Circular route between Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val and Sainte-Sabine

Depart from the car park at the end of the bridge over the Aveyron, opposite the village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val

(S/E) Take the D19 road that leaves to the left of the tunnel, towards Gaillac and Roc d'Anglars. Follow this road until the junction for Domaine de Sourbil.

(1) Leave this road to the left and immediately take the path that leaves the departmental road on the right. You will quickly forget the tarmac as you walk along this path at the foot of the Roc d'Anglars cliffs. The vegetation is so dense that you can barely see the high cliff, and the voices you can hear in this very isolated place are undoubtedly those of the conquerors who are attempting to scale this impressive wall.
The path climbs steadily through mossy vegetation until it reaches the paragliding launch area at Talon de Saladaise. Don't hesitate to turn left to admire the view of Saint-Antonin and the cliffs you have just walked beneath.

(2) Return to the road you came from, climb up to the right and continue until you reach the D19, which you followed at the start of the climb. Follow this road for about 400 metres.

(3) Leave the main road and turn left towards Sainte-Sabine. Follow the small road that crosses the causse until you reach the chapel just before the village.

(4) Follow the path on the left that goes around the first houses. These are built on the ledge overlooking the Aveyron valley, although the woods that now cover the slopes leave little view of the valley.
Continue around the village, following the low stone walls that border the properties.
When you return to the village road, turn left to reach the area where the houses are most densely concentrated. Pass an old farm shed on your right and turn left onto the road that leads into the heart of the village.

(5) The houses you will see are each more remarkable than the last, and the last one is not the least, behind its tall, ornate gate. Walk through the village until you reach the path that descends towards the Aveyron. Turn right.
This beautiful path, lined with low stone walls, winds its way down the wooded slope before making a sharp left turn. Further on, it leads to the old Sainte-Sabine wash house, whose spring is still active.

(6) After the wash house, the woods thin out as you reach the first house and farm. Continue down the path until you reach the alluvial plain. When you reach the road that climbs back up towards Saint-Michel-de-Vax, turn left to cross the D115, opposite the Teussac nursery.

(7) Turn left and follow the farm track that runs alongside the departmental road. It sometimes veers off slightly to serve the farms that occupy the fertile plain (Gorse, Borde Basse, etc.).

(8) As the foot of the causse reaches the river, the track winds its way between the wooded bank and the departmental road. Continue along this track for about a kilometre before the valley widens again as you approach Marsac.

(9) As you approach the hamlet, you pass one of the few access points to the river, which is less steep-sided here and has an accessible, public bank. Two slipways offer the chance to take a dip, provided the water temperature doesn't put you off.
Otherwise, continue along the small road, which soon passes two campsites before the valley closes in again.

(10) After a final dam on the Aveyron, you will see the first houses of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val clustered on the opposite bank, directly above the river. The bridge at the start of the walk closes the panorama and ends the walk (S/E).

Stock up on food in Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, because after that there is nothing else, unless you ask the residents of Sainte-Sabine

Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val is a pleasant and friendly village. At the end of your walk, don't hesitate to cross the bridge and stroll through its narrow streets. You'll eventually come to Place de la Halle, a lively spot in the heart of the town.