Between the pillars of the Millau Viaduct

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Who has never dreamed, like Icarus, of seeing the world from above...
More prosaically, this walk will take us between the legs of the smallest pier of the viaduct.
A quick glance at the chapel of Brocuéjouls, another at a double chamber dolmen, not to mention the exceptional panorama of the Tarn valley below.
In short, a family-friendly route with a moderate elevation gain.
Enjoy your walk.

Details

n°1824051
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.61 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 148 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 154 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 617 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 493 m
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Photos

View from the west side
Dolmen
Towards the motocross track
Pile P1

Description of the walk

To reach the starting point, from Millau, go to the Aumières-hautes roundabout and follow the signs for the Brocuéjouls rest area.

(S/E) When you reach the chapel of the same name, park in the adjacent car park. A visit to the site is a must. From there, take the tarmac road to the right for 50 metres. Take the path that branches off to the left of the road.

(1) At the three-way junction, turn left. You will also need to turn left at the second intersection.
At the third intersection, turn left again.

(2) Be careful to turn left and take a particularly steep path for 30 metres. At the end of the vegetation, go straight ahead for 30 metres and take the path that will lead you to the tarmac road.
Then follow the signs for Soulobres, pass under the motorway and 100 metres after the motorway bridge, turn left at the crossroads. Follow this path to the three-way junction.

(3) At the Y-junction, follow the gravel path on the right (not the tarmac road). At the next junction, continue along the gravel path on the left. Stay on this wide path (you will come across numerous tracks for two-wheeled vehicles... ignore them!). Continue until you reach the dolmen fork.

(4) When you reach this crossing point, before leaving the gravel path to turn onto the path that descends (marked by a marker post), you must visit the dolmen located on the gravel path 40 metres from the intersection. After your visit, return to the marker post and follow the path on the right. The rest of the route runs along the edge of a cultivated field.

(5) At the Y-junction, follow the sloping path that branches off to your right, makes a wide left turn and then a right turn.

(6) The path crosses a path coming from above; turn right. The slope descends gently before climbing again for 100 metres via pile P1. After taking the usual photos, cross the pile to the tarmac road.

(7) Cross the road and follow the path on the right. Continue along the path that winds through the trees to the crossroads on the way out.

(1) Take the path you took on the way up; the car park (S/E) is not far away.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 575 m - Brocuéjouls chapel car park
  2. 1 : km 0.4 - alt. 573 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 0.9 - alt. 580 m - Steep slope on the left
  4. 3 : km 1.75 - alt. 606 m - Turn right onto the gravel path.
  5. 4 : km 3.32 - alt. 564 m - Dolmen fork
  6. 5 : km 3.65 - alt. 525 m - Turn right at the fork.
  7. 6 : km 4.24 - alt. 537 m - On the right, the path descends.
  8. 7 : km 4.7 - alt. 508 m - Crossing the road
  9. S/E : km 6.61 - alt. 575 m - Brocuéjouls chapel car park

Notes

This route requires a little attention given the multitude of paths created by two-wheel enthusiasts.
(motorbike trial ground nearby).
No special equipment is required, except for the essentials: map, hat and drinks.

Worth a visit

Next to the car park, visit the small chapel of Brocuéjouls, a typical example of Romanesque architecture. Also worth seeing on the site is the adjoining cemetery.

Shortly afterwards, a hedge of holm oaks will protect you from the heat of the sun.

At (4), you can admire a double-chambered dolmen. Probably dating from the Neolithic period, it no longer has the tumulus that covered it when it was first built.

Finally, the highlight of this route is the Millau Viaduct and its P1 pier, which you can walk under.
A sign posted by the company that owns the site reminds visitors to respect the site (no graffiti or other damage, etc.).

Finally, a visit to the Brocuéjouls rest area is a must.
First, climb up to the viewpoint at the end of the rest area (facing south). A must...
Then you will find places to eat (high-quality, local food), not to mention the many exhibitions showcasing local expertise.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Reliability of the description
3.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
toutain
toutain

Overall rating : 3 / 5

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

A very unpleasant hike for hikers. Wide path, road, following a fence for quite some time, really no interest except for the passage under the pillar. Not recommended.

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Vincent Boit
Vincent Boit

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed with an 11-year-old child. No particular difficulty, and magnificent views.

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POULIN Gérard
POULIN Gérard ★
micheline
micheline

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We were very satisfied with this hike. We really enjoyed passing through pier number 1, which is very impressive. We had a view of the Millau Viaduct throughout the entire hike. However, I took out a subscription to Visorando but I can't use it because I don't know how it works. There was no one to show me and no way to contact anyone at Visorando. I definitely won't be renewing my subscription.

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randoleshautes
randoleshautes

Very good, no problem at all.

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Nadège12
Nadège12

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A short hike with my nephew and niece,
a pleasant moment because you can see the viaduct from several angles.

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Jmimi
Jmimi

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This route is classified as easy. I agree for most of the route, but not at all for the passage under pier 1 of the viaduct. The route is shared with a mountain bike trail, and they have completely destroyed this fairly steep descent. In some bends, the ruts are up to 1 metre deep, making it very impassable. I therefore do not recommend this route for this reason, even if it is unusual to pass underneath.

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GFLANDROIS
GFLANDROIS

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Do not confuse the motorway service area with the area at the foot of the bridge.
A varied route that includes the bridge, the dolmen and a chapel.
Easy route.

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chantalb30
chantalb30

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk. I did it in the opposite direction: I think it's easier that way because we didn't hesitate for a second at the junctions we came across, especially with the IGN map. It was impressive to cross the P1 pier of the viaduct. What's more, in May, everything was in bloom. A memorable picnic in the meadow under the dolmen with a breathtaking view.
Lots of souvenir photos and a viaduct photographed from every angle.
Thank you for this route, we really enjoyed it.

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my46
my46
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A few hesitations at certain junctions due to all the crossroads. One or two mistakes forced us to turn back. Apart from that, the route is very nice and pleasant, with no particular difficulties. It's an opportunity to see the Millau Viaduct from a different angle, surrounded by somewhat wild vegetation. It was a shame that the Brocuéjouls chapel was closed... The double burial chamber dolmen is worth a look.

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kimilea
kimilea
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely, easy walk, interesting for me because, fascinated by this remarkable building, I take photos of it from every angle.
In truth, I have fallen in love with this region and my wish is to return as often as possible.

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