Randonnée à Villefranche de Rouergue : Le sentier des Sources
A valley rich in abundant springs, at the confluence of two rivers, the Aveyron and the Alzou, surrounded by hills, this site seduced the builders to establish the royal bastide of Villefranche as early as 1252.
Distance: 13.5 km
Duration: 4h30
Beaconing: yellow or white-red (GR)
Difference in height: 330 m
Practice
Access: Villefranche de Rouergue 58 km west of Rodez
Departure: Tourist Office, Guiraudet walk
To discover: the Bastide Royale de Villefranche de Rouergue (free visit with the map "Let yourself be told" or paying guided or audio-guided tour, the Chartreuse Saint Sauveur, former monastery (paying visit), the Chapel of the Black Penitents (paying visit), the market of local producers (every Thursday morning all year round)
Information: Tourist Office of Villefranche de Rouergue 05 65 45 13 18
Paper sheet available free of charge at the Tourist Office of Villefranche de Rouergue
Itinerary :
1-Rejoin the Tourist Office, promenade du Guiraudet. Cross the Pont Neuf. Cross the Place de la République diagonally and take the Rue du Jeu de Paume and, opposite, climb the Côte pavée. At the junction, turn left and, still on the left, continue on the D 911.
2- After the first bend, turn right on a track leading to Combesalès. Continue, on the left, on the road. (Leaving, on the right, the castle of Garriguet -XVII° century-). At the crossroads, continue straight on a track leading to Aux Granges.
3 -Take the D 71 on the left, then follow the D 911 on the right for 200 m, in the direction of Rieupeyroux. Cross the road and take the old chemin du Piaulet (not very visible at the start). In the hamlet of Puech-Loup, go up to the right, the small road to the D 911. Before reaching it, turn left on a path which crosses the sources of the Ritard and goes up to the hamlet of Compans.
4-Cross the hamlet, then continue, on the right, on a wide track. After an S-shaped bend on a steep slope, turn left. Cross a small brook then cross the hamlet of Combenègre.
5-At the exit of the hamlet, turn right (yellow markings). Cross the bridge over the Ritard. At Doumayrenc, leave the road and take, on the right, a path between a cross and a small basin. Go down, through woods and heather, to the pumice station of La Gasse sur l'Aveyron. Continue to the bridge.
6-Stay on the left bank, taking the Route de la Baume up to the Pont des Consuls.
Topoguide of 25 hikes on sale at the West Aveyron Tourist Office or on the online shop : https://boutique.tourisme-villefranche-najac.com/boutique/fr/nos-produits/guides_BQ.php
