.

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milou81
milou81

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 16, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Nothing to complain about and a very, very beautiful village.

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