Brion Bridge and Ébron footbridge

A circular hike to do when the boat is not crossing the lake (out of season) or if you want to take your time crossing the footbridges over two days. See my other hike: Drac footbridge hike.
I do not recommend this hike for people who are afraid of heights or have a phobia of falling!

Details

10498072
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.26 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 10 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 537 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 544 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 814 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 485 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the Parking des Vignes car park in Treffort.

(S/E) From the car park, take the road north, returning to the barriers at the car park entrance/exit, then go down the road slightly to the right to find the castle. Retrace your steps and turn right onto the path above the car park.

(1) Leave the family trail by turning right towards Baraque des Gardes to begin the ascent.

(2) Do not continue straight ahead (tree with yellow cross) and do not miss the path that climbs up the rock on the left. Be careful, mountain bikers can descend very quickly on this small path!

(3) On the left, you will find a rocky outcrop sloping downwards. The more adventurous among you can carefully climb down to enjoy a breathtaking view of the separation between the Drac and the Ébron rivers.

(4) Leave the wide path and take a smaller one that is barely visible in the grass opposite. After a series of descents and ascents, cross a small stream and rejoin a wider path. Please note that this section may be slippery or impassable in bad weather. If this is the case, turn back to rejoin the path and continue along it, then turn left at the first intersection to find your way back onto the trail.

(5) You will come to a track with a private property barrier. Leave it behind and go down the path on the left. A little further on, on your left, you will see an old woman's grave. Keep to the right.

(6) Leave the trail and descend to the left to find a magnificent view of the Ébron footbridge, Pas du Berlioz (collapsed cliff on the left) and Pont de Brion (hidden in the distance among the fir trees). This is an ideal spot for a short break in the shade before continuing the descent.

(7) Cross the road (D 34) with caution to rejoin the path opposite, then rejoin the same road further down on the left to cross the Pont de Brion. Go back up the road and find a new forest path on the left. Follow it straight ahead to reach the footbridge.

(8) Cross the footbridge and take the path opposite, passing in front of the dry toilets.

(9) At an intersection, head towards: Retour Mira via the forest trail, then continue straight ahead, following this marked trail.

(10) When you reach a new signpost, follow the signs for Herbelon to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 498 m - Les Vignes car park - Lac de Monteynard-Avignonet
  2. 1 : km 1.63 - alt. 524 m - Head towards "Baraque des Gardes"
  3. 2 : km 2.1 - alt. 640 m - Mini-passage to climb
  4. 3 : km 2.27 - alt. 666 m - Panoramic view
  5. 4 : km 2.6 - alt. 758 m - Don't miss the mini trail opposite!
  6. 5 : km 4.09 - alt. 784 m - Descent after the private property
  7. 6 : km 4.79 - alt. 658 m - Panoramic view from the Ebron footbridge
  8. 7 : km 5.21 - alt. 566 m - Road - Pont de Brion
  9. 8 : km 6.52 - alt. 498 m - Footbridge over the - Ébron (torrent)
  10. 9 : km 7.52 - alt. 561 m - Return via the Mira forest trail
  11. 10 : km 8.67 - alt. 494 m - Towards Heberlon
  12. S/E : km 9.26 - alt. 499 m - Les Vignes car park

Notes

Parking des Vignes car park in Treffort (fee: €5 on weekends in June 2021)

Worth a visit

  • Herbelon Castle
  • Panoramic views of Lake Monteynard
  • Brion Bridge over the Ébron
  • Ébron footbridge and its panoramic views
  • Diverse vegetation and wildlife (cicadas in June)

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.1 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
User 26876027

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route description was perfect, but we didn't take the path in stage 4 as it was too muddy and wet (plus there were lots of caterpillars), but we followed the usual path and easily found stage 5.
The first part is quite steep, under the trees, which is very pleasant when the sun is warm.
The view of the Pas de Berlioz and the footbridge is breathtaking.
We were alone until we reached the footbridge, after which we came across more people.

Parking price at Les Vignes on a Tuesday in July (3½ hours): £4.50

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Anaïs Ginguay
Anaïs Ginguay
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike in the sunshine, starting with quite a steep climb, but with beautiful views and, above all, not many people (three people maximum at the start) as it is off the beaten track. Make sure you take the right path, sometimes leaving the trails, and follow the markings to take the smaller paths. Completed in 3 hours 20 minutes with breaks. Beautiful view of the lake and a large, pleasant wooded area in hot weather.

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jucha38
jucha38

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Great hike, quite steep at the beginning but doable with my 12- and 16-year-old daughters!
And the views of the lake and its turquoise waters are fantastic.
The hike is mainly through the woods, which must be very pleasant in summer, but made us regret not being able to enjoy the sunshine more, which was very strong at the beginning of November.

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sempervivum
sempervivum

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike done with GPS tracking. Magnificent views of the lake, spectacular footbridge and bridge, pleasant paths despite a steep climb at the beginning. Ideal in autumn to enjoy the colours of the deciduous trees and mushrooms... Very busy from the footbridge to the start.

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LowLow
LowLow

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Please note: if you are parked in the Les Vignes car park (€5 charge), you will need to walk out of the car park and turn left towards the family trail leading to the Ebron footbridge. This hike is suitable for dogs, but they must be kept on a lead before reaching the footbridge and from there onwards (as there are quite a lot of people).

Most of the route is in the shade, except for the start and finish.

The Brion bridge is narrow, with only one lane for vehicles and a small pavement on each side, so please be careful.

The last kilometre along the lake offers the opportunity to go for a swim.

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Chubaka
Chubaka

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, with the added attraction of the two footbridges. Quick return by boat. Very crowded...

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Xavier Bigard
Xavier Bigard

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk, off the beaten track. The return via the footbridge over the Ebron is nice.
Be careful at point 4. If you miss the small path, you will come to a crossroads with four paths. In this case, take the path that turns 90° to the left.

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latropy
latropy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beware of very muddy sections in winter.
Walk with suitable footwear on the south side of the Ebron footbridge.

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