The Cousin Valley starting from Avallon

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This “challenging” round-trip hike follows the River Cousin as closely as possible between Avallon and Pontaubert. Various signs along the route provide information on the work carried out to restore and maintain the habitat necessary for fish reproduction.

Details

n°12034357
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.03 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 177 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 184 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 643 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 509 ft
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Photos

Log bridge

Description of the walk

Park in Avallon, in the Cousin-le-Pont car park.

(S/E) Turn left onto Rue des Iles Labaumes. Go under the bridge. Take the metal footbridge to cross the Cousin. Turn right and follow the path that runs alongside the river.

(1) Cross the footbridge and continue along the path that runs alongside the river.

(2) Opposite the old Moulin Léger, on the other bank, continue along the path.

(3) Pass a difficult section of about ten metres, secured by a chain serving as a handrail, and continue.

(4) Opposite the Moulin des Ruats, on the other bank, continue along the path.

(5) At the junction, go straight on following theGR® (red and white markings).

(6) Cross the stream via the log bridge.

(7) Opposite the Moulin des Templiers, on the other bank, continue along the path to Ponttaubert.

(8) Turn back and take the path in the opposite direction to the Cousin-le-Pont car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 594 ft - Cousin-le-Pont car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.29 - alt. 627 ft - Footbridge - Le Cousin (rivière)
  3. 2 : mi 0.53 - alt. 587 ft - Ancien Moulin Léger
  4. 3 : mi 1.03 - alt. 584 ft - Passage secured by a handrail
  5. 4 : mi 1.74 - alt. 538 ft - Moulin des Ruats
  6. 5 : mi 1.88 - alt. 545 ft - Continuation of the GR
  7. 6 : mi 2 - alt. 535 ft - Log bridge
  8. 7 : mi 2.35 - alt. 538 ft - Moulin des Templiers
  9. 8 : mi 2.52 - alt. 518 ft - Pontaubert
  10. S/E : mi 5.03 - alt. 594 ft - Cousin-le-Pont car park

Notes

This hike is not recommended for young children.

The path is very uneven with numerous uprooted trees that you have to step over and sections where you have to climb or cross the river at a steep angle. A particularly dangerous section, about ten metres long, has been secured with a chain serving as a handrail (3).

Warning: During periods of heavy rain, flooding of the Cousin river may render the path impassable or dangerous.

Worth a visit

Several mills situated on the river have been restored and converted into hotels.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
3.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
BARILLEC
BARILLEC

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note that this route is closed between the two footbridges and diversions are in place onto the road between the Moulin des Isles and the Pont des Gardes.
We tried to go through anyway, but it’s very difficult because of the many large fallen trees.
On the way back, we therefore took the path branching off to the left, heading back through the forest (to the south, in other words), which joins the Cousin near the Moulin des Isles; it’s marked on the map. A lovely, fairly easy forest path despite the elevation gain.

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isadu89
isadu89

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk.
Well signposted.
A few slightly tricky sections.
It’s a shame we had to turn back!

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Jolyne
Jolyne

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 22, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, well-signposted route that allows you to enjoy the beautiful Morvan region.
It’s actually quite a challenging route, best tackled in dry weather as there’s a high risk of slipping.
As we hadn’t anticipated certain difficulties, we only did the outward leg and returned by road.

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Jacques Caudry
Jacques Caudry

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

the information isn't very clear
you even wonder if the description wasn’t the other way round!
needs reviewing

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TROVAN
TROVAN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We only did the outward leg.
Follow the signs carefully. Watch out for roots.
A lovely, peaceful walk along the banks of the Cousin,
For the return journey, we extended the route via Pontaubert, the cemetery hill, the woods of Pontaubert and Island, then back towards the banks of the Cousin via Champ de la Biche.
Circular route of about 13 km through beautiful forests.

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