The Truyère Gorges and the Saut du Chien Waterfall, starting from Valon

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A circular route starting from Valon, following the GRP® Lo Camin d’Olt for the most part, passing by the Saut du Chien waterfall and the Phalip bridge. Magnificent views of the Truyère Gorges and Valon Castle throughout the route. A relatively challenging trail due to the elevation gain, but well-maintained and easy to follow thanks to the GRP® signposting along much of the route.

Details

n°98509457
Creation:
Last update:
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–
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.23 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 8h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,756 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,772 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,152 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 978 ft
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Photos

View of the Truyère near the footbridge
Phalip Bridge
The Truyère as seen from the Phalip bridge
In the woods before the waterfall

Description of the walk

Park in the small car park on Route du Prat.

(S/E) Take the GRP® Lo Camin d’Olt northwards, moving away from the hamlet of Valon (incorrectly spelt on the IGN map).

(1) At the hamlet of Prat, turn right then left, following the GRP® signposts. Continue straight on until you reach a track suitable for vehicles.

(2) Carry on in the same direction, high above the Truyère.

(3) Cross the footbridge over a small tributary and turn immediately right to join the D621 (Route de Valcayles).

(4) Turn right to cross the Brézou bridge and continue carefully along the road for about 1 km until you reach the Serre ravine.

(5) As you come out of the bend, take the path leading uphill to the left, which has been laid out as steps. Follow the GRP® signposts until you come to a small road at a place called Romegous.

(6) Turn left and continue for about 1 km, passing the turn-off for Panis further on to your right.

(7) At the hairpin bend, take the path leading off to the right of the road. Continue to follow the GRP® signposts.

(8) Ignore the path on the left towards Le Prat and carry straight on. Cross the Ruisseau des Vergnes and you’ll soon reach the Saut du Chien waterfall: there are two viewing points where you can take a few minutes to admire it before continuing on your way.

(9) Then continue to follow the GRP® southwards for about 3.5 km. Please note: although the map suggests a shortcut, it is not possible to turn off earlier as the path no longer exists.

(10) In the Bois de la Fage, leave the GRP® Lo Camin d’Olt and turn right onto a path that forms a hairpin bend. You’ll reach a junction with another path.

(11) Turn left at the hairpin bend to continue descending towards the Maurelle ravine. Once at the bottom, head off to the right to come out onto the D97 near the hamlet of Canines.

(12) Turn right and follow the road to the Pont Phalip.

(13) Cross the bridge, then, once you’ve crossed it, take the path on the left. Follow it until you cross the D97 again, then follow the road in the same direction until you reach the first junction.

(14) Cross the D97 carefully and head up to the right towards Valon Castle. Leave the castle on your right as you take a sharp left-hand bend, and head to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,791 ft - Valon hamlet – car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.22 - alt. 1,726 ft - Le Prat
  3. 2 : mi 0.95 - alt. 1,286 ft - Trail junction
  4. 3 : mi 3.03 - alt. 1,017 ft - Footbridge
  5. 4 : mi 3.26 - alt. 1,027 ft - Brézou Bridge
  6. 5 : mi 3.88 - alt. 1,207 ft - Serre Ravine
  7. 6 : mi 4.44 - alt. 1,601 ft - Romegous
  8. 7 : mi 4.91 - alt. 1,886 ft - Junction between the road and the GRP® trail
  9. 8 : mi 6.38 - alt. 2,123 ft - Junction, go straight on
  10. 9 : mi 7.19 - alt. 2,083 ft - Saut du Chien Waterfall
  11. 10 : mi 9.42 - alt. 1,926 ft - Bois de la Fage – GRP® trail ends here; turn right
  12. 11 : mi 10.11 - alt. 1,654 ft - Path forks to the left
  13. 12 : mi 11.44 - alt. 1,476 ft - Junction with the D97
  14. 13 : mi 12.6 - alt. 978 ft - Phalip Bridge
  15. 14 : mi 14.03 - alt. 1,716 ft - D97 – Valon
  16. S/E : mi 14.23 - alt. 1,791 ft - Valon hamlet – car park

Notes

Public toilets in the hamlet of Valon.

Plenty of water sources (streams and drinking troughs all along the route).

(S/E) The hamlet and castle of Valon are well worth a visit; I recommend taking the time to explore them at the start or end of the walk.

Worth a visit

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