The volcano of the Causses
Saint-Jean-d'Alcapiès

The volcano of the Causses

Agropastoralism
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In the heart of the frontal Causses, a looped hiking trail makes its way on the foothills of the volcanic crater near which the village of Alcapiès was built. This trail which is rich in fossil deposits is a paradise for aspiring geologists.

Hike to the rim of a volcano with complete peace of mind! The more conspicuous remains of a volcanic eruption that occurred 2.5 million years ago can be seen here in Alcapiès, a hamlet set on top of a hill and overlooking Saint-Jean. A stroll near the rim, between puech de Pradeilles and puech de Loubio to picture lava flowing down through valleys…

Description

  1. When leaving the Alcapia car park, take the road to your right for 100m. Take the first right onto a small ascending road, then cross the green way and carry on along the path opposite up to the Castel Crémat (d'Alzac).
  2. Take the tarmac track to your right and walk approximately 700m until you see a large stone on your left which is used as a bench. Take the left fork just before the bench and follow an ascending path into the woodland.
  3. Once you get to the Mas de la Moulinerie, you can enjoy the beautiful view to the north-east over the Combalou rock, the Taulan plateau, the Aiguières pass, the Saint-Paul amphitheatre and the volcano, set in the foreground of the hamlet of Alcapiès. Take the left road that goes through the Mas de la Moulinerie and carry on along a shady path that reaches a wide stony track. Turn right and head towards the Mas d'Alzac which is a Caussenard style house.
  4. In the hamlet turn left on a stony path, head along for 400m, then fork to the right on a track. This track reaches a trail that leads to the railway line through woodland. Walk across the metal bridge which spans the railway and then cross the stream and walk to your right uphill to the D293 road.
  5. Follow the road to your right for 700m which takes you towards St-Jean-d'Alcapiès. Just before the Mas des Baumes, take an ascending path called “chemin des cantines" (the way to canteens).
  6. In the hamlet of Alcapiès, built on the volcano foothills, look out for the Saint Marie fountain. Walk down the road to your right until you reach the church, then walk round the town hall to the right and past the war memorial.     
  • Departure : Alcapia in Saint-Jean d’Alcapiès
  • Arrival : Alcapia in Saint-Jean d’Alcapiès
  • Towns crossed : Saint-Jean-d'Alcapiès, Saint-Affrique, and Roquefort-sur-Soulzon

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

From Saint-Affrique, take the D999 road towards Millau. After 6 km, turn to the right onto the D293 towards Saint-Jean-d'Alcapiès

Parking :

The car park of Alcapia is situated at the entrance of the village on the right.

Source

Communauté de communes du St-Affricainhttp://www.roquefort-tourisme.fr/

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