From the Vicasse bridge to Laguarde Viaur

Wild and secretive, the Viaur valley reveals its charms only to the most curious. The Viaur flows peacefully, surrounded by deep gorges and dotted with numerous mills and swimming areas.

Details

3907510
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.29 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 146 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 146 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 275 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 166 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Coming from Montirat, park just after the Vicasse bridge on the right.

Yellow/yellow and red markings

(S/E) Turn right onto the D69 towards the campsite: Le Gourpassou, and head down towards it.

(1) Walk along the banks of the Viaur (swimming possible).

(2) Ignore the path on the right that leads to the hamlet of Bar and continue along the riverbank until you reach the D239. Follow it for a few hundred metres (take care).

(3) When you reach the guinguette (open for refreshments during opening hours), turn left, cross the bridge and then turn left onto the road leading to Lagarde Viaur (you can take a stroll around this little village).

(4) Follow a small road on the left that winds along the Viaur to the Moulin de Cayrou. Then continue on a very shady path with small shores for swimming.

(5) The path turns sharply to the right and climbs through the undergrowth to Baute Basse. Continue along this path.

(6) Continue south on this small road that leads to the hamlet of Cros.

(7) At the hamlet (admire the beautiful restored buildings and the view). Be careful not to follow the path straight ahead; pass between the houses to rejoin the route and follow it until you reach the Viaur valley.

(8) Continue to the right along the river and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 187 m - Parking after the bridge. - Viaur (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.51 - alt. 177 m - Bank of the Viaur
  3. 2 : km 1.44 - alt. 175 m - The path is straight ahead.
  4. 3 : km 5.03 - alt. 175 m - The Lagarde Viaur open-air café
  5. 4 : km 5.47 - alt. 202 m - Fork in the road, left
  6. 5 : km 7.37 - alt. 172 m - Right-hand hairpin bend
  7. 6 : km 8.87 - alt. 272 m - Opposite on the small road
  8. 7 : km 9.58 - alt. 245 m - At Le Cros, between the houses
  9. 8 : km 10.32 - alt. 177 m - On the right, the banks of the Viaur
  10. S/E : km 11.29 - alt. 187 m - Parking after the bridge. - Viaur (rivière)

Notes

No water source, except at the guinguette in summer.
The route is very shaded but nevertheless at altitude, so it is advisable to wear a hat in hot weather.
Walking poles may be useful... perhaps on the climb!

Worth a visit

Alternative route:
(5) You can continue straight ahead, and the trail will take you back to the starting point along the other bank of the Viaur.

On the route, see the small village of Lagarde Viaur from the (4).
Stop for crêpes or a drink at the guinguette (3).

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 24780194

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant hike, without any difficulty!

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Escapade et création
Escapade et création

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 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, without any difficulty.

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jacquesetmartine
jacquesetmartine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, especially in hot weather, as most of the route is shaded and runs alongside the Viaur river.
An easy hike with little elevation gain. Pass through the pretty hamlet of Lagarde Viaur, which is well worth a visit.

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ciel.bleu
ciel.bleu

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Hello
The hike went well, except that on the path between the Vicasse bridge and the crêperie near Lagarde Viaur, the Viaur had overflowed in two places and, as there were steep rocks, we couldn't get onto dry ground. We walked through knee-deep water, but luckily it wasn't cold.
When the Viaur is in flood, the path along the river can be impassable. We could see from the vegetation that the Viaur had risen higher than yesterday when we did this hike.

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jcmonchy1955
jcmonchy1955

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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Joeber
Joeber

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The village of Lagarde Viaur is worth visiting
Beautiful hike, mostly shaded

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dammartin
dammartin

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route along the Viaur river, offering welcome coolness on a hot day.

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Tarn59
Tarn59
• Edited:

We will do it again in summer to see other views and enjoy the shade! The Viaur never disappoints!

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Tarn59
Tarn59

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant short hike, done in winter, with little mud, very well marked, no difficulty in finding your way. It took us 2 hours and 25 minutes (we are trained), the entire route is flat with no difficulty, except for a short, fairly steep climb of about 1 km. Accessible to all.
Coming from Carmaux, choose the starting point at point no. 3, in the crêperie car park. This is less road than the indicated starting point and makes it easy to do the circular route.

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marieabel
marieabel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

It's a good idea to park near the mill bridge (point 3 of the hike), start from there and follow the route. You can have a drink when you return to your cars...

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