Roc de Campiels

Roc de Campiels is a small rocky summit standing at 1,354 metres above sea level, rising over the high Aubrac plateau in the commune of Prades-d'Aubrac, in France's Aveyron department. The site is known for its wide views across the open Aubrac grasslands and for a history that reaches back to the medieval pilgrimage routes to Santiago de Compostela.

What is Roc de Campiels?

The outcrop is a rocky promontory jutting above the rolling, volcanic-origin plateau. In earlier centuries the spot had a darker reputation: its position and visibility over the surrounding land made it a favoured ambush point for attacks on pilgrims walking the Way of St James (the Via Podiensis, today's GR65 trail). That episode of local history is still recalled in trail descriptions today. Roc de Campiels is now a quiet viewpoint, popular with hikers and mountain bikers for its sweeping panorama over the plateau and its scattered lakes.

How do you get to Roc de Campiels?

The most common starting points are Prades-d'Aubrac itself and the nearby Brameloup ski station, both linked to Roc de Campiels by waymarked paths through forest and open pastureland. A longer option is the roughly 26-km loop from Nasbinals — a village on the Via Podiensis pilgrim route — which passes close to the summit. Shorter loops of around 13 km start from the village of Aubrac, crossing the high plateau past Roc de Campiels, continuing through the protected peatland nature reserve of Aubrac, and returning along the shores of Lac des Moines. A full loop of this kind typically takes 3.5 to 4 hours.

What will you see along the way?

The route strings together several landscapes typical of the Aubrac: open, treeless pastures dotted with granite boulders, patches of beech and spruce forest near Brameloup, and protected peat bogs managed as a biological reserve, home to rare wetland flora and fauna found at this altitude. The path also passes Lac des Moines, one of the plateau's small lakes and a favoured spot for a longer break. From the top of Roc de Campiels itself, the view opens onto the undulating hills of the Aubrac, shaped by its volcanic origins.

When is the best time to visit?

In summer and early autumn, the trails are fully open to walkers and cyclists, and the open plateau terrain makes for long, technically easy hikes. Winter brings a different character: snowshoe routes run from the Brameloup station through snow-covered forest up to Roc de Campiels, making it a worthwhile destination outside the summer season too. Weather on the exposed plateau can change quickly, and wind on the open sections can be noticeable even in summer.

Frequently asked questions

How high is Roc de Campiels? The summit sits at 1,354 metres above sea level.

Where's the best place to start a hike to Roc de Campiels? Prades-d'Aubrac, the Brameloup station and Nasbinals are the three main starting points, each offering a different length of route, from a short walk to a full-day loop.

Is the trail suitable for families with children? Yes, most routes cross gentle, open plateau terrain with no technical difficulty, though the longer loops (over 20 km) call for reasonable fitness.

Can Roc de Campiels be visited in winter? Yes, snowshoe trails run in winter from the Brameloup station through the forest up to the summit.