Circular route starting from Mauzac

A superb circular route following theGR®®861, which runs alongside the Garonne for half the route, offering beautiful views. Please note, however, that there are a few challenging sections.
I recommend doing this walk in dry weather.

Warning:
(10) Due to rockfalls, the route is currently impassable. Plan to return to Notre-Dame de l'Aouach Church (8) then follow the road to (3) and take the reverse route of the outward journey.

Details

59280347
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.79 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 265 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 266 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 286 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 162 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Mauzac (31410)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.376483° / E 1.293049°
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

Park in the car park on the banks of the Garonne: to get there, take Rue du Colonel Carrière in Mauzac.
(S/E) Take the path at the barrier; this is theGR®®861marked in white and red, then follow the right bank of the Garonne. Pass by the sewage treatment plant and you will come to a crossroads of paths.

(1) Turn right into the woods, leaving them quickly to climb up to the hamlet of La Bâche.

(2) Turn left onto the D53e; at the various junctions, stay on the GR®®. Pass close to the hamlet of Malba. Then turn left to reach a T-junction before the hamlet of Soulentis.

(3) Turn right, walk along Borde Haute, staying on theGR®® to reach the junction with the Mandement road.

(4) Head down to the left until you reach the Chapel of Saint-Amans. Continue on and you will soon come to a crossroads of paths at the entrance to Le Pontil.

(5) Leave theGR®® here, turn left onto the path to reach the right bank of the Garonne. Follow the riverbank, first along a road and then along the path that follows it. Continue on to reach a small beach.

(6) Stay on this bank, and you will come to a crossroads marked by a cross.

(7) Turn left onto the road and follow it to the Church of Notre-Dame de l'Aouach.

(8) Return in the opposite direction to the previous crossroads.

(7) Turn left and you will soon reach the developed area of the former Garonne ferry crossing.

(9) Continue, occasionally following the banks of the Garonne from a distance, then climb up to reach a superb viewpoint.

(10) Continue along this path, which descends slightly, to reach the crossroads you passed on the way out.

(1) Turn right onto theGR®® to return to the car park on the banks of the Garonne (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 183 m - Car park on the banks of the - Garonne (fleuve)
  2. 1 : km 0.7 - alt. 188 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 1.24 - alt. 238 m - La Bâche
  4. 3 : km 2.62 - alt. 230 m - Soulentis crossroads
  5. 4 : km 4.27 - alt. 270 m - Saint-Amans crossroads – Saint-Amans Chapel (Muret) – Saint-Amans Chapel (Muret) – Saint-Amans Chapel (Muret) - Chapelle Saint-Amans (Muret)
  6. 5 : km 4.95 - alt. 178 m - Le Pontil
  7. 6 : km 6.49 - alt. 162 m - Beach on the banks of the - Garonne (river) - Garonne (river) - Garonne (river) - Garonne (fleuve)
  8. 7 : km 7.09 - alt. 170 m - Crossroads towards Aouach
  9. 8 : km 7.43 - alt. 182 m - Notre-Dame de l'Aouach
  10. 9 : km 8.1 - alt. 166 m - Ferry across the Garonne
  11. 10 : km 9.38 - alt. 221 m - Panorama
  12. S/E : km 10.79 - alt. 183 m - Car park on the banks of the - Garonne (fleuve)

Notes

Between (4) and (5). Benches for a break at the Chapel of Saint-Amans.
(6) Beach on the banks of the Garonne for a break.
(8) Table, benches and drinking fountain at Notre-Dame de l'Aouach.
(9) Garonne ferry crossing: this is where the ferry crossings used to take place.

Worth a visit

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.7 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
Denis26
Denis26 ★

Thank you for your comments; I’ve just added a warning to the introduction until the path reopens...

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Mika31
Mika31

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Same comment as the previous person.
Following a rockslide at point 10, it was impossible to continue along the path; it was too dangerous. We had to turn back and cut across the fields, which made the walk much longer.
It’s a shame because there’s a lovely viewpoint at point 10.

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Granpa
Granpa

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely route; the first section along the GR861 was trouble-free; the return route along the Garonne is a bit tricky, with some unclear markings, sections blocked by trees and, above all, a spot near point 10 where the path has been partially washed away due to landslides caused by the rain: it’s a shame, as the view there is superb, but this section was no longer safe

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Blanche99
Blanche99

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very scenic route, but be careful: following the recent storms, many sections are impassable or even dangerous. There are several rockfalls on the cliff face, and uprooted trees have blocked the path; it’s best to avoid it, even if it is technically possible.

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User 2931742

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful circular with superb views of the Pyrenees.
The route was muddy in places due to recent rainfall; bring walking sticks in these conditions for better balance.

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Nelly Marie
Nelly Marie

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route thanks to the changing scenery. However, there are two steep climbs: one almost right at the start (between points 1 and 2), which should be avoided if it has rained as it gets very muddy, and another towards the end, after crossing the “ferry” (at point 10), which is poorly signposted. A walk suitable for regular walkers.

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PATRICE31800
PATRICE31800

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello everyone.
Hike done in glorious weather; best done in dry conditions, as many of the paths turn into streams and you’ll be in for a muddy time! A varied hike (forest, fields, banks of the Garonne, beach – the area around which is used as a toilet and rubbish bin!!!!!). A GPS is useful when leaving the GR via Garonna, or follow the signposts (Sentes et Layons) to stay on the right track. A few lovely views over the valley and the hillsides. A lovely hike overall. Thanks for sharing.

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