An ideal environment to discover nature, culture and patrimony.
Mas de Comte and the village of Larnagol are situated in Parc naturel régional des Causses du Quercy. The landscape of the regional park is a typical one for the Lot department: the gentle relief of the ‘Causses’, the limestone plateaus of Rocamadour, Saint-Chels and Limogne-en-Quercy which are intersected by the valleys of the rivers Lot and the Célé, and the steep valleys of the Ouysse and Alzou.
Trees which incline above the roads, and as such create shady tunnels. The lead you through the fertile river valleys, expansive meadows full of sheep, over hills and through winding valleys created as a result of erosion throughout thousands and thousands of years. Regularly you’ll meet deer and other wildlife.
Very characteristic for this region are the stones that you encounter everywhere. The old stone walls of the Causses, give one the impression of a small Chinese wall. Lakes are eroded in the rocks (lakes of Saint-Namphaise), everywhere you’ll find the stone shepherds’ huts and hamlets with old washing places, Cistercien barns and historic farms (as Mas de Comte once was).
As well to be marked is the particular way the water finds its way through the regional park of the ‘Causses du Quercy’. The water disappears into the cracks of the limestone, creating caves and chasms, the reason a stream suddenly disappears from sight. The landscape is exceptionally well protected, and hosts a such entire ecosystems.
The park houses many special places such as the medieval town of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, the pilgrimage site of Rocamadour and the prehistoric caves of Padirac.
The pure and unspoiled environment provides an almost unlimited amount of short walks, long walks or even multi-day walks. The “Office de Tourisme” of the department has a description of approximately 100 of them. Short ones to long ones , one day walks to multi-day walks, from easy to do until the ones for the experienced hiker. There are also many local associations who have marked their own walks. Quite often a description is available at the town hall.
The Lot department is also crossed by about 700 km. long distance walks, of which the Pilgrims Route to Santiago de Compostela is undoubtedly the most famous. For those who would like to spend a half day, a full day or perhaps several days accompanied by a donkey: it is all possible. The donkey carries you luggage, food for a picnic and will give you lots of attention from the locals during your trip.
Look at one of these sites to find your hiking trail: