Around the Magnolias, starting from Fontenilles

Park in the car park at the Fontenilles sports ground.

(S/E) Pass the sports centre on your right and the sports pitches on your left, then take the dirt track between the two sections of the Espèche industrial estate.

(1) At the end of the straight stretch, continue along the path, turning left. The path no longer runs alongside the industrial estate but now runs alongside the Magnolias housing estate.

(2) At the end of this second straight stretch, do not cross the bridge but turn right onto the path that leads into the woodland.
Head uphill through the woods, staying on the path as the woodland is private. Make sure you stay between the boundary fences.
As you emerge from the woods, the path continues to the left and follows the edge of the woodland to the highest point of the walk (elevation 283). Superb view over the village of Lias and its hamlets, as well as the Fontenilles plain. A stop is recommended.

Head down to the left, continuing to follow the boundary path between the Gers and Haute-Garonne departments. Another viewpoint, this time over the village of Bonrepos-sur-Aussonnelle with the Pyrenees in the distance. Continue downhill to a crossroads where the path on the right enters a private property, La Miraclette, which keeps sheep.

(3) Ignore the path straight ahead which descends towards Lias and turn left onto the path leading down to Bonrepos. The path is made of broken bricks and tiles. Continue to the junction with tarmac roads.

(4) Turn left onto Chemin de Mondou, which becomes Chemin Garrousset as you cross into another municipality. Continue along this road, which is normally closed to traffic, until you reach the start of the hamlet of Taillade.

(5) Before you reach the first houses, turn left onto the dirt track that links up with the Magnolias housing estate.

(6) Cross the path that goes round the housing estate and head towards the lake. Start walking round the lake, beginning on the left-hand side. The path follows the lakeshore before returning to the start of the walk.

(6) Turn left onto the path that goes round Les Magnolias. At the end of the path, cross Avenue des Magnolias with care.

(7) Leave the residential estate behind you and take the path on the right which runs parallel to the ring road. Ignore the path on the right which passes under the ring road and walk past the indoor tennis courts; rejoin the old Lias road, go round the rugby pitch and arrive at the car park (S/E).

There are no water points along the route.
On the climb through the Bois des Magnolias, walking poles may come in handy.

Stunning views of the ridges on the border between the Gers and Haute-Garonne.

(6) The walk round the lake is very pleasant.