The Upper Dourbie Valley
Endurance required… and extra caution is advised! This grand loop on both sides of the Dourbie river features challenging but oh-so-splendid sections in the heart of wild gorges and on the edge of the Cévennes mountains. You can enhance your hike with a swim in the river at the hamlet of Tayrac or at the Viala lake.
Description
- From the parking area, head to the roundabout and follow the road towards Trèves until you reach the hairpin bend called "Le Périgoul".
- Ignore the road to La Rougerie on your right and take the path on the left. At the junction with the path leading to Notre-Dame de la Sentinelle, turn right to reach the D341.
- Follow it to the right for approximately 200 meters and at the hairpin bend, take the path through the chestnut trees. Leave this path to the right 500 meters further on to reach the lime kiln known as "L'Homme Mort" (The Dead Man) and continue until you reach the road. Admire the beautiful panorama over the upper Dourbie valley.
- Cross the road 60 meters further down and follow the path towards La Brunelerie for 900 meters. In the hamlet, walk between the houses to reach the path that leads to Le Coulet and passes above the highest house. Continue along this path for approximately 900 meters before crossing the path leading to Le Coulet. Follow this path to the right. Cross the hamlet and continue on the trail leading to "Mas Aubert," a former mining area of which little trace remains. Continue along this trail, which joins a wide logging track 150 meters further on.
- Take this track to the left. After about 1 kilometer, a large rock is located on the right. Go around it or climb it to enjoy a splendid view of LeTayrac and the Dourbie river (caution is advised when accessing this viewpoint, as the rock can be slippery). Continue along the track for approximately 1.2 kilometers.
- Follow a path to the left through the undergrowth and then across some rocks to reach the footbridge of Le Tayrac (proceed carefully over the last few meters before the footbridge). Cross the bridge and head up towards the hamlet of Le Tayrac, then go through it and continue to the D114 road. Turn right onto the D114 and follow it for approximately 500 meters to the Tayrac cross.
- Facing this cross, on the inside of the bend, take the "St-Guiral" direction along a very wide logging track. After 800 meters, turn right onto a pleasantly wooded track, roughly parallel to the D114. After about 1.5 km, continue downhill on the track to rejoin the D114.
- At the road, follow it to the left for 70 meters and then take the path on the right through the woods that leads to Le Viala. From Le Viala, take the D114 towards St-Jean du Bruel.
- Turn right to cross the hamlet of Le Bruel and reach the village of St-Jean du Bruel.
- Departure : St-Jean du Bruel
- Towns crossed : Saint-Jean-du-Bruel
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
Information desks
Tourist Office Larzac et Vallées
Place du Claux, 12230 NANT
Located on the ground floor of the Town Hall (mansion of the 18th century), The Tourist Office welcomes you all year and offers tourist information on the Larzac and its valleys, the department of Aveyron, and also on neighboring counties. Free Wifi access.
Opening hours :
From Novembre to February: Tuesday morning 9:00-12:30
March and October : Tuesday to Friday 9:00-12:30
April : Tuesday to Friday 10:00-12:30 and 14:00-17:30
May, June : Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-12:30 and 14:00-17:30
July and August : every day 10:00-12:30 and 14:30-18:00
September : Tuesday to Saturday 10:00-12:30 and 14:00-17:30
Transport
To travel by bus or train, by carpooling Aires de covoiturage and hitchhiking Rezopouce.
Access and parking
40km southeast of Millau via the D809 and D999 (Larzac plateau) or via the D991 and D999 (Dourbie gorges).
Parking :
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