The Sagnasse short hiking trail

Water

Embed this item to access it offline

The Sorgues river, the Sagnasse wetlands and several small springs irrigate this stroll which runs mainly through forests between valley and plateau. A most beautiful hike!

Once you have walked across the 14th century old bridge which spans over the Sorgues in Lapeyre, a getaway through the forest awaits you. Along this shaded walking loop that culminates on the Clipis plateau, you will explore the Sagnasse, a natural environment characterised by its small springs, its tufa formations and its surprising wetlands which are a breeding ground for plant biodiversity.

3 points of interest

History and heritage

Village of Lapeyre

This village was controlled by the Templars Commandery during the 12th century and has kept much of its medieval architecture with its old houses clustered around the Tower. There is also the tombstone of Médora Leig, a daughter of the English poet Lord Byron which you can visit in the graveyard.

Architecture

Pont vieux in Lapeyre

This Pont Vieux dates back to the 13th century. According to the archives of the Vabres bishopric, the Lapeyre, Saint-Affrique and Vabres Ponts Vieux would have been commissioned concurrently to the same contractor. The Lapeyre Pont Vieux displays a very elegant line with its single semicircular arch which enables an outstandingly effective drainage of the river flow even in case of the river flooding. The bridge deck provides well preserved medieval features: pebble paving and a row of bollards used to protect parapets from the bumping of carts.

History and heritage

Saint-Caprais church

Saint-Caprais church stands opposite the entrance to the graveyard. In 1058 it was given to the Saint-Victor Abbey in Marseille. During the middle ages, the church was the centre of a very old parish which included the Lapeyre, Montalègre and Versols castles. In a short period of time a monastery was set up here by the Marseille Benedictine monks, but the 18th century Cassini map only mentions a ruined priory. The rubble of the Romanesque church was cleared away in 1880 revealing its former outline in the ground. The carved tympanum contains several informative details. The upper arch moulding which is ornamented with acanthus leaves intertwined with a 3 braided strand, displays a pattern called “fond de corbeille” (basket weave) on its top. The rose-colored sandstone used in Lapeyre is identical to the type used in Conques. The embossed pattern and the acanthus leaves can also be seen in Conques on one of the capitals, which dates the tympanum during the 3rd quarter of the 11th century. From the graveyard, two arches, the remains of the ancient Saint Sauveur church, can be seen in the village. This church was built on the fortified rock from which the village of Lapeyre was given its name.

Description

From the carpark to the Pont Vieux : From the car park situated next to the graveyard, take left the D92 road that crosses the bridge and leads to the village. When you get near the bus stop turn to the left and take the rue du Pont Vieux.
From the Pont Vieux to the Clipis plateau: Once you’ve crossed the Pont Vieux, take to the right towards Clipis via la Sagnasse. Follow left for 50 m a small rising path through the woodland up to the plateau. Walk around a field, take left a small path that goes up to join the large logging road.
From the Clipis plateau to Lapeyre: Turn twice to the left to walk downhill to Lapeyre by following the chemin de la Bourgatte. When you reach the Pont Vieux do not cross it and take to the right the path that runs down, crosses a walkway, goes along the cave and joins the Gissac road nearby the carpark.

Departure : Lapeyre

Arrival : Lapeyre

Towns crossed : Versols-et-Lapeyre

Altimetric profile

Recommandations

Box tree moths are active from May to October. During the caterpillar phase, they feed on the leaves of box trees. They crawl down trees and move on long silken threads, although these threads are annoying when hiking they do not pose any health risk

Information desks

Avenue de Lauras, 12250 Roquefort/Soulzon

http://www.roquefort-tourisme.fr/

contact@roquefort-tourisme.fr

0565585600

Situated in the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park, the cheese village of Roquefort stretches on the hillside over the famous scree of the Combalou Rock, in southern Larzac. The village is at an elevation of 630 m and has 700 inhabitants.

OPENING PERIODS:

The Tourist Office is open all year round:

In July and August, Monday to Saturday: 9.30 to 18.30, Sunday: 10.00 to 17.00.
April, May, June, September, October; Monday to Saturday: 9.30 to 12.15 & 13.00 to 17.30, closed on Sunday.
January, February, November, December; Monday to Friday: 9.30 to 12.15 & 13.00 to 17.00, closed on Saturday and Sunday.

Find out more

Transport

To get more details, click on: site internet de l'Office de Tourisme and on: Occitanie Transports

There is a bus station in St Affrique (lines 202) and a railway station in Tournemire (regional line).

Access and parking

From Saint-Affrique, follow the D7 towards Cornus. Once in Lapeyre, which is the first village you drive through, turn right towards Gissac and park your vehicle next to the graveyard.

Parking :

Cimetary carpark

Report a problem or an error

If you have found an error on this page or if you have noticed any problems during your hike, please report them to us here:

Close by

Where to sleep ?

What to see

Versols castle

At the heart of the castrum (fortified square) of Versols, progressively reinforced from the 11th to the 14th century and of which interesting elements still exist (vestiges of the surrounding wall, towers, fortified square, the castellum (castle) present impressive remains, notably its interior courtyard, its vaulted rooms, the ancient "aula" (lords' room) modified during the Renaissance... The guided and commentated visit of this place inhabited by the original family enable the workings of the "castrum-castellum partnership" (essential security role) and its historical and architectural evolution to be evoked.