The best gravel rides around Viala-Du-Tarn

In the heart of Creissels, the Pesquié basin forms a surprisingly vast body of water (1,000 m²) compared to the modest stream that feeds it. Its name, which comes from Occitan and means "fish pond", recalls the ancient purpose of the place, linked to fish farming. The town hall now occupies the premises of a former fish farm. The basin is fed by the Creissels waterfall, a typical resurgence of the karst functioning of the Larzac: the water infiltrated into the limestones of the plateau reappears after an underground journey. In September 2023, the municipality dredged the basin and created a spawning ground for brown trout (Salmo trutta). The restoration has borne fruit, as trout have since recolonized the body of water, alongside amphibians and other aquatic organisms that find refuge in the surrounding wetland.

This place is the starting point of the Voie Verte which runs along the Tarn and leads to Creissels. You can discover the troglodytic village of Peyre in particular, a very pleasant forest section which, in places, forms a real green tunnel. Further on, you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Millau Viaduct.

From the Larzac plateau, the Brunas site offers a vast panorama of the Millau valley. Stretched between the two banks of the Tarn, the viaduct with its seven concrete piers appears in its entirety. Behind it unfolds the entire causse Rouge, a large limestone plateau whose undulations dominate the valley. Then, the Puech d’Andan is distinguished by its wooded silhouette, cut in two by a clear central notch. Further to the right stands the Pouncho d'Agast, a pyramidal promontory marking the beginning of the causse Noir at an altitude of 841 m. Brunas is also a true site for free flight. The take-off area is located directly on the plateau; the site is mainly used with a north wind and allows paragliders to take off and then land in the vicinity of the same sector, with approximately 370 m of elevation difference down to the valley. The spectacle of the sails evolving in front of the viaduct adds a particular dimension to this panorama.

Isolated in the middle of the open landscapes of the Larzac, the fortified farm of Brouzes is a remarkable testimony to medieval rural architecture. The complex, whose construction began in 1491, is organized in a rectangle around three courtyards. It was later remodeled, notably in 1628, then in the 18th century. Behind its appearance as a large farm lies a true defensive architecture: the buildings are largely vaulted, a stable has loopholes, two towers reinforce the south side, and a dovecote tower as well as an old bread oven complete the complex. The farm nevertheless experienced a long period of abandonment. Uninhabited from 1922 to 1970, it was progressively looted and severely degraded. In the 1970s, an artist couple, Élisabeth and Claude Baillon, bought it and began its restoration. Their intervention largely contributed to saving the complex, which was finally classified as a historic monument in 1990.

Perched at an altitude of about 730 meters, the Cap de Coste viewpoint overlooks the eastern end of the Boundoulaou cirque. It reveals a vast panorama of the Millau basin and its surrounding massifs. To the left, the easily recognizable Millau Viaduct spans the Tarn valley to connect the Larzac to the Causse Rouge. Further to the right stretches the latter: a large limestone plateau whose undulations dominate the valley. Then, the Puech d’Andan stands out with its wooded silhouette, cut in two by a clear central notch. Finally, further away, the Pouncho d’Agast, an emblematic relief of the Causse Noir, is easily recognized by its profile like a true limestone pyramid.

Perché at an altitude of approximately 730 meters, the Cap de Coste viewpoint overlooks the eastern end of the Boundoulaou cirque. It reveals a vast panorama of the Millau basin and its surrounding massifs. To the left, the easily recognizable Millau Viaduct spans the Tarn valley, connecting the Larzac to the Causse Rouge. Further to the right stretches the latter: a large limestone plateau whose undulations dominate the valley. Then, the Puech d’Andan stands out with its wooded silhouette, cut in two by a clear central notch. Finally, further away, the Pouncho d’Agast, an emblematic relief of the Causse Noir, is easily recognized by its profile like a true limestone pyramid.

From this switchback on the road to Labro, the Larzac plateau suddenly opens up to reveal the spectacular cirque of Saint-Geniez-de-Bertrand. This has been progressively formed by the erosion of the limestone series that make up the Larzac. The water, by infiltrating the fractures in the limestone, gradually dissolves the rock and circulates at depth before emerging at the foot of the slopes. This underground action, associated with runoff and valley erosion, causes a progressive retreat of the cliffs and slopes: this is the phenomenon of regressive erosion. Over time, the limestone reliefs recede towards the interior of the plateau and a vast indentation forms, giving birth to the cirque.

This section of the greenway follows a narrow and shaded path, where dense vegetation forms a real green tunnel in places. The natural surface is particularly pleasant to ride on. These wooded sections alternate with a few openings, which allow you to reconnect with the Tarn river and, further on, the Millau viaduct.