The Chamborigaud viaduct

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A short walk for a winter’s afternoon in the land of Jean-Pierre Chabrol. You pass under the magnificent Luech viaduct before climbing gently for a circular route through the Cévennes forests and returning to Chamborigaud.

Please note: On Monday 18 March 2024, the stone bridge spanning the Luech at the edge of the village collapsed. The start of the walk can be moved to Le Martinet: Chemin Jean-Pierre Chabrol.

Details

n°43785576
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.43 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 140 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 145 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 431 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 285 m
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Photos

Railway viaduct and road bridge over the Luech
The Luech Viaduct

Description of the walk

Start from the car park in the village centre.

(S/E) Follow the main road (D906) towards Génolhac, cross the bridge over the Luech and leave this main road. Turn immediately right towards Landiol until you reach a fork.

(1) Turn right towards the railway viaduct visible in the distance. Stay on the tarmac road, passing the magnificent Chamboverné farmhouse, then under the viaduct.

(2) At the first fork after this, keep right, following the river, and you will reach a second fork.

(3) Take the fairly steep path leading off to the left and follow this track to the Mas le Rigal.

(4) When you reach the farmhouse, turn left onto the unpaved track that climbs into the forest and follow it for about 1.5 km.

(5) Ignoring a track on the left towards Ganages, continue to the “Les Taillades” marker.

(6) Then take the fairly steep path that descends to the left. After a few hairpin bends, cross the railway bridge and continue to the hamlet of Caissol.

(7) Cross the small bridge over the river and take the road on your left which takes you back to the first junction.

(1) Turn right and follow the route back the way you came to reach the village centre car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 299 m - Car park in the village centre. Towards the bridge at - Luech (rivière) - Affluent de la Cèze
  2. 1 : km 1 - alt. 292 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.9 - alt. 291 m - Chamborigaud Viaduct - Viaduc de Chamborigaud
  4. 3 : km 2.29 - alt. 296 m - Fourche
  5. 4 : km 2.92 - alt. 364 m - Mas le Rigal
  6. 5 : km 4.58 - alt. 418 m - Track towards Gagnages
  7. 6 : km 5.4 - alt. 431 m - Les Taillades (marker)
  8. 7 : km 6.32 - alt. 294 m - Le Caissol
  9. S/E : km 7.43 - alt. 299 m - Village centre car park

Notes

Some may complain that a good half of the route is on tarmac, but, once again, this is a winter route and we avoid the muddy sections – which are never much fun – as much as possible.

Worth a visit

The Chamborigaud Viaduct (or Luech Viaduct) was built between 1865 and 1867. It is remarkable in several respects: its length (384 m), its height (46.30 m) and its 41 arches with a radius of 200 m. It is still in use on the line connecting Alès to Génolhac (and beyond).

Also worth noting is the proximity (around 12 km) of Chamborigaud to the magnificent Château de Portes on the road leading to La Grand Combe and then on to Alès.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
ERZATS
ERZATS

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A really nice route.

Machine-translated

Nunzia
Nunzia

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this route in the height of summer.
It’s best to set off very early to avoid the intense heat, as the walk is often in full sun.
The start is a bit dull as you have to get to the starting point, which isn’t accessible by car.
After that, it’s very pleasant. Magnificent scenery, the feeling of being alone in the world. In short, a lovely, very accessible walk.
The route is easy to follow.
The only downside is the last kilometre. The descent is steep and along a tricky, uninteresting path, but honestly, it’s still worth it for everything else.

Machine-translated

pellet
pellet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route was completed under a slightly overcast sky and mild temperatures, which meant we weren’t bothered by the tarmac sections.
The route description is clear and precise, and the signposting is adequate.
So, a very good little route to do in winter, except on rainy days, as the steep path from Les Taillades to the hamlet of Le Caissol is quite rutted.

Machine-translated

pellet
pellet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route was completed under a slightly overcast sky and mild temperatures, which meant we weren’t bothered by the tarmac sections.
The route description is clear and precise, and the signposting is good.
So, a very good little route to do in winter, except on rainy days, as the steep path from Les Taillades to the hamlet of Le Caissol is quite rutted.

Machine-translated

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