From Saint-Bonnet-du-Gard to Pont du Gard

A breathtaking heritage walk leading to one of the most beautiful wonders in France, the Pont du Gard.

Details

32617130
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.05 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 255 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 250 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 145 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 33 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park opposite the town hall.

Red and white GR® markings

(S/E) From the town hall, head towards the centre of the village, cross the D6086 carefully and take Rue de l'Hôtel de Ville opposite. Ignore Rue de l'Horloge on the left, then take the next street and continue to Place de la Mairie. Continue uphill on Rue de l'Église. At Place du Porche, continue straight ahead, passing under the porch, to reach the fortified church.

(1) After enjoying the site, return to the town hall by following the same route in reverse.

(S/E) Continue along the small road and at the three-way junction, keep right and continue to the end of the straight road.

(2) Leave the road that branches off to the left and take the path opposite. This leads to a forest track.

(3) Cross it and continue straight ahead on a very slight downhill slope. This section through the woods is very pleasant, especially as it is shaded. You will come to a crossroads.

(4) Go up to the left and after a few metres of balcony paths, the Pont du Gard comes into view. Cross a track and reach the ruins of the Pont de Valmale.

(5) Head up to the right, cross the tunnel and reach the top of the Pont du Gard. Take the stairs to reach the bottom of the building.

(6) Turn left and cross the Gardon.

(7) At the end of the crossing, climb the stairs on the right. Follow theGR® north-west then north, paying attention to the side paths. Further on, you will come to a road.

(8) Cross it and follow theGR®63opposite. The ruins of the Nîmes Aqueduct are located along this section. You will arrive at the Pont Roupt.

(9) Retrace your steps in the opposite direction to the ruins of the Pont de Valmale.

Yellow markings

(5) Leave the route you have already taken and cross the centre of the bridge, then turn right onto the stairs and, a few metres further on, follow a path. This turns into a track and, several hundred metres further on, leads to a crossroads.

(10) Turn left, pass a cistern (at this point, there is a view of Saint-Bonnet-du-Gard) and arrive at the intersection you have already passed.

Red and white markings

(3) Turn right and follow the same route back to the town hall (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 48 m - Parking opposite the Town Hall.
  2. 1 : km 0.36 - alt. 83 m - Fortified church
  3. 2 : km 1.31 - alt. 65 m - Common fork. Return trip
  4. 3 : km 1.72 - alt. 121 m - Forest track. Crossroads of the circular
  5. 4 : km 3.3 - alt. 45 m - Signpost, trail intersection
  6. 5 : km 3.76 - alt. 61 m - Valmale Bridge ruins
  7. 6 : km 4.02 - alt. 36 m - Pont du Gard
  8. 7 : km 4.23 - alt. 39 m - End of the Pont du Gard crossing - Le Gardon
  9. 8 : km 4.95 - alt. 60 m - Road and trail junction
  10. 9 : km 5.46 - alt. 61 m - Roupt Bridge
  11. 10 : km 8.59 - alt. 145 m - Trail fork
  12. S/E : km 10.05 - alt. 48 m - Parking opposite the Town Hall.

Notes

Video of the hike at the following link https://youtu.be/CFbn13HhrY8

Please note that there is an error on the IGN map: thefirst section, between (3) and (5), is markedGR®6(white-red), while the return section, between (5) and (3), is only markedPR® (yellow)

There is a beautiful shaded section between (3) and (4).

On the way back, after the (5), there is very little shade, so a hat and sunscreen are highly recommended.

Worth a visit

Museum area at the Pont du Gard.

The Sernhac Tunnels south of Saint-Bonnet-du-Gard (bring a head torch).

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

4.6 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Jipaipai
Jipaipai

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The first kilometre was quite challenging, with an uphill path covered in large rocks that we encountered again on the way back, but otherwise, the Pont du Gard is well worth the few kilometres it takes to get there. We had lunch at the restaurant "Les Terrasses", which offered very good value for money. We took lots of photos during this hike, as the site is truly majestic. There were very few people there at the end of January, but this is not the case during the summer months.

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User 4031891

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very well

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User 27544307

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The group is currently learning how to lead walks.
Visorando should help and support us.

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chris2103
chris2103

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

The frequency is mainly at the Pont du Gard, but it's quiet between St Bonnet and the bridge.

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Bientzat
Bientzat

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I really enjoyed this route, which leads to the Pont du Gard through the countryside from Saint Bonnet du Gard. The village is interesting, with its fortified church (unfortunately closed) and fountain. You need good shoes as the path is sometimes stony. It's impossible to get lost with the app. From point 4, there is a short uphill section which is dusty and rutted. Once you arrive at the Pont du Gard site, you'll find it's very busy with tourists. You can have lunch at the restaurant on site. Then, continuing towards points 8 and 9, you'll discover the importance of the aqueduct, which is not limited to the bridge, as you explore the remains of the route. The return to point 10 is a bit tedious and there is no shade.

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User 27025439

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful way to reach the Pont du Gard.
The path can be a bit difficult at times.
You need good shoes and strong legs, as the path is stony and uphill.
But it's well worth the effort.

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Claude R3.
Claude R3.

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An interesting and popular route, but it can be difficult to follow the markings on the way back, given the number of unmarked paths that are not shown on the map.

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Edipie
Edipie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike with the added bonus of seeing the Pont du Gard without paying the entrance fee

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Jopo
Jopo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A great way to "earn" this extraordinary ancient monument is to approach it on foot via this hike rather than parking as close as possible.
Nearby, around points 5, 6 and 7, it's worth straying a little from the route described to enjoy the views indicated on the 1/25000 IGN map on the two plateaus on either side of the Gardon, but also to have a drink at the aptly named bar-restaurant Les Terrasses.
For those who are in a hurry or tired, to save yourself 2 km, there is little point in going to points 8 and 9 after enjoying the marvel.
Thanks to the author for the hike

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Patrick PREVOST
Patrick PREVOST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk with magnificent views of the bridge...
Tip #1:
Arrive just in time to picnic on the beach, the views of the bridge and the river are magnificent
Tip #2:
At the end of the outward journey, take the marked path on the right with the information boards to reach the riverbank at the end, rather than retracing your steps

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Sozebe
Sozebe

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A somewhat challenging hike at the start along a path resembling a dry riverbed, but relatively easy thereafter. Best done early in the season as the return route is completely unshaded. Still very good, though!

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Domdom11
Domdom11

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike that we did "backwards" to avoid walking back in the blazing sun on the forest track. I should point out that we set off early, so everyone should adjust the direction according to their departure time, bearing in mind that the section between points 3 and 10 and then up to about halfway between points 10 and 5 is in full sun. There were very few people on the trail on 14 April 2024.

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marie3084
marie3084

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

We did this route when the wildflowers were in bloom.
Arrival at the magnificent Pont du Gard...
We had trouble finding the end of the route.
So we crossed the bridge and set off again along the route.

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CédricChe
CédricChe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike. No difficulty following the route.
Very beautiful view of the bridge as you approach it.
The return trip (between 5 and 10) is not the most enjoyable. A very wide path, designed for firefighting during the summer. Which is in full sun and should be avoided during the summer months.
We recommend it.

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yunayna
yunayna

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Not very busy except around the Pont du Gard.
From the Roupt bridge (point 9), I returned via the Mémoires de Heath to reach point 7 directly. Mémoires de Heath is a 1.4 km circular trail.

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