Le Breuil - Gibraltar to Chauvigny route

A pleasant little walk, mostly in the shade. But towards the end, the path is very open, so don’t forget a hat or cap in sunny weather!

Details

1141912
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.86 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 41 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 50 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 108 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 59 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Chauvigny (86300)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 46.570757° / E 0.634638°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1827SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Park in the railbike car park.
Head along the track in the opposite direction to the rail bike departure point.

(1) Cross the bridge over the Route du Breuil. Continue and join this road on the left after about 50m (the path running alongside the railway track ends here).
Caution: Cross the road. Pass the Artiges quarry on your left. Continue along the tarmac road.

(2) Take the second path on the left.
The path turns right and goes downhill. At the bottom, turn right. (The railway line is below.)

(3) Cross the bridge and walk through the village of Le Breuil, taking Rue des Petits Clos.
Take the first path on the right, opposite Rue Bel Air. When you reach a fork, continue left and head down into the woods.

(4) After a sharp bend, continue down the path on the left to reach the underground quarries.
You can continue to the Yellow Cross on a tree to reach the banks of the Vienne.

(5) Return along the same path to the large bend on the climb.

(4) Take the path on the left that leads into the woods (at the bend), along the Vienne, towards Chauvigny. The Vienne is below you; you will gradually descend until you are at the same level.
As you emerge from the woods, walk along the field bordering the Vienne.

(6) With your back to the Vienne, turn right to follow the tree-lined avenue.
Take Rue d’Artiges on the left before the railway bridge to return to Chauvigny. Walk past the cemetery.
Turn right into Rue des Chaumes. At the top of this hill, turn right then left. Cross the railway line to reach your starting point, the railbike car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 76 m - Velo-Rail Car Park
  2. 1 : km 0.56 - alt. 73 m - SNCF bridge
  3. 2 : km 1.48 - alt. 100 m - Second path on the left
  4. 3 : km 2.08 - alt. 96 m - Bridge leading to the village of Le Breuil
  5. 4 : km 2.82 - alt. 76 m - Quarry junction - Bord de Vienne
  6. 5 : km 3.02 - alt. 65 m - Quarries
  7. 6 : km 4.55 - alt. 62 m - Tree-lined avenue on the right
  8. S/E : km 5.86 - alt. 76 m - Velo-Rail car park

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
3.8 / 5
AYRAULT DANIELLE
AYRAULT DANIELLE

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, except that, as usual, the paths aren’t maintained until the end of May!!!

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Nallie86
Nallie86

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route was brilliant in the Sunday sunshine.
It’s varied, with sections through the woods and others on trails, descents and, of course… climbs.
The scenery has a few pleasant surprises in store.
I highly recommend it.

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marieetmichel
marieetmichel

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The starting point is very hard to find. It’s not opposite the rail bike, as that area is inaccessible.
You need to head in this direction and find a path that’s not easy to spot.
Otherwise, the only points of interest are the quarries; the walk along the Vienne is mainly on higher ground and you can hardly see anything.
A bit disappointed.

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rose des sable
rose des sable

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 03, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A lovely walk; strolling along the Vienne is brilliant – it’s a shame the route is so short. In any case, thank you for all these trails full of discoveries.

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grandin
grandin ★

Neither Visorando nor the author are responsible for the signposting or maintenance of the trails. It is true that in spring, local authorities often fall a little – or even a great deal – behind with trail maintenance...

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rosminet
rosminet

When we went for that walk (in early May, if I remember correctly), there wasn't any tall grass.

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craff
craff

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

The path is poorly signposted at the start and has not been maintained along the section running alongside the railway line: tall grass

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