Sabot De Malepeyre.Overlooking the void of the Vallon de l’Urugne, stands an astonishing 30-meter-high limestone rock, sculpted over time by erosion: the Sabot de Malepeyre. It’s a real geological curiosity. This rock, a listed natural site, takes the strange shape of a hoof, from which it takes its name.
This unmissable natural site is also a nesting ground for rock birds (peregrine falcons, great horned owls, red-billed choughs…).
Sabot de Malepeyre, 30m-high rock overlooking the Urugne valley above the Gorges du Tarn golf course at La Canourgue.
Sabot de Malepeyre - 30m limestone rock - 5km from La Canourgue, on the Causse de Sauveterre road. Panoramic view over the Urugne Valley
View of the Vallon de l'Urugne from the Sabot de Malepeyre.DID YOU KNOW?
When you’re under the arch of this rock, you’ll have a breathtaking view of the Vallon de l’Urugne, the entrance to La Canourgue and the foothills of Aubrac. The view at sunset is even more sumptuous!
To get to the Sabot de Malepeyre from La Canourgue, head for the Gorges du Tarn on the D998, and after 2 kilometers take the D46 to the right, towards La Malène. As you go up the hill, on the left of the road, it will be waiting for you… You can park alongside the road.
There arethree legends about the origin of this astonishing rock…
The Drac, a fabulous, flame-spitting animal, haunted the Malpas area and terrorized passers-by from the top of its Malepeyre. Bishop Frézal struck it down by sprinkling it with holy water. The petrified dragon ceased to spread terror! As you pass by the foot of the Sabot, take a good look! Some see it as a shoe, but this strange stone is none other than the dragon, frozen forever!
Gargantua, passing through La Canourgue, forgot his shoe, or rather his clog!
Margot was a young shepherdess on the Causse. On summer evenings, when the lavognes ran out of water, she would go down to the Urugne valley to water her herd. While the animals quenched their thirst, she would splash around naked in the clear waters of the river. Caught by a young canourguais, she took fright and fled. In her panic, she lost one of her hooves, which solidified on the spot. Covered over the years by layers of limestone, the hoof became a monumental sculpture.
The Sabot de Malepeyre, a legendary rock at La Canourgue.WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Which of these three legends could be the true story of the Sabot de Malepeyre?
Yes !
You can climb the Sabot de Malepeyre to get a closer look. Be careful, though, as there’s no safety barrier!
The hoof is located on the roadside, and there are a few places to park before and after the boulder.
Watch out for traffic.
