The banks of the Clain and Passelourdin Cave

This circular walk, which starts in front of the Saint-Benoît campsite, takes you along the Clain, past the Passelourdin Cave and across the 1900 Tram viaduct, from which you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Clain Valley.

Details

3952526
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.43 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 180 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 167 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 387 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 240 ft

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Saint-Benoît campsite.

(S/E) As you leave the car park, turn left towards Avenue de Lorch.

(1) Turn sharply left to enter the park and join the path that runs alongside the Clain. Follow the riverbank, pass under the old 1900 tram bridge, then continue straight on until you reach the junction near the water intake station.

(2) Take the path on the left that leads uphill, cross over the railway line and turn left at the Fork in the road that appears shortly afterwards. You’ll reach the gate of the ESAT, a former convent, on your right.

(3) Take the path on the left, which leads onto Avenue des Grottes de Passelourdain, and follow it to the left for a good hundred metres.

(4) Turn right onto Chemin de Piégu.

(5) At the corner of No. 16, turn left onto the path that crosses over Avenue de la Gare and leads to the old Tram 1900 bridge. Cross the bridge and you’ll reach a junction.

(6) Head down to the right to reach a triangular junction. Cross at the pedestrian crossing and continue straight ahead along Avenue de Lorch. Just before the railway line, turn right.

(1) Carry on straight ahead to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 246 ft - Car park at the Saint-Benoît campsite
  2. 1 : mi 0.22 - alt. 240 ft - Park entrance - Clain (rivière)
  3. 2 : mi 1.9 - alt. 279 ft - Water treatment plant
  4. 3 : mi 2.15 - alt. 387 ft - ESAT gate
  5. 4 : mi 2.36 - alt. 371 ft - Piégu Trail
  6. 5 : mi 2.69 - alt. 331 ft - Entrance to the old tram bridge
  7. 6 : mi 3.04 - alt. 312 ft - Head down to the right towards Saint-Benoît
  8. S/E : mi 3.43 - alt. 246 ft - Car park at the Saint-Benoît campsite

Worth a visit

During this walk, you’ll pass through the Jardin de Bayou, a little patch of man-made exoticism.
You will then pass a chain-operated ferry which will take you to the other bank of the Clain, as there is no bridge nearby.
Further along the route, the Passelourdin Cave, hidden by the vegetation.
Finally, there is a 360° view of the Clain valley from the bridge of the old tramway dating from the late 18th century.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
User 8298958

Not done

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Mardelet
Mardelet

The campsite exit, which no longer exists, is not easy to find.
We didn’t see the caves...

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RVV
RVV

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, peaceful walk with no difficulties, along the edge of and over the Clain

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Marianne et Heidi
Marianne et Heidi

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A really lovely walk. It’s worth noting that you cross a bridge between points 5 and 6 (which, incidentally, offers a lovely view of the river), so, contrary to appearances, the paths do not cross between the main circular route from 1 to 2 and the section between 5 and 6...

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RIGAUD FRANCOISE
RIGAUD FRANCOISE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The lack of people on the route was down to the time we’d chosen (1.35 pm) but had nothing to do with the difficulty. It was my first hike using Visorando, but I really appreciated the quality of the information provided – it was very precise. However, I found a car park much closer than the one at the Saint Benoît campsite. Coming from the village of Saint Benoît, it’s just after the bridge on the right.
I’m planning my next hike with Visorando

Thank you very much indeed

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