The Medieval Trail from Rignac to Belcastel

Travel through 1,000 years of history from Rignac to Belcastel, a medieval site that was restored in the 20th century and is now one of the Aveyron's major attractions.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.80 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 405 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 405 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 607 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 404 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure: Rignac swimming pool car park

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

(1) Turn right, go under the cattle grid and turn left. Join the Colombiès road at Riguetorte.

(2) Turn right, then right again, and cross the hamlet of Riguetorte (follow the signs). Cross the road and take the dirt track opposite. Follow this track downhill to Fans.

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

(4) Cross the bridge and turn left onto the D285. Pass a track on your right. At the hairpin bend, take the road on the left towards Fort Lourdou - Roc d'Anglars.

(5) Continue straight on to Roc d'Anglars. After the bend with the small bridge and guardrail, take the path on the left and then on the right to Belcastel.

(6) Cross the Aveyron river via the stone bridge. Climb up to the castle via a paved slanting street opposite. Leave the first paved slanting street and take the second one to the Route du Château. Go around the castle to climb the road, cross the Riou Nègre and arrive at a crossroads after the castle.

(7) Continue straight ahead, then, at a sharp left-hand bend, take the path on the right into the woods, following the signs (steep climb). Keep left until you reach the farm.

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

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

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

(1) Turn right to return to the starting point via the same route you took on the way there. (S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 489 m - La Peyrade Park
  2. 1 : km 0.89 - alt. 508 m - Shared gardens
  3. 2 : km 1.45 - alt. 536 m - D997
  4. 3 : km 3.59 - alt. 422 m - Fans - Aveyron (rivière)
  5. 4 : km 4.74 - alt. 411 m - Pont Neuf - Aveyron (rivière)
  6. 5 : km 6.41 - alt. 470 m - Roc d'Anglars - Lourdou
  7. 6 : km 7.56 - alt. 409 m - Belcastel - Aveyron (rivière)
  8. 7 : km 8.05 - alt. 459 m - Château de Belcastel
  9. 8 : km 9.5 - alt. 551 m - Ferme de la Bastille
  10. 9 : km 10.93 - alt. 582 m - D994
  11. 10 : km 13.06 - alt. 499 m - La Bouldoire
  12. S/E : km 15.8 - alt. 489 m - La Peyrade Park

Notes

- Wear sturdy footwear.
- Bring some provisions and drinks.
- Hikers follow the route at their own risk. They remain responsible for any accidents they may be involved in and any damage they may cause to others (forest fires, damage, pollution, etc.).
- Stay on the trails and do not take shortcuts. If the route changes, follow the new markings.
- Be considerate. We are not alone on the trails, so think of others.
- Take your rubbish with you. Leave no trace of your visit, do not throw anything on the ground, take a rubbish bag with you.
- Keep your dog on a leash, especially near homes or livestock.
- Close gates and barriers behind you, and walk around crops. It is important to respect the work of those who shape and preserve our environment.
- Respect the rules of certain places.
- Do not light fires. Covered areas (forests) or areas that are too exposed (scrubland, dry heathland, etc.) can catch fire very quickly.
- Do not drink water from streams. Clear water does not mean safe water.
- Find out about hunting seasons, as some routes may be dangerous.

Worth a visit

From Rignac, the centre of the Pays Rignacois, walk towards 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, which was 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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