From Le Rozier to La Viale via the Corniches de la Jonte

This is the stage with the most elevation gain, but it is superb! The passage along the ledge above the Gorges de la Jonte offers magnificent aerial views. It is also a great place to watch vultures in flight.

This walk is part of a multi-day hike: Tour du Causse Méjan

Details

83243
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.34 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: No
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 843 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 350 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 914 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 402 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The starting point is at the entrance to the village of Le Rozier, coming from Millau. Shortly after crossing the Tarn, at the foot of a staircase, you will find signs for "PR® Les corniches du Méjan" and "GR®6A".

Red and white markings

(S) Climb the stairs and continue on a path that passes close to a small road that winds upwards. Join this small road and follow it uphill, then quickly come out onto a path. This path climbs up the hillside in a general east-northeast direction. Pass directly below the Rocher de Capluc, a large rock equipped with ladders for climbing.

(1) Continue along the path and, at a fork, ignore the "Jacques Brunet" trail that branches off to the left (sign). Continue eastwards. The slope quickly becomes very steep and winding, in the forest. You will come to a perpendicular trail (GR®6 to the left, GRP® to the right).

Red and yellow markings

(2) Take the path on the right. This is where the route really begins to follow the ridge, with alternating false flats, descents and ascents. It is also on this section that you can see vultures, which are numerous here. Some exposed passages are equipped with barriers, so caution is advised.

(3) Pass close to the Vase de Sèvres and then the Vase de Chine, two distinctive monoliths overlooking high cliffs.
Caution! It is strongly advised not to attempt to reach the base of these monoliths as there is a drop of several hundred metres below...
Continue eastwards then north-eastwards. You will reach a crossroads, which marks the end of the cliff-top section.

(4) Take the path through the forest heading north-north-west towards Cassagnes. Ignore any forks in the path and stay on the main path (marked). You will rejoin the GR®6 after a wide right-hand bend.

Red and white markings

(5) Continue eastwards until you reach the hamlet of Cassagnes.

(6) Continue along the small road, which has a few bends.

(7) At a fork, leave the road and take a track that branches off to the right. The track descends, making a few hairpin bends.

(8) Leave the track for a path that branches off to the left (north), climbing quite steeply (be careful to spot the start of this path) and reach Les Arcs de St-Pierre.

(9) Pass under these natural arch-shaped formations. Continue north then turn right (east). Cross a small valley and ignore the path to the Grotte de la Baumelle. Continue eastwards through sparse woodland, coming out onto a pasture and reaching a road.

(10) Cross the road and take the small road opposite, which quickly leads to La Viale. At the crossroads, turn left and then immediately right: the stopover lodge is located at the bottom of this street (E).

Waypoints

  1. S : km 0 - alt. 402 m - Le Rozier - Village entrance
  2. 1 : km 0.78 - alt. 579 m - Aplomb du - Rocher de Capluc
  3. 2 : km 2.15 - alt. 726 m - GR6 and GRP junction - Gorges de la Jonte
  4. 3 : km 3.11 - alt. 722 m - Vase de Sèvres et Vase de Chine
  5. 4 : km 5.03 - alt. 809 m - End of the section above - Gorges de la Jonte
  6. 5 : km 6.02 - alt. 870 m - Junction with the GR6
  7. 6 : km 6.35 - alt. 870 m - Cassagnes
  8. 7 : km 7.51 - alt. 907 m - Fork in the road
  9. 8 : km 8.93 - alt. 820 m - Fork in the road towards Les Arcs de St-Pierre
  10. 9 : km 9.28 - alt. 866 m - Arcs de Saint-Pierre
  11. 10 : km 10.96 - alt. 907 m - Road and car park
  12. E : km 11.34 - alt. 893 m - La Viale

Notes

Le Rozier - A town that can be reached by coach from Millau. Hotels, restaurants, supplies.

Cassagnes - Refreshments available in summer.

La Viale (48150 Saint-Pierre des Tripiers)
Stopover lodge: Mrs Bon, +33 (0)4 66 48 82 39.
- Near the lodge, there is a shop selling local products run by a farmers' cooperative.

Hike completed by the author on 30 July 2013.

Worth a visit

Between (2) and (4), cornices of the Jonte. Vase de Chine and Vase de Sèvres (3): limestone monoliths standing at the edge of the void. Vultures may be spotted.

Arcs de Saint-Pierre (9): natural arch-shaped formations, under which the trail passes.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Bruno M73
Bruno M73

Hello everyone,
I downloaded these maps to do the Tour du Causse Méjan in early June.
I will provide feedback upon our return.
Thank you
Best regards
Bruno MELATO

Machine-translated

CCh08410.
CCh08410.
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike between the Tarn and Jonte gorges along the cliffs: magnificent views, a somewhat challenging route as you may need to use your hands at times, varied landscapes, very friendly fellow hikers, etc. etc. I recommend this route and even a few detours: Capluc for those who don't suffer from vertigo, the nearby caves and the village of St Pierre du Tripier, as the walking time indicated is relatively generous (even with lots of breaks for photographs).

Machine-translated

Naderuse
Naderuse

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This hike was part of our 4-day trek and was the most difficult part. Everything is relative, the walking times are given quite generously, which is prudent (it took us 5½ hours of actual walking) and allows you to take the time to admire the magnificent landscapes and vultures. One detail that is missing, in my opinion, is that after the Chinese vase, there is a passage where you need to use your hands to climb up a corridor made of rock blocks. Also, between 3 and 4, at one point, the trail descends to the right between two rocks (be careful to follow the markings).
I would not recommend this walk for children and, contrary to what we observed, good walking shoes are essential.

Machine-translated

Mariecath
Mariecath

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A magnificent hike! Allow a little time to admire the view and take photographs.

Machine-translated

Joëlle C1.
Joëlle C1.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful parish-specific to Brittany hike with magnificent scenery and the company of vultures.

Machine-translated

islandesaezienne
islandesaezienne

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike, thank you to those who shared it.

Machine-translated

chameziaux
chameziaux

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We did this hike as part of a tour of the Causse Méjean, going from Les Vignes, through Peyreleau, Courby, Meyrueis, L'Hom, Caussignac, and back to Les Vignes, from 13 to 18 May.
The first three days we had rain, snow and fog, obscuring the landscapes.
On the last two days, the sun came back out and we were able to enjoy the vast, almost desert-like landscape.
We had some wonderful encounters with sheep farmers who are fighting against various predators.

Machine-translated

pierre.chauzy
pierre.chauzy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A beautiful hike to do outside of the hottest periods of the year. For the bravest among you who aren't afraid of heights, you absolutely must make the round trip to the Cinglegros rock! Even if the last section of the return journey seems uninteresting after the magnificent panoramic views and other elevation changes, it allows you to recover and share the best moments of this hike as you return to your cars. Highly recommended.
Congratulations!

Machine-translated

Soline42
Soline42

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2015
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The end of the hike is not particularly interesting, but it is still a pleasant way to finish the route.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.