The Cirque de Bône

This path follows the edge of the Aveyron river and then goes around the Cirque de Bône. There are several viewpoints from which you can admire the Aveyron valley and the limestone cliffs.

Details

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Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.02 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 205 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 206 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 289 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 114 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Road access: In Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val, park in the car park on Avenue de la Gare, on the banks of the Aveyron and under the plane trees.

(S/E) Continue to the end of the car park, then take the small road on the right, which then becomes a track and follows the Aveyron. Stay on this track. On your left, you will find the source of Poulso Guerro.

(1) Continue along the track until you reach a first intersection with a house. Continue straight ahead along the Aveyron until you reach a field.

(2) Continue until you reach the road (D115). Follow this road to the right, cross the bridge and, just before the tunnel, take the track on the right.

(3) Leave the track and take the path that starts with steps on your left. The climb begins. The path zigzags upwards with steps. You will then arrive at the foot of the cliff. A steeper and more difficult section begins, where the ground can be slippery (there are cables to help you), ending when you see the "OUF" sign. Remember to turn around from time to time to enjoy the view.

The well-marked trail follows the side of the cirque, revealing the Aveyron, its mills and the Roc d'Anglars. There are intersections that lead back up to the Cirque de Bône car park and its information board (small sign with a "Y").

Red markings

(4) Keep to the path on the hillside, which will begin to zigzag downhill through a limestone landscape. At one point, you will enter an area of boxwood and moss. Leave the path and follow a small stream on your right for 3 metres to reach a natural water hole in the rock and a small gariotte (stone hut) just above it on your right.

(5) Return to the trail, pass a watering hole and continue along the trail until you reach a clearly marked intersection.

End of the signposts

(6) Take the path downhill on the right. When you reach the banks of the Aveyron, continue along the path on the left and follow the river. Take the road that climbs up in front of you and, at the next intersection, take the road to the right.
Pass the Maladrerie, the former leper colony, then the old lime kilns (cliffs carved out on the left).

(7). Continue straight ahead and enter Saint-Antonin. Continue to the small bridge over the Bonnette and cross it.

(8) Turn right and follow the road on the pavement. Cross the bridge over the Aveyron river, then turn right to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 124 m - Parking: Avenue de la Gare
  2. 1 : km 1.05 - alt. 123 m - Source of Poulso Guerro
  3. 2 : km 2.78 - alt. 124 m - Field, continue to the road
  4. 3 : km 3.09 - alt. 124 m - Stairs, take the path on the left
  5. 4 : km 4.07 - alt. 284 m - At the Y-junction, continue along the hillside
  6. 5 : km 4.58 - alt. 230 m - Water hole and cazelle
  7. 6 : km 5.25 - alt. 185 m - At the intersection, turn right and head downhill
  8. 7 : km 7.27 - alt. 131 m - Place known as La Maladrerie
  9. 8 : km 8.37 - alt. 123 m - Small bridge at La Bonnette
  10. S/E : km 9.02 - alt. 124 m - Parking: Avenue de la Gare

Notes

There is only one climb, which is very steep and equipped with cables to help you up (see photo).

The passage is sunny on the slopes, so bring appropriate equipment depending on the season.

Steep passage under the cliff, good footwear recommended.

Alternative
For those who don't want to make the climb: continue towards the tree-top adventure park car park, take the path between the Aveyron and the tree-top adventure park to find the trail again a little further on along the riverbank.

Worth a visit

The medieval village of Saint-Antonin-Noble-Val and its Sunday morning market.
Saint-Antonin natural mineral water is available in local shops.
Numerous hiking trails, maps available at the Saint-Antonin tourist office.
Canoeing and numerous outdoor activities in the village.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 57 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Laurent BAYOL
Laurent BAYOL

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful panorama.

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Mare
Mare

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice little hike.
A good climb, physically demanding but relatively short, to reach the summit. So it's accessible if you take your time.
I was a little disappointed because the term "Cirque" led me to imagine an incredible landscape (like the Cirque de Navacelles or...) and clearly that's not what you get here.
That said, the trail is nice and St Antonin Noble Val is gorgeous, especially its optician!

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Thomas2B
Thomas2B

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike. The climb is short but quite strenuous (it was fine in dry weather, but if it rains it must be very slippery). The view from the top is well worth the effort!

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Leclanpin
Leclanpin

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike and beautiful climb.
Beautiful view, best avoided in hot weather.

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AACR
AACR

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, the climb up the steep hill was a little slippery on Sunday due to the moisture on the dead leaves.
The cable along the cliff is really helpful.

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meltps
meltps

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful view and very beautiful hike. The Côte de Ouf (Crazy Coast) lives up to its name.

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Marc Vandevelde
Marc Vandevelde

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike. The climb is quite challenging, with breathtaking views of the valley and the river. And a visit to Saint Antonin is definitely a must!

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TISSOTY
TISSOTY

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike offering magnificent views of the Aveyron Gorges.

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zabelou31
zabelou31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very beautiful hike with magnificent views and the discovery of a beautiful medieval village. A little disappointed by the end of the hike, which takes place along the roadside.

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Vendouest
Vendouest

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with stunning views.
The only downside is that it's not easy to find the trail on the plateau (near the car park)!

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Jicih14
Jicih14

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

There are no markings or signs on the slopes and plateau of Bone, and the vegetation was very dry at this time of year. I cannot guarantee your safety in the event of a fire. There are numerous paths on the plateau with no markings whatsoever, some of which lead to dead ends with a risk of falling you can limit your walk to simply skirting around the Averon and taking the road to the viewpoint, as the landscape is magnificent

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chlarnard
chlarnard

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The Cirque de Bône is as beautiful as ever... and relatively accessible to all.
An ideal outing for the family, with a picnic in the shade on the banks of the Aveyron.
Not to be missed.

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Patqued
Patqued

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike

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matoutoune
matoutoune

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 01, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in the hills above Saint Antonin, then along the Aveyron river. An easy and enjoyable route

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Benny
Benny

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful hike that isn't too difficult, even if the steep climb requires a bit of concentration. A very pretty viewpoint, even on a grey day.
Perhaps add some additional information about the PR markings.
A good time.

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