HIKE 7

Lou Roc Traucat (Hérault)

This jaunt is situated in the sout-east part of the Notre-Dame-de-Parlatge national forest. The way is under the shades of beautiful Austrian black pines. It is suitable for all peoples, even young children, who would be delighted to clim on the 'rock with a hole', the "Roc Traucat" (pronounce "tra-u-cat").

In short...

Length: 2,5 Km (1.6 mi)

Difference in height: 90 m (300 ft)

Time: 3/4 h

Map : IGN 2642 ET (1/25 000).

Difficulties: no.

Seasons: all the year.

Equipment: light hike.

Water: no.

Signs: no.

Advice: very well suited for children.

Profile

Access

The starting point is at the Col du Vent ('wind pass' - 703m/2306 ft), situated at the south extremity of Causse du Larzac, between La-Vacquerie-et-St-Martin-de-Castries and Montpeyroux, on the D9 road.

The pass is situated in the Hérault department, west of Montpellier (51 Km), north-west of Béziers (61 Km) and south-east of Millau (68 Km).

From Montpellier, take the N109 to Millau until St-André-de-Sangonis. Just in the entrance of St-André-de-Sangonis go right on the D4 until Lagamas then on the D9 to Montpeyrouxan beyond Arboras and the Col du Vent.

From Béziers take the N9 to Pézenas then Clermont-l'Hérault (motorway A75 under construction on this part). Continue as to go to Montpellier using the N109. Just at the exit of St-André-de-Sangonis go left on the D4 until Lagamas then on the D9 to Montpeyroux and beyond to Arboras and the Col du Vent.

From Millau go forward Béziers/Montpellier by the N9 road that become the A75 motorway. Leave the motorway at Le Caylar, cross the village and take the D9 until St-Pierre-de-la-Fage and beyond until La-Vacquerie-et-St-Martin-de-Castries. Then, continue to Arboras/Montpeyroux/Gignac until the Col du Vent.

Itinerary

(numbers refers to the map and the photographs)

(1) At the pass Le Col du Vent, park in front of the ruined little house. The start of the jaunt is at the south extremity of the car park. There, a forest lane goes north-east: it's our way back. Take the path that goes up between trees, southward.

(2) First, the path goes southward. After one kilometer it start to turn eastward and follows the plateau's edge. In some places, there is a nice view on the plain below and the Lodeve mountains. Then the path goes northward, clearly making a loop.

(3) After a short descent, we pass nearby big rocks standing between the trees and climb to the rock with a hole, the "Roc Traucat". The path goes then to east, then to north.

(4) While crossing a clearing, we can have a look at the very close mount St-Baudille (848 m/2782 ft) crowned by pylons and telecommunication buildings. A few later, we meet a forest lane that we take leftward.

(5) It meets another lane that we also take left to come bak to the car park.

Map

Portfolio

(clic on the thumbnails to enlarge them : a new screen will be displayed by your browser. Just close it to come back here)

(1) The black pines forest.

(2) View on the Lodève area.

(3) The rocks in the forest, and the 'rock with a hole', the "Roc Traucat".

(4) The mount St-Baudille.

(5) The forest lane.

Moreover...

There is a little rock-climbing site (level: adventurous) south-east from Col du Vent pass (indicated on the map).

The name of the forest "Parlatge" comes from the name of the little chapel Notre-dame de Parlatge, were dumb men were bring to long ago, in hope they regain speech ("parlatge" in Oc language).