Couspeau mountain: the Grand Delmas
A circular walk on Couspeau mountain, with the summit of the Grand Delmas offering views over the surrounding mountains, particularly the 3 Becs.
Description
(S) Set out from the car park at the Col du Gourdon pass on the D156, below the Col de la Chaudière towards Bourdeaux.
Take the footpath due south towards Tonils, which descends parallel to the main road below it and then joins up with the road again at a hairpin bend (1).
Cross the road and go through a small gate in the fence. A sign indicates Tonils.
Follow the path until you reach a track coming up from the farm just below (2).
Ignore the marked path on the right that goes to Tonils and take the left-hand path.
Follow the relatively flat path across the mountainside which continues alongside a fence, and then at a hairpin bend you will join a track coming up from Tonils (3).
Keep following the winding track up the mountain side which leads to the pastures until you reach a shepherd’s hut (4).
Then follow the ridge northwest to the summit of the Grand Delmas (5)
To make your way back down, keeping following the ridge and then take the path down to right (6).
The steep path leads into the forest, makes a few bends, crosses a few small clearings, and then joins the main road again (7) near the Fontaine de la Sourde fountain.
Follow the road back downhill to the Col du Gourdon pass
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 956 m
- 1 : km 1.32 - alt. 858 m - D156
- 2 : km 1.8 - alt. 833 m - Path up from Laurias farm
- 3 : km 3.19 - alt. 847 m - Track from Tonils
- 4 : km 7.1 - alt. 1,418 m - Shepherd's hut
- 5 : km 8.81 - alt. 1,498 m - The summit of the Grand Delmas
- 6 : km 9.3 - alt. 1,405 m - Path down to the right
- 7 : km 10.74 - alt. 1,028 m - Fontaine de la Sourde
- S/E : km 11.76 - alt. 956 m
Useful Information
Walkers, please note!
This route takes you along private tracks. Please be respectful of the sites and their owners.
Dogs are not allowed.
There is no water point on this route.
Avoid this walk between June 1 and October 31.
Following recent wolf attacks (July, August, 2015), the dogs that guard the herds in the pastures have become more aggressive and react strongly to all stimuli from new or outside sources (people, dogs, wildlife, etc.)
By going on this walk, you are at risk of getting bitten even if you behave appropriately towards the dogs .
Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.
