Choose your activity in the Gorges du Tarn
Do you dream of a vacation where the serenity of nature blends with the adrenalin of outdoor sports? Les Calquières, your campsite in Aveyron, is the ideal gateway to a pleasant discovery: the Tarn gorges. You’ll be staying in the heart of an area dotted with nature sports and full of character. Don’t wait any longer to plan your family vacation near this canyon! Get ready to discover the wealth of activities in the Gorges du Tarn!
The Tarn gorges, a marvel shaped by nature
Between Lozère and Aveyron, the Tarn River has patiently carved out a canyon over 50 kilometers long, creating Europe’s longest karstic gorges. This titanic work, which dates back 20 million years to the limestone sediments of the Jurassic era, has given rise to a landscape unique in France, made up of cliffs and rock formations in a variety of shapes. Situated on the edge of the Grands Causses regional nature park, this canyon is the perfect way to discoverthe Causses and Cévennes region, a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you look up at the cliffs, you may catch a glimpse of vultures soaring in the sky. The Tarn itself is home to unsuspected wildlife, with the successful reintroduction of the beaver. The heart of the Gorges du Tarn is dotted with characterful villages such as La Malène and Sainte-Énimie.
Canoeing and kayaking: another way to experience the Tarn gorges
Canoeing in the Gorges du Tarn is undoubtedly the most popular activity for all ages. Are you coming with your family or friends? Spend a day on the water. You can opt for :
a trip on a traditional boat with the Malène boatmen. This 8 km trip, which can be completed in an hour, will take you effortlessly through the heart of the gorges.
rent a canoe or kayak: hire your equipment from Aigue Vive (route des gorges du Tarn, Saint-Pal, 12720 Mostuéjouls) and choose one of their courses: a 7 km Discovery course for families with children (2 hr descent), an 11 km Emotion course reserved for sports enthusiasts (3 hr descent) or an 18 km Adventure course, ideal for those with experience and stamina.
Hiking in the Tarn gorges: an adventure on foot
If you’re a keen walker, there’s a whole host of trails in the Gorges du Tarn. You can take the riverside paths, ideal for a refreshing stroll, or take to the cornice paths for breathtaking views over the valley, for a weekend in Aveyron.
- Troglodyte villages: discoverÉglazines and Saint-Marcellin, places from another time, accessible only on foot.
- Starting point: Liaucous, 28 km from our campsite.
- Distance: 14 km
- Average time: 5 h
- Ascent: +800 m
- The climb to Roc des Hourtous rewards you with a breathtaking panorama of the cirque des Baumes.
- Starting point: the village of La Malène, 34 km from our campsite.
- Distance: 9 km
- Average time: 4 h
- Ascent: +568m
Thrill-seeking activities: for unforgettable memories
Are you an adventurer in search of adrenalin? There’s no shortage of activities in the Gorges du Tarn. You’ll find an exceptional playground for nature sports.
The Liaucous via ferrata, at the entrance to the gorges, is an aerial course combining rope walking, monkey bridges and zip lines. Choose between two intersecting routes: an easy one for beginners and a more physical one for the more athletic. It’s a unique experience to cling to the cliff while admiring spectacular views. Starting point: Liaucous parking lot. Average duration: 3 h. Minimum age: 10 years
Bungee jumping: plunge into the void from one of France’s most famous spots, a 107-meter-high bungee jump located on a cliff in the heart of the gorges. This experience is supervised by professionals like those atElastic Natural Bungee (Le cirque des baumes, 48210 La Malène, France).
Canyoning: combine aquatic trekking, jumps and slides in natural toboggans. Canyoning, a nature sport par excellence, invites you to follow the riverbeds. Near Millau, you can discover the Dourbie canyon, or opt for the Tapoul canyon in the Cévennes, renowned for its abseiling and zip lines.
Caving: a plunge into the underground world
Considered the cradle of modern caving, the region is a veritable labyrinth of caves and avens, a well-kept secret of the Causses. Caving is an activity for all ages, with qualified instructors to guide you underground. Near the village of Sainte-Énimie, you can discover caves of all shapes and sizes:
La grotte des Dinos (40 €/pers half-day) is ideal for families with young children (from 5 years old). It’s a 2h30 discovery where you can see fossilized dinosaur footprints.
L’Aven des Corneilles (45 €/pers half-day) is a challenge for top sportsmen and women, combining walking, climbing and descending! In just 3 hours, you’ll discover chambers adorned with thousand-year-old stalactites and stalagmites. It’s a different way of discovering the other side of this territory, far from the sun and the light.
The heart of the Gorges du Tarn, with its varied activities, is an unrivalled playground. Are you a canoeing or kayaking enthusiast? A hiking enthusiast? An adrenalin-seeker? You’ll find the route that’s right for you. After a day full of emotions, you’ll appreciate the comfort and conviviality of our campsite near the Gorges du Tarn. Don’t miss this opportunity for an unforgettable nature experience. Make your reservation now!