Randonnée - Peyroles et le Port de la Besse
The roughness of the Liort and Lézert valleys contrasts with the gentleness of the Viaur valley. Route 32 in the "Entre Aveyron et Viaur" guidebook (2021 edition)
Distance: 27.2 km - Elevation gain: 988 m - Duration: 9:00
Parking: In Puechmontard, walk along the frog pond and park 50 m further on the wide shoulder
Yellow trail markers
The rugged terrain of the Liort and L’Ézert valleys contrasts with the gentle landscape of the Viaur Valley. Along the way: Peyroles Castle, Port de la Besse, the banks of the Viaur, and La Roque recreation area.
Route 32 from the guidebook “Between Aveyron and Viaur in the Rieupeyrousain Region” (long route—2021 edition)
Take the paved road on the left. As you leave the hamlet, turn off the road onto the wide dirt path straight ahead. Cross the D649 and continue on the same path. Follow the forest trail, cross the stream, climb uphill, and join the D609. Turn left onto it toward La Salvetat.
At Les Fourques, 400 meters further on, take the grassy path to the right toward La Faboulie (signpost). Cross the D905 and continue straight ahead to the hamlet of La Faboulie, where you’ll stay on the right side until you reach the end of the hamlet. You’ll then find the trail (signpost) that descends southeastward through chestnut groves and then heather fields to Le Liort. Follow the river on the right bank along the trail until you reach the road.
Walk up this road to the right for 300 meters, then take the second wide path on the left down to the signpost, where you’ll turn left toward Peyroles Castle and the ruins of the old village. Do not venture near the castle, as the risk of falling is very high. The maintained trail descends to the right as you face the castle.
Continue along this rugged trail through the Liort ravines, which leads to an old farm road that connects to the D905; follow it down to the left. Pass the intersection with the D226 and continue down the D905 until you reach a signpost; the trail will then be on your left. It descends through the woods to the D226, which you’ll take to the right. Cross the bridge over the L%E9zert and continue on the D226 as it climbs. About 50 meters after a hairpin turn to the left, take the trail on the right that climbs through the woods to the Clapas campground.
Once you reach Clapas on the plateau, take the farm road on the right that descends back to the L%E9zert. Once you reach the L%E9zert (swimming allowed), follow the shaded dirt path to the left that runs alongside the stream until you reach another tributary. Cross it at the ford. Climb up a fairly steep path to the intersection (signpost). Then take the wide path on the right that descends back to the L%E9zert and follow the stream to the bridge.
Cross the bridge over the L%E9zert and turn %E0 left onto the D905. Just before the bridge over the Viaur, turn %E0 right at the corner of the inn and continue straight ahead on the path that climbs to the right. Follow the Viaur downstream, always staying on the path closest to the river. About 3 km past the bridge (signpost), there is an option to shorten the route by 2.1 km. (Alternative route: see Peyroles and Port de la Besse (alternative route).
Continue down the Viaur River. When you reach a fork, take the paved road that goes up across the way. Turn left in the hamlet of Bellecombe to go down the road. Ignore the bridge over the Viaur and continue on the paved road (restrooms, picnic area, and swimming at the Aire de La Roque 150 m past the bridge).
Pass the rest area and continue along the road, passing La Roque, Le Coulet (at the pass), and then the Roumégous Bridge (where the Jaoul and Vernhou streams meet). About 100 m after this bridge, turn right onto the submerged bridge. Follow the wide trail that leads to the hamlet of Muratet.
Then head up the steep, rocky, winding trail on the left to the La Boutique farm and continue 500 meters along a wide, wooded trail to the meadows.
Turn left ahead, then 50 meters further on, turn left again onto a narrow trail that plunges into the woods. This trail winds through the woods and along hillsides, crossing several small ravines—a steep, tricky section.
About 2.2 km further on, turn right (signpost) to head back up toward Puechmontard (you can first walk an additional 60 meters for a magnificent view of the Château de Roumégous before returning). You’ll return to the parking lot by continuing straight through the hamlet.
Along the way: Peyroles Castle, Port de la Besse, the banks of the Viaur River, and La Roque recreation area.
Hiking guides are available for purchase at the tourist office, featuring route details, information on places to visit, and some historical anecdotes.
Find all our trails on your smartphone with the Cirkwi app, or with a GPX reader (e.g., GPX Viewer): https://www.cirkwi.com/fr/circuit/745338-peyroles-et-le-port-de-la-besse
