Around the Combe Saint-Martin

An easy hike offering stunning views over the villages of Sallèles-Cabardès, Villegly, Villalier, Malves-Minervois, Boulhonnac, etc.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.84 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 118 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 126 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 276 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 160 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Villegly (11600)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.29434° / E 2.426057°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2345E
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

From Villegly, take the Chemin de Barrière to reach the car park next to the reservoir on the Ruisseau de la Ceize.

(S/E) From the car park, head due north until, after 150m, you reach a path that slopes north-west. Follow this path straight on until you reach a track that descends to the right (after about 350m).
After about 200m, a path branches off to the left. Take this to reach a junction of paths. Cross over to the opposite side and head up a wide forest track. Take this track to the right to follow a bend to the left. Cross the Ceize via a bridge rebuilt after the floods of late 2018. Continue along this track. After a bend offering a view of the La Villatade estate on the left, across the river, take a rough path climbing up to the right.

(1) After about 100m, take the path on the left and climb until you come out into a vineyard.
Go round the vineyard to the right, walking anti-clockwise.

(2) Before the stone hut, take the path on the right uphill to join the farm track above. Walk for about 50 metres and take the path branching off to the left.

(3) When you reach a fork, turn right onto the path (follow the ‘yellow line’ markings). You’ll come out onto a forest track; pass under the high-voltage power line. Continue straight ahead and stay on this track, leaving the hairpin bend to your left.

(4) The track splits in two; take the left-hand branch. After about 450m, the track begins to curve to the left.

(5) Before this bend, leave the forest track and take the path leading down to the right. The path takes you to the reservoir on the Ceize. You then need to cross the dam carefully to reach the correct side of the stream and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 178 m - Car park at the artificial lake on the Ceize
  2. 1 : km 1.87 - alt. 196 m - Turn left at the fork
  3. 2 : km 2.33 - alt. 236 m - Before the stone hut, take the path on the right
  4. 3 : km 2.61 - alt. 267 m - Turn right onto the path
  5. 4 : km 3.71 - alt. 229 m - Turn left at the fork
  6. 5 : km 4.18 - alt. 209 m - Path on the right
  7. S/E : km 4.84 - alt. 178 m - Car park at the artificial lake on the Ceize

Notes

Please note that the dam is high. You cross it by walking along the width of the structure, which has no guardrails, with a stream flowing in the middle that you must step over. Whilst this does not present any major difficulties, some people may find it daunting. I recommend taking a look at the dam before setting off on the hike and assessing what each person is capable of. Other hikes on Visorando start from the same car park and may be more suitable for those who find this one daunting.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
ScarabuS
ScarabuS

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Enjoy your walk

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jp11
jp11

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

First, head to the start point to check whether water is flowing over the dyke crossing. This year there are no problems as the water level is more than 2 metres below the normal low-water mark. If water is flowing, particularly in spring, it is not advisable to cross the dyke. You must continue past point (5), straight on until you see the access road or the Saint Martin housing estate on your right.
There’s a major problem between points 1 and 2. Note that you must turn left after 100 metres, then further on to the right onto a barely visible path to reach the vineyard, which is invisible from below. When we went there, there was a hunt in progress and we didn’t feel very safe. In this case, tell the first hunter you meet to warn the others by phone and wear orange or red clothing.

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angeharu
angeharu

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk, though not particularly easy to follow with just the markings on the path; luckily, there’s a hiking app. Lovely views, opportunities for a swim, a bite to eat and soaking up the sun; in hot weather, watch out for ticks.

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condamine
condamine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, very pleasant walk. Beautiful views.
We’ll do it again.
A lovely spot for a picnic by the reservoir.
Thank you for this walk

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napi11
napi11

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A brilliant, fairly easy hike with stunning views and a magnificent finish by the lake
You don’t expect scenery like this
Excellent description

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JEUDIPROM11
JEUDIPROM11

Around La Combe St Martin: I’ll say it again: of all the walks you’ve suggested to me (and for which I’m gathering information), I’m not doing any of them myself – at least not for the time being. I submit them to a small group that hikes on a very modest scale, and they’ve asked me to put together a programme based on their criteria (the first being proximity to Carcassonne, then the duration, from 1 to 2 hours, and the elevation gain).
For the time being, I haven’t received any feedback.
Naturally, when I do, I’ll keep you informed.
Thanks again for your information. Best regards, Patrick Oustric.

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Peter Elliott
Peter Elliott

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

An easy walk along a good path around the valley. Typical Minervois heath. A pretty reservoir.

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JEUDIPROM11
JEUDIPROM11

No reviews for the Combe St Martin hike. I’ve looked at the description (along with others in the same area) with a view to future outings. I haven’t been there yet. To be continued............
Best regards.

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