Saint Affrique horse riding circuit
Versols-et-Lapeyre

Saint Affrique horse riding circuit

Flora
Panorama
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This equestrian circuit, which goes through woodland and plateau, offers views over the Rougiers de Camarès.

This pleasant circuit through woodland provides beautiful scenic views over various landscapes and an outstanding flora which blossoms on the plateau during the spring season. Despite the difference in altitude from start to finish, this slightly stony circuit remains a comfortable ride.

4 points of interest

  • 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.

  • Small heritage

    The del Pas cross

    This large metal cross is situated at the junction of paths, which allows a beautiful view over the two sides of the Loubière plateau, the Sorgues side and the Rougiers side.
  • Flora

    Wild orchids

    The Aveyron provides contrasting and diverse landscapes that will put a spell on you. During your time hiking on the Causses across these large limestone plateaux which cover an area approximately one-third the size of the entire department, you will enjoy a great variety of flora.

    Hike through the dry grasslands which are so typical of these landscapes and provide a rich habitat for numerous orchid species with diverse forms, colors and fragrances: Dark-red Helleborine, Lesser Butterfly-orchid, Man Orchid, Lady Orchid, Fly Orchid and many more…
  • Panorama

    A view over the Sorgues valley

    This path which runs on the southern hillside of one of the Loubière vales will provide you with a wonderful scenic viewpoint over the Sorgues valley and the Frontal Causses.

Description

  1. From the Pont Vieux of Lapeyre (the old Lapeyre bridge) take the trail towards Guilhaumet and follow the markers shown by a horseshoe.
  2. Approximately 300m before Guilhaumet follow a path to your left (1) that goes up through the woods, then over Clipis (2) and reach the Croix del Pas (3). From the Croix del Pas follow the trail up towards the remnants of Goujoux (4) then walk up the Loubière to reach Puech Mets (5).
  3. From Puech Mets take the path that goes down towards Lapeyre via La Frégière (6) just before the bridge over the Sorgues take a left turn to reach The Pont Vieux (7).
  4.  
  5. This circuit, which is shaded by trees for the most part, gives access to outstanding sites and scenery (views on the Causses, the Sorgues valley, the Merdelou, the Rougier, the Lévézou, and the Monts de Lacaune). Despite some steeply graded tracks, the numerous chestnut and beech groves, heather and peat lands, and bouissières (a narrow passage defined by two rows of box trees) make this circuit very enjoyable. Although it has been specifically marked for horse riders, this circuit is also very popular with hikers.
  • Departure : Pont Vieux in Lapeyre.
  • Arrival : Pont Vieux in Lapeyre.
  • Towns crossed : Versols-et-Lapeyre, Saint-Affrique, and Gissac

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.fr0565585600

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

Travel by bus or train: https://lio.laregion.fr/

Carpooling : BlaBlaCar, Rézo Pouce, Mobicoop, Idvroom, LaRoueVerte, Roulez malin

Access and parking

Lapeyre is situated 7 km from Saint-Affrique on the D7 road towards Cornus.

Parking :

Car park is set below the road at the village entrance (when driving from Saint-Affrique)

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