Walk through the hillsides of Castelnau-Magnoac

Date of your route : Aug 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Disappointed with this route. The grassy paths hadn’t been cleared and were overgrown with tall grass, which is ideal for snakes, especially in the height of summer and along the irrigation canal. Luckily, we’d brought the route description and the IGN map from Visorando (essential), which meant we didn’t get lost earlier on; indeed, despite these, we lost the trail of this P.R. towards the end of the route. There were a few refreshing stretches through the undergrowth and a beautiful view of the Pyrenees at a place called ‘Bataille’. However, there were also some rather dangerous crossings of local roads (right in the middle of bends). You also give names to the various paths to take, but these are not signposted on the ground.

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Date of your route : Jan 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk on a sunny day. Keep an eye out for the signposting, which can be a bit patchy in places. I agree that the full circuit of the lake should be included; it’s a shame to miss it.
The final return stretch along the tarmac road requires particular care, especially when travelling in a group (wearing a high-visibility vest is recommended).

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Date of your route : Mar 31, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The official route, marked in yellow, goes round the lake, which is one of the highlights of the walk. It might be a good idea to adjust your route to include a walk round the lake.
After point 1, on the descent towards the lake, there is a fork in the path leading to two routes, and I chose the wrong one to the left.
This section is very poorly maintained; I had to crawl under tree trunks to get through.
At point 4, I found myself on a private track, thinking that the crossing over the canal would be further on. I quickly realised my mistake thanks to the GPS deviation.
I can confirm that the signposting is inconsistent, and some sections of the route are poorly maintained.
Nevertheless, the walk is very beautiful, especially along the canal, which provides a relaxing and refreshing element.
Castelnau square also boasts some beautiful architecture.
As for the duration, allow a leisurely 2½ hours, not 3 hours 45 minutes; the route description needs correcting.

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Date of your route : Feb 08, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route we’d already done.
On the other hand, the signposting is a bit of a mess...

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Date of your route : Aug 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, easy walk, undertaken in the heat but featuring plenty of shaded sections (allow 4 hours for the full loop around the lake from the start). Older markings alternate with more recent ones, some of which are rather crudely painted on. A lovely break in Organ under the chestnut trees, with a picnic table and a fountain. Take care on the return journey along the main road. Cheers everyone!

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Date of your route : Dec 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely short walk of between 11 and 14 km (if you walk around the lake at the start).

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Date of your route : Nov 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The signposting along the route isn’t always clear, especially in the second half of the walk, but there’s no risk of getting lost in this area.
Otherwise, it’s a pleasant walk, particularly in the first section between the lake and the canal, with lovely views of the surrounding countryside and probably the Pyrenees (which we didn’t see due to poor weather).
The circular walk took 3 hours, not including breaks.

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