The Selle Viaduct

Explore the viaduct (55 m high and 200 m long), a truly impressive engineering feat, part of the
railway line between Briançon and Veynes, overlooking the Selle torrent. A stone’s throw from Gap town centre, with an orientation table overlooking the whole of the Gapençais region.

Details

3008132
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 2.97 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 659 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 676 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 3,196 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 2,543 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

From Gap town centre, head towards Marseille. Take the exit for Veynes/Valence, then at the Eyssagnières roundabout, continue in the same direction. Take the second right onto Rue de Chaudefeuille. At the end, follow Chemin du Viaduc for 400 m. Park in the designated spaces. Look for the start sign.

(S/E) Sign marking the start: follow the path to the right for 300 m.

(1) At the junction, turn left. The path, initially flat, descends towards the Torrent de la Selle. Pass under the viaduct, cross the stream and climb up the left bank. The path turns into a track.

(2) At the junction, turn right. Once on the tarmac, continue straight ahead to the orientation table.

(3) At the orientation table, turn back along the same path.

(2) Turn right at the junction to cross the railway line via a bridge, then continue down the slope.

(4) Take a small path that dips to the left. When you reach a farm, go round it as best you can to join the track.

(5) Continue along the track, which climbs and joins the Chemin du Viaduc. Carry on straight ahead along the road to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,631 ft - Parking: Chemin du Viaduc
  2. 1 : mi 0.16 - alt. 2,720 ft - Junction towards the viaduct - Viaduc de la Selle
  3. 2 : mi 0.89 - alt. 2,959 ft - Crossroads leading to the orientation table
  4. 3 : mi 1.38 - alt. 3,196 ft - Orientation table
  5. 4 : mi 2.21 - alt. 2,789 ft - Small path junction on the left
  6. 5 : mi 2.53 - alt. 2,559 ft - Crossroads. Towards the - Rousine (rivière)
  7. S/E : mi 2.97 - alt. 2,635 ft - Parking: Chemin du Viaduc

Notes

Recommended car park: Chemin du Viaduc.
No water source.

Worth a visit

This is a short section of the Way of St James.

Must-see:

  • The little Selle stream.
  • Orientation table on the Veynes road.
  • The Selle Viaduct, dating from 1880, a magnificent example of stonemasonry with its two-tiered arches.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 4 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
TCAB
TCAB

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little stroll.

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Marie-Cécile Faucher
Marie-Cécile Faucher

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A well-signposted route also used by mountain bikers.
A varied and pleasant landscape with no difficulties, except perhaps in heavy rain: there is a ford to cross.
Starting from the St Jean district, you soon reach the railway viaduct and end up with a superb view of the surrounding mountains: Charance on one side, and the area around Théus on the other.

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Moyenne Randonneuse
Moyenne Randonneuse

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
Being able to access a hiking route on an IGN base map is essential for me!
And then the descriptions, which are usually provided in the text, are broken up to follow the terrain. It’s a great way to prepare for the hike.
I really appreciate it, thank you

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CPOIRAUD
CPOIRAUD
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy, mostly shaded walk, with a few steep sections not suitable for pushchairs. Explore the viaduct, which is of architectural and historical interest. A magnificent 360° panorama from the information panel. Several lovely viewpoints along the route.

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