Between Brienne and Aveyron

Park at the bend in the road between the hamlets of Sanhes and Le Rival (take care not to block access to the adjacent meadows). If this is full, try to park at the hamlet of Le Rival a little further down.

(S/E) Start the walk by continuing straight ahead along the path you are on.

(1) Ignore a path branching off to the left (this will be your return route) and follow the red and white markings of^{the GR®62B}south-eastwards.

(2) At the junction, take the road on your left. At the next junction, carry on straight ahead and, 100 metres further on, take the path that goes straight down. At the hamlet known as La Brienne, take the path on your left and carry on straight ahead (south-west). Keep following the^GR® markings^.

(3) At the crossroads, carry straight on along the main track, leaving the GR^®. Near the barn, carry straight on where the climb is gentler.

(4) At the junction, carry on straight ahead (east-north-east). Several paths do not appear on the IGN map; however, I suggest carrying on straight ahead to enjoy the view over the valley. If you take a wrong turn and go right, it’s no problem as the path leads to the same place. At the top of the climb, turn right to join a road.

(5) Once you reach the road, turn left and carry on straight ahead until you reach the start of a descent through the woods.

(6) The path splits into two. Take the path on the right, which runs along the slope you’re on.
Once again, if you take a wrong turn, it’s no problem, as the other path can serve as a shortcut.
Cross the stream then head up the slope. Go round the first field and you’ll reach a junction at the corner of another field (elevation 607). Follow the small mountain bike sign to the left (north-east) and enjoy a lovely descent.

(7) Cross the Brienne via the small bridge provided for this purpose. Head back up and reach the hamlet of La Heath.

(8) At the crossroads, head north-west along the road opposite and to your left. Continue towards Linars / Les Ballades. At the next three crossroads, keep heading due west, i.e. straight on.

(9) Turn right (north) onto the Linars path (^GR®62B®), continue straight on, then turn left and descend the series of hairpin bends through the Linars woods. At the bottom of the descent, turn left and follow the River Aveyron on your right.

(10) This section is a little steep; use the rope on your right for support. Once you reach the end, you’ll come out onto the road. Turn right and follow it. Before you reach the hamlet known as Les Ballades, take the hairpin bend on your left and head up the hill.

(11) Shortly after the house, head off to the right towards the west, onto the path that descends towards the forest. From there, there is only one possible path; it is not signposted nor marked on IGN maps, though it is clearly visible on the ground and on some maps.
Important: See Practical Information regarding this section.

(12) At the end of this lovely path along the Aveyron, turn left and head uphill. Once at the top, you’ll rejoin the original path; turn right to return to the start (S/E).

This walk is ideal in hot weather.
In the middle of a rainy winter, the section between (11) and (12) may be submerged if the River Aveyron floods. If this appears to be the case, simply finish the walk by continuing along the road at (11) and rejoin the outbound route towards (2).
The same applies during the summer months, when the area is overgrown with dense, rather unpleasant vegetation.

It is possible to start the walk from the hamlet of La Heath (8), where there is a car park.

Hello, botany enthusiasts – here you can admire a wealth of flowers in spring.
You’ll also find lovely spots for picnicking, fishing (check for permits) and even swimming.