Trail d'Aqui - Rodelle
36 km - D+ 1000m - *** - 16 % road - 34 % wide path - 50 % Monotrace - 100 % happiness ! Run when you want to... Run with whoever you want to... Run while being guided... Run in total freedom!
The start is in Bezonnes, a magnificent Causse village. The first 12 kilometers are an appetizer - it's almost all flat! You'll discover the village, a field full of curiosities (buried house, sundial, caselle and lavogne?), the surroundings of Bezonnes and its narrow lanes, the causse of Lagnac before reaching Maymac, at the gateway to the Dourdou valley.
This is where things get serious. An old paved road takes you to Rodelle, one of Aveyron?s most beautiful villages. The tour around the rocky outcrop is more technical than it looks, so watch your ankles.
Then it's on to the Dourdou river and its refreshingly watery passages! Small monotraces in the boxwood bring you back above the Moulin du Saout waterfall. The climb back up to Sévinhac is fairly long, but it's a good run!
A little respite before heading towards the grottes des douze and their springs. It's wild, it's a change of scenery, it's fresh!
Les Escabrins, a dead-end village where only paths lead away. Nice technical descent on the Dourdou, tufa waterfall, buissière, it's all there!
At the Prades bridge, no time to recuperate, it's straight back up to St Julien. The view over the valley is magical: if you squint hard enough, you can even see Rodelle!
With St Julien in sight, you'll be able to roll out your stride on the flat! After the Lamayou farm, you head straight for Rivaldières between fields and 1km of beautiful, stony descent? Watch out!
Rivaldières and its mysteries: cross the Dourdou on the footbridge and head for Barriac, the last big bump.
For 700m, you follow the same signs as the Bozouls circuit. Turn right at the dividing sign.
La Graillerie, is the climb over? Almost. A steep incline finally brings you to Barriac and its network of monotraces.
The last 6 kilometers are not exceptional on paper, but will finish off your thighs! Carnus, the old quarry, Lédénac and the famous last descent of the EkipTrail de Rodelle and the Vagues Nocturnes du Dourdou take you straight to the finish, next to the bull!
Phew!
