The Loubière plateau via Clipis
Description
Along wooded trails, reach the Loubière plateau which is a majestic natural border between the Sorgues valley and the Rougier de Camarès and which offers some stunning views over these two landscapes. On the northeast side, the village of Lapeyre and the town of Saint-Affrique linked by the blue line of the Sorgues river.From the carpark of Lapeyre to the Croix del Pas: from the carpark head towards the village and before the bridge take left the path that runs along the river up to the old bridge. Right after the bridge, take the Bourgatte path for approximately 1km. At the junction with the logging trail turn to the left, walk above the Clipis farm and take right an ascending track towards the Croix del Pas.From the Croix del Pas to the Serre des Cabros: at the pass take the most left track, walk through a wooded area and then along a field. At the junction with the logging trail, take right for a few dozen metres a narrow footpath that leads to a scenic view over the Rougier and the castle of Montaigut. Walk back to the trail up to a signpost indicating Lapeyre.From the Serre des Cabros to Lapeyre: take the path that runs downhill through boxtrees up to the Puech Mets road. Turn to the right and follow the road until the junction with the D92. Take opposite a path that goes downhill and passes nearby a building. Reach the old track connecting Lapeyre to Sylvanès that runs along the Fon Rouge brook. Once at the D92, take opposite a path that goes downhill across woodlands allowing you to get back to the road near Lapeyre.
Technical informations
9 km
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max. 764 m
min. 350 m
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Altimetric profile
Starting point
Steps
Croix del Pas
Grande croix métallique à la croisée des chemins permettant d'avoir une vue sur les deux versants du plateau de la Loubière, côté Sorgues et côté Rougiers.
Vue sur la vallée de la Sorgues
Ce sentier sur le flanc sud d'un vallon de la Loubière vous fera découvrir un joli point de vue sur la vallée de la Sorgues et l'Avant-Causses
Orchidée sauvage
L’Aveyron avec ses paysages divers et contrastés vous charmera. Lors de votre randonée sur les Causses, ces grands plateaux calcaires qui occupent environ un tiers de la superficie de notre département, vous découvrirez une flore d’une grande richesse…Parcourez les pelouses sèches caractéristiques de ces paysages, elles abritent de nombreuses espèces d’orchidées aux formes, couleurs, parfums divers : l’épipactis rouge, la plantathera à deux feuilles, l’orchis homme pendu, l’orchis pourpre, l’ophrys insectifera…
Église de Saint-Caprais
Au cimetière, l'église de Saint-Caprais se dresse face à la porte d'entrée. Elle fut donnée en 1058 à l'Abbaye Saint-Victor de Marseille. Elle était le centre d'une très ancienne paroisse qui englobait les châteaux de Lapeyre, Montalègre et Versols. Les Bénédictins de Marseille installèrent en ce lieux un monastère qui fut de courte durée.Au XVIIIè siècle, la charte de Cassini n'indique qu'un prieuré ruiné.C'est en 1880 que furent déblayés les décombres de l'église romane dont le plan apparut dès lors sur le sol.Le tympan sculpté enferme plusieurs détails instructifs. La voussure supérieure ornée de feuilles d'acanthe enfermées dans une tresse à 3 brins, présente à son sommet un motif en fond de corbeille.La pierre de grés rose employée à Lapeyre est identique à celle de Conques. Le motif gaufré et les feuilles d'acanthe se retrouvent également à Conques sur un des châpiteau ce qui permet la datation du tympan : 3ème quart du XIè siècle.Du cimetière on apperçoit dans le village de Lapeyre les vestiges d'une ancienne église. L'église Saint Sauveur était bâtie sur le rocher fortifié qui a donné son nom à Lapeyre. On apperçoit les 2 arcades.Source : Documents sur quelques églises du Rouergue, André SOUTOU
Points of interest
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.
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.
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…
Saint-Caprais church
Saint-Caprais church stands opposite the entrance to the graveyard. In 1058 it was given to the Saint-Victor Abbey in Marseille. During the middle ages, the church was the centre of a very old parish which included the Lapeyre, Montalègre and Versols castles. In a short period of time a monastery was set up here by the Marseille Benedictine monks, but the 18th century Cassini map only mentions a ruined priory. The rubble of the Romanesque church was cleared away in 1880 revealing its former outline in the ground. The carved tympanum contains several informative details. The upper arch moulding which is ornamented with acanthus leaves intertwined with a 3 braided strand, displays a pattern called “fond de corbeille” (basket weave) on its top. The rose-colored sandstone used in Lapeyre is identical to the type used in Conques. The embossed pattern and the acanthus leaves can also be seen in Conques on one of the capitals, which dates the tympanum during the 3rd quarter of the 11th century. From the graveyard, two arches, the remains of the ancient Saint Sauveur church, can be seen in the village. This church was built on the fortified rock from which the village of Lapeyre was given its name.
Additional information
Public transport
Travel by bus or train: lio.laregion.fr/carpooling : BlaBlaCar, Rézo Pouce, Mobicoop, Idvroom, LaRoueVerte, Roulez malin
Advice
Box tree months 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
Advised parking
Cimetary carpark
Access
From Saint-Affrique, follow the D7 towards Cornus. Once in Lapeyre, which is the first village you drive through, turn right towards Gissac and park your vehicle next to the graveyard.
Arrival
Lapeyre
Ambiance
On the northeast side, the village of Lapeyre and the town of Saint-Affrique linked by the blue line of the Sorgues river. On the southwest side, the small valleys and red soils of the Camarès area, the proud-looking castle of Montaigut standing on its hilltop. The Loubière plateau with its vast stretches of fields and undergrowth gives you the assurance of enjoying wonderful panoramic views wherever you look!
Departure
Lapeyre
Data author
