The postman path
A good stamina is required to complete this long hiking loop that runs down into the Tarn valley only to climb back onto the causse, and on up to the promontory of Auriac. An incredible walking tour that winds its way throughout a little known area of the causse. A vast expanse of space and silence overlooking the village of Saint-Rome-de-Tarn. Don’t worry, the postman did not have to complete the whole route!
1 point of interest
DolmenTiergues dolmen
Listed as a historical monument, the Tiergues dolmen is part of the 20 or so dolmens which have been recorded in the area, some of them being poorly-preserved. The excavations of these megaliths were carried out by Emile Cartailhac during the 20th century and today their artefacts are scattered throughout Midi- Pyrennées (Rodez, Toulouse…)
Description
- From the carpark, walk round to the left of the waste reprocessing buildings and go through the tunnel which is under the road. Turn to the right and carry on along the D 250 road.
- From the dolmen, continue to the West towards Saint Victor until you reach the cross of Baldassé.
- Head towards the Casse and follow the small tarred road up to the farm. Take a dirt road to the left which is almost parallel to the high voltage power line. Follow this path that runs gently downhill and goes between the undergrowth up to a transformer. Keep going straight on and 500 m further on leave the path that rises to the right. Walk along the base of a field and join the old path linking Saint-Rome-de-Tarn to the Rosière, called "chemin du facteur" (the postman’s path). Carry on between two cultivated fields lined with trees. Leave the Cadenède path that you will see on coming from the left. Keep walking between the undergrowth by following a stony path until you reach the plateau.
- Start to walk downhill towards Saint-Rome de Tarn. Ford the Lévejac brook, and carry on until you reach road D993 which you cross.
- Take to the left fork towards the North-West, on the path that overlooks the road. Fork south to drop down towards Saint-Rome de Tarn. Get back on to the D993 which you take to the right. After the hairpin bend, climb the steps to the right leading to a path which rises up to Auriac.
- From the highest point of Auriac which provides outstanding scenic views over the Tarn valley, take the "le circuit des pins" (pine circuit) that ascends among the shadbushes and junipers. Once you reach a track suitable for vehicles, follow it and join the TV relay trail.
- Continue straight ahead up to a small road. Take this road to the right for 100 m and leave it to your left by a recently opened path, then a trail and a tarred road. Ignore the paths that lead to the Axous and Puech Ricard. Instead keep walking until you reach the D 31 road.
- Take the path opposite that leads to the Caussanel farm. Join the trail which runs parallel to the Fourniou brook. Cross the brook and continue between some undergrowth. At the edge of the undergrowth, cross the rec, and after a hairpin bend, you reach a trail. Follow this trail to the right until you reach the front of the waste sorting centre.
- Departure : Car park in Tiergues, near to the waste reprocessing building
- Arrival : Car park in Tiergues, near to the waste reprocessing building
- Towns crossed : Saint-Affrique, Saint-Rome-de-Tarn, and Saint-Rome-de-Cernon
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Box tree months 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
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.
Transport
Travel by bus or train: https://lio.laregion.fr/
Carpooling : BlaBlaCar, Rézo Pouce, Mobicoop, Idvroom, LaRoueVerte, Roulez malin
Access and parking
More information
Source
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