Viaduct Loop

A short, peaceful route through the beautiful landscape of the Dordogne. You will follow a river, pass under a viaduct and cross a forest full of wildlife – a real change of scenery.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.75 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 63 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 71 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 183 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 113 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park at the foot of the 13th-century church in Larzac.

(DA/A) The walk begins in the alley to the left of the iron cross, next to the post boxes. At the end of this street, take the dirt track down to the right.

(1) The house you can see below is an old mill that still has its water reservoir, "Moulin de l'hôte".
Follow the country road through the woods, passing a place called La Mouline on your left. There used to be a mill here too. You will then come to a fish farm, near which there was also a mill.
The route continues to the SNCF viaduct.

(2) Take thesecond path on the right. Just before this, the path on the left leads to afourth mill, "Le Moulin de Gaston" (private property). In short, we spend a moment in the shade of a wood of hornbeams, trees with smooth bark and leaves with very prominent veins. On the sometimes muddy path, you can see the tracks of deer, wild boar and roe deer.
When you reach a meadow, take a path on the right that climbs slightly and leads to a tarmac road.

(3) Turn right and walk for 500 metres until you reach a path on the left.

(4) Follow this path until you reach a crossroads.

(5). Turn right. Please note that you are near a riding centre, so keep your dogs on a leash! You will then pass through an open area. Pass through the woods and admire the manor house on your left (Lascaminade, 17th century, not open to visitors). A little further on, you will also find the "Le Bos Rouge" riding centre.

(6) When you reach a tarmac road, turn right, then take the path on the left. Continue along the small path to the viaduct (which was the largest in France when it was built). Under the archway, you will see an antique threshing machine. The route ends at a farm.

(7) After the house, turn right and you will arrive at the fork leading to the village hall and Larzac town hall.

(8) Turn right to pass in front of the village hall and return to your starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 140 m - Car park at the foot of the church in Larzac
  2. 1 : km 0.12 - alt. 131 m - Dirt track lower down on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.15 - alt. 126 m - SNCF viaduct
  4. 3 : km 3.34 - alt. 183 m - Tarmac road
  5. 4 : km 3.91 - alt. 175 m - Path
  6. 5 : km 4.47 - alt. 155 m - Crossroads
  7. 6 : km 5.65 - alt. 143 m - Arrival at a tarmac road
  8. 7 : km 7.32 - alt. 117 m - Fork in the road after a house
  9. 8 : km 7.46 - alt. 116 m - Larzac Town Hall
  10. S/E : km 7.75 - alt. 140 m - Car park at the foot of the church in Larzac

Notes

This route can be done on horseback or by mountain bike, with a slightly more difficult section above La Mouline.

Les Nauves campsite and Le Bos Rouge equestrian centre nearby.

Worth a visit

The Nauze, which we follow from the start and which flows into the Dordogne at Siorac, had up to 33 mills along its 17 km course. They were the main source of power until the end of the 19th century. In addition to grinding wheat into flour, they could power a sawmill, produce walnut oil or electricity, and run a spinning mill, paper mill or dye works.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 26 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
User 6674345

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We really enjoyed this easy route, which presented no particular difficulties, especially at this time of year when the autumn colours are magnificent in fine weather. What's more, unlike in summer, we weren't bothered by any pesky insects. A little extra tip: in autumn, take a bag with you to collect the chestnuts you find on the ground along the route. Finally, the trail is in very good condition and seems to be used only by walkers.

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Cat13!
Cat13!

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A nice little walk, but I can confirm the rather intrusive presence of very endearing midges along the entire route. However, there were no insect bites to complain about. All you need to do is wave a small handkerchief to chase these ladies away, but rest assured, they only stay away for a few seconds!

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Sophie Brice
Sophie Brice
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A fairly comprehensive and easy route. No particular difficulties. However, the details of this hike indicate that you may encounter wild animals.
We didn't see any animals.
Instead, they should have warned us about the phenomenal number of small flies that plagued us for about 5 km, making it impossible to stop for a bite to eat. So I would say: bring a mosquito net for your head!!! Because you're going to be invaded!!!! We were there in August and it was hot (for the record).

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Dimitri44
Dimitri44

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A very interesting route through wooded areas.
Set off at 10am to enjoy most of the route in the shade.
As mentioned in some reviews, follow the markings to make the route easier.
Total time: 2 hours of hiking with a few stops to take photos of the viaduct.
However, the midges that swarmed around us for about 4 kilometres or more were hellish.
We knew there was this drawback on this loop, but we didn't think we would be bothered so much by these insects.
We fanned ourselves around our heads for three-quarters of the route to keep the swarm of insects away.
This route is not recommended due to this problem.

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st cirice 46
st cirice 46

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

This hike has the advantage of being shaded in summer. We did it in the morning between 10am and 12pm. As mentioned in previous comments, we were accompanied by flies.
Your description does not mention that there are markings. It would be useful to add this information. I did not read the comments before setting off and checked at every intersection. However, if you follow the yellow markings, it is really very simple.
Thank you for sharing.

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m@rk79
m@rk79

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike surrounded by nature.
The signposting is so well done and visible that you can forget about the map and GPS.
This walk is very easy. Because of the heat, we set off around 10 a.m., which meant we could walk in the shade 95% of the time and complete the walk in two short hours without rushing. The scenery is beautiful and the paths through the woods are magical.
So yes, we were escorted by a swarm of small, buzzing, annoying but harmless flies. A little insect repellent and they stay around you without biting you.
A very pleasant walk.

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dlws
dlws

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The walk through the forest is a bit monotonous towards the end. Otherwise, it's a nice little fitness walk.
It leaves you time to visit the beautiful village of Belvès.

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cbaille
cbaille

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The walk was lovely, but we didn't enjoy it very much because we were plagued by flies and horseflies for most of the way...

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Pinoghri
Pinoghri

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The passage through the SNCF viaduct (number two) is not clear in the description. You should not immediately turn right to pass underneath, but turn left to walk along the viaduct and find the marker indicating the arch to cross about twenty metres further on. We did not understand this and got lost before turning back.
Other than that, the hike is pleasant, shaded and not too steep, perfect for a group including beginners. The paths show signs of quad bikes and motocross bikes, but we didn't meet anyone.

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balou17
balou17

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk in the forest. In wet weather, walking shoes are essential. Mud, puddles and very slippery ground.

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maviso
maviso

We also did this hike in summer and didn't see anyone

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liban24
liban24

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

To be done in the height of summer, not after lockdown. We didn't meet anyone

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bobguil
bobguil

To add to my comment, the problem is that either the paths are hiking trails listed on a hiking website, or they are motocross tracks, judging by the condition of the path. In conclusion, either the local authorities leave the path open to everyone and we can guess who will take ownership of it, or regulations are put in place so that the path is a hiking trail and can be listed and referenced as such. I think it's dangerous to send a family out for a walk and have them encounter a horde of reckless motorcyclists who think they have every right to be there because they're not on the road.

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FLOCH
FLOCH ★

Is the comment "disappointing" in the description due to problems encountered with motorcyclists or significant hesitations on the ground?

The previous reviews are quite different.

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bobguil
bobguil

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

We completed the Viaducts loop, very disappointed we were hiking with our dog and found ourselves in the middle of a horde of motorcyclists (motocross) at a place called "La Mouline" in the commune of Larzac. We signalled to them to slow down because the path was narrow and our dog was off the leash, but they responded by giving us the finger. What a wonderful welcome to the Dordogne! After an unpleasant experience at a bakery and restaurant, we won't be returning to the Dordogne any time soon. Fortunately, we continued our trip to the Lot, where people are much more welcoming.

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