Walk to discover the flamingos in Mireval

This is an easy walk through the Mireval salt marshes, where you can discover all kinds of animal species, including the region's famous pink flamingos.
(Please note that the section between (2) and (3) is closed between 1 April and 15 August each year to allow birds to nest. During this period, dogs must be kept on a leash throughout the site.)

Details

1539577
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.83 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Mireval (34110)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.509198° / E 3.822726°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2743ET
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

The hike starts directly from the convenient car park where you can park along the D116.

(S/E) Head down the path behind the wooden barrier, which prevents vehicles from entering.
Admire the large expanse of water on your right. The small houses are actually bird shelters.

(1) When you reach this small lock, turn left onto the path that goes around the salt marshes. You can admire the birds fishing on the water. At the three forks in the path, take the right fork.

(2) Here, the vegetation is wilder and if you remain silent, you will be able to see all kinds of small birds on the water. Continue along this path and admire the flamingos. At the fork, turn right.

(3) At the next fork, follow the straight path to the right.

(4) It's time for a short break as you arrive at the wildlife protection house. If the house is open, you can chat with enthusiastic locals and read the signs describing the different animal species you have encountered. Then continue on your way to the right, following the canal.

(1) Here is the lock you passed at the start of your walk. This time, go straight ahead for 1 km in the opposite direction to the path you took at the start. However, you will see that it is worth seeing from this angle. Return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1 m - Salins car park
  2. 1 : km 1.36 - alt. 0 m - Lock
  3. 2 : km 3.05 - alt. 1 m - Along the Salins
  4. 3 : km 4.28 - alt. 2 m - Straight ahead on the right
  5. 4 : km 4.92 - alt. 1 m - On the right, continue along Les Salins.
  6. S/E : km 7.83 - alt. 1 m - Salins car park

Notes

Please note! From 1 April to 15 August, access to the marshes is restricted to protect nesting birds. You will therefore not be able to complete this hike in its entirety. Plan an alternative route from point (2) to point (3) by turning left a few metres before point (2).

In case of rain or after rain, wear good shoes as the paths may be quite muddy in places.
Also, in summer, remember to bring mosquito repellent!

This route passes through multiple protected areas, which may be subject to special regulations:

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 62 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 28533153

It would have been wonderful!!! But the hiking trail was a river! It has been raining in southern France since December. Everything is flooded. But next time, this hike will be at the top of my list😊 Ursula Beutel February 2026

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CN66
CN66

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely two-hour walk in the sunshine. Perfect for getting into shape.
No difficulty

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User 27978993

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful route, exotic and wild.
However, only the yellow PR markings are visible. There are no red markings, except on the signs, which would be more useful if they were placed at intersections. But anyway, we turned back at the next sign (the one for the blue route) and found our way again.
On the other hand, it's a shame that we had to put up with the noise pollution from the motor racing route (we did the hike on a Saturday).

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User 9101728

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A delightful walk among the ponds to discover the local wildlife. The route is very well marked and perfect for the whole family.

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User 5896846
• Edited:

It's a real shame that the red markings chosen for the salt workers' trail were nowhere to be found along the route...It was impossible to get voice directions on the app...I suppose you have to pay for that.
It's a shame... there really aren't many birds... and a lot of dry land...

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Ninougard
Ninougard

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route for seeing flamingos. No particular difficulty, but follow the GPS route carefully as several other routes cross it. Car park available. Little or no shade. Worth doing at different times of year to see different colours and full ponds.

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jeanine terral
jeanine terral

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy hike. There are large puddles in some places, so avoid after rain.
Magnificent landscapes. Very peaceful. What a pleasure to walk among multitudes of birds without disturbing them. Very rejuvenating.

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JLCHZ
JLCHZ
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It allowed me to discover a beautiful place near my home that I didn't know about. Ideal for walking with young children.

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Christian3856
Christian3856

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy walk around the ponds. We saw flamingos and other birds. The path is well marked. A little muddy at the end due to the previous day's storms.

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georgevelyne@gmail ;com
georgevelyne@gmail ;com

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, very easy hike for the whole family, where we saw lots of flamingos.
Highly recommended.

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Blond
Blond

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Great walk lasting around 2 hours 👍
Highly recommended.

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Bonnoda
Bonnoda

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Always a beautiful route lasting over two hours. Easy, peaceful and relaxing, surrounded by flamingos and other wild birds. Highly recommended if you're in the area. 👍👍

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ChantalAuvray
ChantalAuvray

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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degu
degu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very easy and enjoyable hike. Lots of information about the beautiful flora and fauna, suitable for all abilities.

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Chlebegue
Chlebegue

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Good evening. There were a lot of people on the route last Sunday, but everyone was respectful, so it was quite pleasant.
One small caveat at the start: make sure you take the right path and not the one that heads towards the salt marsh.
Very accessible with young children and teenagers who aren't very keen on walking.
Thank you

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