Top 10 granite curiosities Rocks not to miss

The most famous listed rock in the Sidobre, weighing almost 800 tonnes and balanced on a one-square-metre base.
Just next to it, you will also see the enchanted oak at Pic des Fourches.
Five minutes above, you can discover an orientation table with a 360° viewpoint.
It is visible from the car park and on:

•  the small Peyro Clabado trail, a 20-minute walk around the former peiraires, old worksites, quarrymen’s crosses, sphinx and more. (hiking sheet and GPX tracks to download)

Another historic and listed rock in an area that was for a long time a refuge for religious or political outcasts. You can see it on: 

• the Sentier des Merveilles, starting from Crémaussel, with 3 possible durations: 20 min, 45 min or 1h30.
• the Rocs de Crémaussel trail, starting from the Beyriès picnic area (3h)

On these trails you will also come across the billiard table, the elephant, the devil’s armchair, the wall of death, the shifted rocks, the Three Cheeses and more. (hiking sheets and GPX tracks to download)

A gigantic river of rocks located in the forest below Saint-Salvy de la Balme. 

You can see it on:

• the Sentier des Légendes (40 min or 1h45)
•  the Chaos de la Balme trail (2h15).

You will also see the Chapeau de Napoléon, the wolf’s cave, the hamburger and more on these trails. (hiking sheets and GPX tracks to download)

A huge old rocking rock that fell at the beginning of the 20th century, with a superb view over the
valley. It is visible on:

• the Shepherds’ trail (1h)
• the Luthier (3h15)

You will also see the large Peyre Haute rock, the shepherd’s hut, and more. Do not miss the giant game of Goose near the Museum of Protestantism at the start. (hiking sheets and GPX tracks to download).

One of the longest rivers of rocks near Lafontasse. In the chaos downstream
lies the Saint-Dominique cave. Please note: access to the cave is difficult. Access via:

• the Chaos de la Rouquette trail (20 min or 1h45)

On the small access road 1 km away, do not miss the Roc de Baptistou (10 min). (hiking sheets and GPX tracks to download).

A haven of peace, in the morning mist or the pink of sunset, this lake is adorned with a multitude of water lilies in season. A paradise for birds and aquatic wildlife, it is a source of mystery and melancholy… Direct access from the lake car park or via the trail starting from Vialavert (1h30). As it is on private property, swimming and fishing are prohibited.

A 25-metre-high waterfall named after the rock at its base, which resembles a trout. It is reached by a marked but very steep trail:

• Saut de la Truite trail (30 minutes). (hiking sheet and GPX tracks to download)

A refuge forest, listed as an “Sensitive Natural Area and Forest Biological Reserve”, with a rich historical past on the edge of the Sidobre, combining wildlife and flora discovery with peaceful walks. Two marked trails allow you to enter without getting lost.

• The Montagnol discovery trail (45 min)
• The Montagnol forest hike (3h)

Do not miss a stop at the Jasse de Lydie, the largest and best-preserved jasse in the Haut-Languedoc. (hiking sheets and GPX tracks to download)

After a lovely climb through the undergrowth, you will reach the viewpoint over the largest granite cliff in the Sidobre. An interactive table explains how this site was formed. Access via:

• the Labans trail (45 min) (hiking sheets and GPX tracks to download)

A historic site for the origins of the Sidobre’s formation, granite work, and part of the Occitanie statue-menhir route. You will discover the origin of the Sidobre massif landscapes and the secrets of granite formation. You will see 16 reproductions of the main statue-menhirs of the Haut-Languedoc.

• Sentier des Immortels (20 min) 

Do not miss a stop at the Maison du Sidobre either, to learn more about granite work through the centuries.