Circuit via the Pas du Berlioz, the Brion Bridge and the Ébron footbridge

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A short route to get your legs moving as soon as the weather turns fine. No particular difficulty and some lovely views of the mountains surrounding the Trièves!

Details

n°1890077
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.39 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,322 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,316 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,398 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,591 ft
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Photos

View from the top of the Brion bridge
Lake Monteynard
Lake Monteynard
The Brion bridge

Description of the walk

Park in the Vignes car park at the end of the D110E after Treffort.

(S/E) Return towards the car park entrance, head towards the Ébron footbridge via the family track and follow this track (roughly flat) to the path junction.

(1) Leave the track slightly to the left and take the path straight ahead signposted Pas du Berlioz, reaching this pass.

(2) Continue along this path, which turns due north, to the Aurélia Gaymard memorial at the edge of the path.

(3) Take a sharp left-hand bend to join the path leading down towards the D34 and the Pont de Brion.

(4) Cross the D34 with care and take the path almost directly opposite, which cuts across the first hairpin bend. Then, at the next hairpin bend, continue along the road to the Pont de Brion.

(5) Cross the bridge over the Ébron and then continue along the road for a good hundred metres to the path junction.

(6) Leave the road and take the path on the left which leads to the Ébron Footbridge through the national forest.

(7) Cross the footbridge over the Ébron again, take the path that climbs to the left at the picnic tables and join the track.

(8) Follow this track to the right until you reach the original junction.

(1) Take the path leading down to the right, signposted "Retour Mira", via the fitness trail, and follow it to the car park at the start (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,627 ft - Parking at the Vignes car park. Towards the - Passerelle sur L'Ebron
  2. 1 : mi 1.57 - alt. 1,837 ft - Junction of the circular loop
  3. 2 : mi 2.11 - alt. 2,218 ft - Pas du Berlioz
  4. 3 : mi 2.4 - alt. 2,398 ft - Grave of Aurélia Gaymard
  5. 4 : mi 2.86 - alt. 1,857 ft - Crossing the D34
  6. 5 : mi 3.06 - alt. 1,591 ft - Suspension bridge - Pont de Brion
  7. 6 : mi 3.23 - alt. 1,841 ft - Path on the left
  8. 7 : mi 3.71 - alt. 1,696 ft - Ébron footbridge - Ébron (torrent)
  9. 8 : mi 3.9 - alt. 1,804 ft - Track on the right
  10. S/E : mi 5.39 - alt. 1,627 ft - Parking at the Vignes car park - Drac (rivière) - Drac Noir-Drac

Notes

In winter, the Vignes car park is free to use, but I believe it becomes a pay-and-display car park in high season, and there aren’t really any other parking options in this area.
This car park is long and narrow, but as the route is circular, it doesn’t matter where you park your car. There is a drinking water point and toilets in this car park.
The route can of course be done in either direction, but the section (between 3 and 4) is perhaps easier to tackle on the way down than on the way up.
(Between 5 and 6) the path can be slippery in wet weather.
The Ébron footbridge is not recommended for those prone to vertigo.
Picnic tables and toilets are available after crossing the Ébron footbridge.
(5) It is also possible to park at the Brion bridge and walk the circular route from there.

Worth a visit

(S/E) Near the car park, you can catch a glimpse of Herbelon Castle (hotel-restaurant) from the lakeside before setting off on the route.
(2) Admire the view of the Ébron footbridge and the Brion Bridge from the top of the cliff. Access to the small viewpoint is prohibited (due to the risk of the cliff collapsing) but the panoramic view is still there to enjoy.
(3) Before reaching this point, there is a cross in the middle of the path. Then, just before taking the sharp left-hand bend, look out for the unassuming graveof Aurélia Gaymard to the right of the path. Around this point, there is a view of the small Château du Clos (private property).
(5) At the entrance to the Pont de Brion, take a minute to read its history.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 26 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
MAMAROT J-L
MAMAROT J-L

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 08, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Given all the superlatives used by previous hikers to describe this
route, I’ll say just one thing: I agree. However, I’d describe it as moderate rather than easy.

