The Medieval Trail from Rignac to Belcastel

Explore 1,000 years of history, from Rignac to Belcastel, a medieval site that was restored in the 20th century and is now a major attraction in the Aveyron.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.05 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,312 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,312 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,991 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,325 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Start: Rignac swimming pool car park.

(S/E) Take the fitness route towards the Maymac wetland. Continue straight on until you reach the road. Cross the road and ignore the fitness route on the left. At the next junction, continue straight on to cross the wetland. Walk alongside the allotments until you reach the road.

(1)Take the cattle underpass beneath the main road and continue straight on to Mancelle. Take the shaded footpath on the left to the Roman road. Turn left and, at Maison Neuve, take the dirt track on the right, which leads to Fans.

(2) Turn left onto the road and continue to Pont Neuf.

(3) Cross the bridge and take the D285 on the left. Ignore a track on the right. At the hairpin bend, take the road on the left towards Fort Lourdou – Roc d’Anglars.

(4) Continue straight on to Roc d’Anglars. After the bend, with a small bridge and railing, take the path on the left, then turn right towards Belcastel.

(5) Cross the Aveyron via the stone bridge. Climb up to the castle via a paved slanting street starting opposite. Ignore the first ascending paved slanting street and take the second one, up to the Route du Château. Go round the castle to climb the road, cross the Riou Nègre, and arrive at a junction after the castle.

(6) Continue straight ahead, then, at a sharp left-hand bend, take the path on the right into the woods, following the signposts (steep climb). Keep to the left all the way to the farm.

(7) Take the small path on the right. At the end of this, turn right onto the road leading to Le Luc. First turn left then right, staying on the tarmac roads, to cross the main road.

(8) Turn right towards Le Bruel, then left onto the dirt track towards La Bouldoire. Continue straight on until you reach the stream. After the stream, turn left onto a road leading to La Bouldoire.

(9) Continue, following the white markings, and cross a main road. Keep going straight at the next fork, then turn right. Continue straight ahead at the roundabout, then turn left at the crossroads to reach the junction you passed on the way out.

(1) Turn right to return to the starting point, following the route in reverse. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,604 ft - La Peyrade Park
  2. 1 : mi 0.55 - alt. 1,667 ft - Community gardens
  3. 2 : mi 2.47 - alt. 1,385 ft - Fans - Aveyron (rivière)
  4. 3 : mi 3.18 - alt. 1,348 ft - Pont Neuf - Aveyron (rivière)
  5. 4 : mi 4.22 - alt. 1,542 ft - Roc d'Anglars - Lourdou
  6. 5 : mi 4.93 - alt. 1,342 ft - Belcastel - Aveyron (rivière)
  7. 6 : mi 5.23 - alt. 1,506 ft - Château de Belcastel
  8. 7 : mi 6.13 - alt. 1,808 ft - Ferme de la Bastille
  9. 8 : mi 7.03 - alt. 1,909 ft - D994
  10. 9 : mi 8.35 - alt. 1,637 ft - La Bouldoire
  11. S/E : mi 10.05 - alt. 1,604 ft - La Peyrade Park

Notes

- Wear suitable footwear.
- Take some food and drink with you.
- Hikers follow the route at their own risk. They remain responsible for any accidents they may suffer and for any damage they may cause to others (forest fires, damage to the environment, pollution, etc.).
- Stay on the marked paths and do not take shortcuts. If the route has been altered, follow the new signposting.
- Be considerate. We are not the only ones using the paths; be mindful of others.
- Take your rubbish away with you. Leave no trace of your visit; do not throw anything on the ground; carry a rubbish bag with you.
- Keep your dog on a lead, particularly near homes or livestock.
- Close gates and fences behind you, and walk around crops. Please respect the work of those who shape and preserve our environment.
- Observe the rules in certain areas.
- Do not light fires. Areas with dense vegetation (forests) or those that are too exposed (scrubland, dry heathland, etc.) can catch fire very quickly.
- Do not drink water from streams. Clear water does not mean it is safe to drink.
- Check hunting seasons; some routes may be dangerous.

Worth a visit

From Rignac, the main town of the Pays Rignacois, make your way to Belcastel, one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”, and explore its paved slanting streets, from the Old Bridge and its church to its castle, restored in the 1970s by Fernand Pouillon.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
Office de tourisme du Pays Rignacois
Office de tourisme du Pays Rignacois

Thank you for your review! Have a lovely day!

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michel tessier
michel tessier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful wetlands at the start... long descent towards the Aveyron... beautiful forest... magnificent arrival at Belcastel...

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randovolant
randovolant

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Route to do once; only the village of Belcastel is of interest.

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sissi56
sissi56

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very nice route, but the starting point is not easy to find. Another small problem is that I didn't hear the sound signal when we took a wrong turn. I checked and it is definitely working on my mobile phone.

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Beaver
Beaver

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

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

Nice, but a long drive

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Office de tourisme du Pays Rignacois
Office de tourisme du Pays Rignacois

Hello and thank you for your comment. We are delighted and hope you will explore all our trails.

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Rigal
Rigal

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike to do
Picnic area
On the banks of the Aveyron with a view of the castle, there are tables with benches
Half of the route is on dirt tracks and half on tarmac
Slight incline in the Belcastel Rignac direction on the way back

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Office de tourisme du Pays Rignacois
Office de tourisme du Pays Rignacois

Hello Sir, and thank you for your positive review! Feel free to explore the various marked trails in the Pays Rignacois region: in Rignac, Belcastel and Bournazel. Enjoy your walk!

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nuscor
nuscor

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

Hello,
This hike is far from where we live (234 km round trip) but what a treat! If hikes were ranked, this one would be right up there with Belcastel, the highlight of the day.
Starting from the car park on Avenue du Ségala opposite the school, we followed the same route, descending to Roc d'Anglars to the statue of the Virgin Mary, a fairly steep path, then we had a picnic on the banks of the Aveyron in front of the Michelin-starred restaurant.
We returned by the same route as yours, except at the end, where we went straight back along the avenue to the car park.
During the reconnaissance, I had left from Belcastel, but the picnic took place in a field, sitting on a rotting tree trunk! It's much better this way, even if after the meal you have to tackle the climb, which isn't difficult but is long.
What's more, the weather was magnificent, much to the delight of the 19 participants.
This is a hike that I will put back on the 2024 calendar! And I am sure that word of mouth will have done its job and there will be plenty of people!!!
Best regards
Jean,

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