The Voueize Gorges

de fr

This short hike also gives you the opportunity to discover the charming village of Chambon-sur-Voueize.
The walk can be done as a circular route, but only the first half runs along the Voueize gorges. For once, I vote for a return trip to enjoy the scenery along the banks twice.

Details

n°1787013
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.33 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 122 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 116 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 447 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 330 m
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Photos

the Voueize
romanesque bridge
the abbey church of Chambon sur Vouèze
The Voueize Gorges (2)

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park in front of the town hall in Chambon-sur-Voueize.

Yellow markings then yellow C4 markings.

(S/E) From the Tourist Office, just behind the town hall (Place Aubergier), take Rue de la Place Aubergier, then turn left onto Rue des Forts. At the end of this street, turn right onto Route de Lépaud. Follow this road for about 200 metres. The river is on your left.

(1) Leave the D917, taking the small road that descends to the left. Follow this road, which first passes in front of an old electricity-producing mill, "le Moulin Girardy", then through abandoned industrial buildings.

(2) The road turns into a path that varies in width depending on the location. This path, which runs through the woods, follows the river and only deviates from it once before quickly rejoining it. Then follow a left-hand bend; continue for about 150 metres and you will find a discreet path starting on the right.

(3) Take this path, which climbs steeply (very steeply). It widens between two meadows.

(4) Leave the farm on your right and continue along the road slightly to the left until you reach the stop sign. Be careful, the D917 is quite busy. Turn right and follow the road for about 600 metres.

(5) Turn onto the first path on the left, which leads to a very small road. Head towards the hamlet of Longeville, whose houses can be seen on the left.

(6) At the first house, continue to the right, following the PR® sign. The path leads to a crossroads with the D41, which you cross towards La Budelière via the D41A2. Stay on this road for 200 metres.

(7) Turn right onto the first path (marked white-red and yellow) and follow it straight ahead to the end.

(8) At the end of the path, cross the road, enter the housing estate and continue straight ahead downhill. The small road turns into a path in a left-hand bend.

(9) Cross the road again and take Grand Rue du Puy. This road turns right and overlooks the abbey church and the roofs of the village. Then take the first left, which will bring you back to Route de Lépaud. Take Rue des Forts to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 331 m - Parking available at the Town Hall and Tourist Office - Abbatiale Sainte Valérie
  2. 1 : km 0.57 - alt. 341 m - Small road on the left - Voueize (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 1.24 - alt. 336 m - Path continuing on from the road
  4. 3 : km 2.76 - alt. 346 m - Steep slope on the right
  5. 4 : km 3.52 - alt. 410 m - Road continuing on from the footpath
  6. 5 : km 4.46 - alt. 416 m - Path on the left
  7. 6 : km 5.2 - alt. 434 m - On the right in the hamlet of Longeville
  8. 7 : km 5.66 - alt. 441 m - On the right, follow the white-red and yellow marked trail
  9. 8 : km 6.9 - alt. 422 m - Opposite, towards the housing estate
  10. 9 : km 7.27 - alt. 394 m - Grande Rue du Puy
  11. S/E : km 8.33 - alt. 331 m - Car park - Tardes (rivière)

Notes

Shops and restaurants in the village

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
mamekiki
mamekiki

thank you!

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Mimosadu23
Mimosadu23

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

On a beautiful sunny day in February, we are alone on the entire route.
The wild and authentic Voueize Valley with its peaceful, mysterious and unspoilt landscapes...
We set off on the departmental road, which was less pleasant as it was very busy (about fifteen vehicles...).
We enjoyed the bench where we could take a break facing the sun, and the descent towards Chambon with its beautiful panoramic views.
We recommend it...

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Gadaud Jean-Pierre
Gadaud Jean-Pierre

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Great route along the Voueize. Unfortunately, the second part of the route is quite ordinary, with some dangerous spots on busy asphalt roads.

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TVdbk
TVdbk

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant route, especially the first part through the woods, with some sections more challenging than others. Then there is a section through the countryside on tarmac paths offering a different but equally interesting setting.
I recommend it!

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CHAPA
CHAPA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike

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mamekiki
mamekiki

Redone not long ago. My friends insisted on doing the circular. I remembered why I like the round trip.

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DaDoRando14
DaDoRando14

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A round trip is a must! Parking is available at the end of the small tarmac road (Moulin Giraudy) opposite some abandoned industrial buildings: the route is then about 4 km long. The Voueiez was almost dry. The ruins of Bluebeard's Castle are barely visible on the other bank, but the walk is pleasant and well shaded.

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Maminouxe
Maminouxe

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A bit too much walking, unfortunately, which meant we stopped at level 3 and turned back. It was a shame there wasn't much water, but it was a pleasant trail through the woods.

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Jean Mignon
Jean Mignon

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

the signage wasn't very good. The hike was fantastic!

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mamekiki
mamekiki

That's kind of you.
Have a good hike.
Mamekiki

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lebayle210554
lebayle210554

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Thank you

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31123004
31123004

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike through the woods along the banks of the Voueize. One section is quite steep, but relatively short. It was hot on the road section, but the arrival at the top through the narrow streets of CHAMBON SUR VOUEIZE is nice.

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VIOT37
VIOT37

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Very pleasant along the riverbank during the first third, the plateau sections that follow are a bit monotonous.
A short hike at the start of the season.
The village and its amenities are very enjoyable.

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dambich
dambich

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk from start to finish
Passages along the Voueize river are superb, as are the Creuse countryside and bocage via little-used paths and roads. And then you arrive in Chambon-sur-Voueize from above, which gives you a magnificent view of the village.
There is one slightly tricky section, in my opinion, which is the 600 metres of tarmac on the D917, which is very busy with vehicles that don't pay much attention to pedestrians

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jeannette vallet
jeannette vallet

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It's true that the return trip through the countryside isn't particularly interesting, but you have to get back somehow! Passing by numerous abandoned industrial buildings makes for a rather sad journey, but luckily the pretty stream soon cheers us up!
It is charming everywhere, and the dead trees lying in its bed make for beautiful photos. Thank you for this pleasant walk.

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