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User 26702765

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Breathtaking... thanks for suggesting this!
A challenging start (which is to be expected given the gradient of the first few kilometres),
Clean, well-maintained paths,
We’ll be doing this route again for: the view of the lake and the footbridge, the magical metal bridge and the mobile kitchen at the finish line, waiting for hikers with a pizza made on the spot , a really good espresso and other treats

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User 22524809
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, very easy walk, done before the peak season so there were few people and the weather was perfect. Some beautiful views of the lake, with a few short climbs that slowed down some of us who were less fit, but everyone made it to the top. Part of the route is through woodland. So it’s perfect, with splendid views from the top of the Pas de Berlioz. Not to be missed – it’s not worth taking the ferry as the hike is really accessible.
A day that delighted all participants without exception.
Proof of that: next week we’re doing it all again with part of the group joined by other hikers to tackle the two footbridges, including the challenging one, over a 15 km route. So, Addict??? Yes.
Thank you for posting this hike and all the others. I hike with a group almost every Sunday using Visio Rando.
Virginie V

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Flopy 58
Flopy 58

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent walk with incredible views that delight us every time. A nice little climb to work off the excesses of the night before, but nothing too daunting. No difficulty at all. We are lucky to have weather that is more than spring-like. Thank you for this route.

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pmareuil
pmareuil

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with varied landscapes. It took us 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete the route at a pace of 3 km/h.

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DidierRando26
DidierRando26

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike. Not much to say, except that it's a shame the car park is pay-and-display. £6 for the day.
Beautiful hike, superb lake, footbridge and bridge too. Nice little climb and rugged descent. Bring walking sticks if you're not comfortable.
A very beautiful and exotic location.

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ANNE2669
ANNE2669

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful loop offering stunning panoramic views during the climb to Pas de Berlioz.

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romanche
romanche

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you very much for this magnificent hike. We were lucky enough to do it in autumn, with splendid colours thanks to the beautiful weather, and a deep blue lake. The view from the pass is superb. The Brion bridge crossing is very interesting. Unfortunately, the paths leading to the footbridge are extremely busy, as is the footbridge itself, with noisy people, shouting, singing at the top of their voices, etc., but it was Sunday!

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maryljoe
maryljoe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

we loved this hike, which we would classify as moderate rather than easy. We came back with some magnificent photos. The views are sublime. Be careful of the traffic, which can be fast at times when you reach the road.

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Hibiscussafi
Hibiscussafi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

pleasant route with beautiful views of the lake

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sylvie couriol
sylvie couriol

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

It's a beautiful hike with superb views of the stunning blue lake. The climb to the Berlioz Pass is a little steep but manageable. The view of the lake from the Himalayan footbridge is magnificent
Definitely worth doing

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ptizoro
ptizoro

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb walk this Sunday. We didn't know this loop.
A lovely surprise on the heights of the Berlioz Pass with its magnificent views... We did it in three hours and then enjoyed the beautiful view from the Brion Bridge.

The footbridge is always impressive, and my friends, who had never seen the Ebron footbridge before, were delighted...
Picnic after the footbridge, with tables and dry toilets nearby...

No particular difficulties, to be done again in the spring... Well signposted, no problems...

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cevennes17
cevennes17

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

I would classify this hike as moderate, as the path leading from Pas de Berlioz to the Aurélia Gaymard necropolis may not be accessible to everyone, given the significant elevation gain and fairly rough terrain.
The same applies to the descent from the necropolis to the Ebron bridge.

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jorgeluisvq
jorgeluisvq

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A well-marked walk that is easy to follow!
A very pleasant walk that climbs quite a bit at the very beginning, but after that it's fine... lovely views of the Brion bridge and the Ebron footbridge. Crossing the footbridge is quite an experience, especially with the wind ^^
At the end, it's very nice to sit by the lake!

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Justineee111
Justineee111

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 12, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

The walk was very pleasant. A little physically demanding at times, but not enough to require any special preparation. And it's well worth it for the view and the lights in the trees. You walk from one side of the mountain to the other, which is lovely. The light changes, the atmosphere varies...

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This is a beautiful, easy walk offering panoramic views of the Trièves basin and the surrounding peaks. The route and description were modified on 21 April 2022.

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