Across woodlands and causses, walk in the footsteps of the knights Hospitaller who over the course of their presence in southern Rouergue from the 12th to 16th centuries have left their mark on the landscape.In the village walk along the main street for 50m towards Cornus up to the point where the street begins to slope down. Take the path on your left that goes up the right side of the vale with a stream running through it. Carry along this path that gradually rises up to the plateau leading to a cross from which a beautiful view over the valley can be enjoyed. Keep on walking along the trail for 300 m up to the junction.At the intersection, take the trail to your right and 500 m further on turn left onto a sunken path up to Mascourbe. When you reach the road, walk to your right until you reach the Borie farm.A bit further on from the farm, leave the road taking the path that slopes up towards the plateau. Follow this path which turns into a forest road and leads to the Lacalm forester's house.Just before the forester's house take the path on your left that leads down to the valley.When you reach a small platform, turn to your right and make a detour to Notre Dame du Cayla chapel. From the chapel, walk back to the junction and carry on along a steep downhill track until you reach the D7 road which you follow until you reach Saint-Felix de Sorgues.
13 km
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max. 744 m
min. 403 m
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La Commanderie des chevaliers de Saint-Jean de Jérusalem de Saint-Felix-de-Sorgues a été construite vers 1150. Elle a été détruite ainsi que ses archives pendant les guerre de religions au XVIè et XVII è siècles. Aussi connaissons nous assez mal cette commanderie qui possédait d'importants domaines jusque dans la région de Béziers. C'est au sud de l'église rebâtie au XIXè siècle que se trouvait la commanderie. Il n'en reste que les traces de 2 tours et une courtine visible sur le front sud de l'enceinte fortifiée en 1438. Au 1er plan la muraille de la commanderie ruinée en 1562 et à nouveau en 1620. Dans le prolongement de celle-ci, la porte Saint-Jean constitue la seule porte conservée.
La ferme ou domaine de Mascourbe appartenait à la commanderie des Hospitaliers de Saint-Jean de Jérusalem de Saint-Félix de Sorgues. Mentionnée dès 1373, ses bâtiments furent reconstruits vers 1583 à quelque distance du lieu primitif. Logis et bâtiments primitifs d'exploitation bien conservés sont organisés autour d'une vaste cour rectangulaire.
The village was a Commandery ruled by the Hospitaller Order of St John of Jerusalem. It is built midway up the slope and the remains of the battlements are still visible today: along with a gateway, a tower with gothic openings, and ancient houses…North of the village is a walking route called “le circuit des Hospitaliers” which is marked with yellow P.R. signs, and allows bikers on peak form to extend their ride: this 12 km-long walking route is rather strenuous but provides lot of fun and some nice panoramic viewpoints.
La ferme ou domaine de Mascourbe appartenait à la commanderie des Hospitaliers de Saint-Jean de Jérusalem de Saint-Félix de Sorgues. Mentionnée dès 1373, ses bâtiments furent reconstruits vers 1583 à quelque distance du lieu primitif. Logis et bâtiments primitifs d'exploitation bien conservés sont organisés autour d'une vaste cour rectangulaire.
Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues
Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues
Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues welcomes you to enjoy a hike through an area mostly covered by forests. Follow the path of these medieval soldier monks and explore a rich heritage: old washing place and gothic bridge in the village, forester's house and Borie farm. Before the return to the banks of the river Sorgues, take right a fork that leads to the chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Cayla which is erected on a rocky spur.
In Saint-Affrique take the D7 towards Cornus / Vallée de la Sorgues for 15 km. Saint-Félix-de-Sorgues is the 3rd village along the road through the valley.
On the church square
Travel by bus or train: lio.laregion.fr/carpooling : BlaBlaCar, Rézo Pouce, Mobicoop, Idvroom, LaRoueVerte, Roulez malin
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