On the paths of the women of the earth, starting from Viala du Dourdou.

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In the heart of the Rougier, the village of Viala du Dourdou, in a dominant position, offers easy hiking and surprising views in the Grands Causses Regional Natural Park.

Details

n°1687833
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.95 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 199 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 206 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 522 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 337 m
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Description of the walk

Park in the car park of the town hall in the village of Viala du Dourdou.

(S/E) Follow the D632 for about 100 metres and, just after the town hall, turn right onto the road that climbs up the hairpin bend.

(1) At the reservoir, leave the road and take a grassy path on the right. Cross a ravine and leave a path on the right. Climb up to join the road leading to La Combe.

(2) At the crossroads, take the path heading south towards Mas Viala. After the farmhouse, continue in the same direction and, after about 100 metres, turn left. Follow the track, which curves sharply to the right and then climbs towards the ridge.

(3) At the intersection of tracks, turn right onto a shaded path on the hillside which, after 550m, joins another track offering a beautiful view of the Gos valley. Take the hairpin bend to the left and gradually descend towards the D632.

(4) After crossing the road, take the path opposite that climbs southwards.

(5) At the junction with a small road, take this road on the left for about 600 metres. Just before La Borie du Boyer, follow the path on the left that descends towards the valley while enjoying the panoramic view.

(6) Pass close to Le Cagné and, after a hairpin bend, leave the path descending towards the Maxillou stream on your right and continue north-west on the road to the village (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 357 m - Calmels-et-le-Viala Town Hall car park
  2. 1 : km 0.17 - alt. 374 m - Chemin de la Combe
  3. 2 : km 0.94 - alt. 429 m - Carrefour de la Combe
  4. 3 : km 1.87 - alt. 484 m - Crossroads
  5. 4 : km 3.16 - alt. 485 m - Crossing the D632
  6. 5 : km 3.5 - alt. 517 m - Track-road intersection
  7. 6 : km 4.97 - alt. 388 m - Mas du Cagné
  8. S/E : km 6.95 - alt. 359 m - Calmels-et-le-Viala Town Hall car park

Notes

Who are these women of the land? They raised their often numerous children, baked bread in the ovens still visible in the village, and worked the sloping fields. They took care of the farmyard and ran the farm when their husbands were no longer there. They passed on ancestral skills (charcuterie, gardening, gathering plants for medicinal purposes). They were the heart of parish life and ensured that everyone got along well. We remember Madame Carrière at Mas Viala, Rosa at La Borie de Boyer, Marie at Le Cagné, Denise, Marthe, "La Vayssettoune" and "La Durante" at Le Viala. A nod to all these women.

Opposite the church, you will find a drinking water tap near the viewpoint overlooking the Dourdou (available in summer) and toilets in the entrance to the town hall with a water supply available all year round.
Below the town hall, the communal terrace of the Maison du Dourdou can be used as a shelter, and another water point is available in temperate seasons. Beautiful view of the Maxillou and Dourdou valleys with the Romanesque chapel of Calmels in the distance.

Worth a visit

When you arrive at Mas Viala, don't hesitate to stop at the "charcuteries de ma grand-mère" shop, which sells products made by the Bouissou family.

At the highest point of La Tude, take the time to admire the views towards the Gos valley.
Near Borie de Boyer, you will overlook the Maxillou valley and you may be able to see the mares on the opposite slope whose milk is used to make "équiderma" cosmetics at the Combe de Roqueblanque farm.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
zouillelesac
zouillelesac

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with beautiful views!

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feral
feral

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful country walk through rolling countryside with a mix of woods and meadows. Lovely views. The trail passes farms and hamlets. Signposting is discreet, sometimes a little too much so. Peace and quiet and green surroundings. Avoid rainy days.

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Rando5934
Rando5934
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 08, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Small tree-lined paths, wide open spaces and superb views in fine weather. And at the end of the walk, pick some wild fruit to refresh yourself! Pure bliss.

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ratop
ratop

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 17, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy hike, beautiful views from above and a largely shaded route, which is particularly welcome in July.

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Paleorandonneur
Paleorandonneur

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Please note that after rain, the ground can sometimes be muddy!

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genevieve brumarty
genevieve brumarty

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 07, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Shaded route, interesting views of the landscape, exceptional flora in early June.

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