Country:
District:
Park in the car park at the Aventignan canoe base.
(S/E) From the car park, go up the ramp to reach the shoulder of the RD71. Turn left and cross the Neste via the road bridge (paved slanting street).
Cross the road carefully at the end of the bridge and follow the RD71 for about 20 metres.
(1) Turn right immediately onto a path that leads to the banks of the Neste with a water intake feeding a canal. Follow the yellow markings on this path through the woods and then across meadows where cows graze (depending on the season). On the outskirts of Mazères-de-Neste, continue straight ahead on Chemin de la Gerle and then straight ahead again on Chemin du Hounaou, which eventually branches off to the left, away from the canal.
(2) At the intersection with Rue du Presbytère, turn right, then quickly left onto Rue de l'Église. You will come out onto Place du Chêne (there is only one) and continue under the plane trees.
(3) Turn right onto Rue du Stade (RD71). Walk carefully along this road as the pavement is narrow. After 200 metres, turn right onto Rue de la Neste, cutting across the field if necessary. Walk carefully along the road. Pass in front of the stadium and cross the bridge over the Neste.
(4) At the intersection after the bridge (hiking signpost), turn right onto Chemin de Bigorre. Follow the road uphill for 400 metres.
(5) Turn right onto a farm track, following the signs for theGR®®86variant towards Lombrès. Follow this track through the woods, first on level ground and then uphill, until you reach the RD26.
(6) Continue left for 100 m along the RD26 with great caution (poor visibility), cross the road and turn right towards the Gargas caves. Leave the cave visitor centre in front of you and continue to the right on a carriage road. Leave the restaurant on your left and follow the path for a good kilometre until you reach a paved road.
(7) Turn right onto Chemin d'Espiau, cross the hamlet of Gargas and go down the road. At the T-junction, continue down to the right onto Chemin de Génerest. At the bottom, you will find the RD26. Follow it straight ahead, cross the Ruisseau du Nistos and enter the village of Aventignan.
(8) For safety, go up to the left, Rue Carrière-Dessus, then quickly to the right, Rue de la Coustère. Cross the RD26 with caution and continue along Rue du Saruilles, which turns right at a right angle, 100 m further on at the fork with Chemin du Moulin (which goes straight ahead). Continue slightly downhill to the left on Rue de Saruilles and come out at the T-junction on the RD71. Turn right and return to the starting point 250 m further on (S/E).
Visorando member
Moderate 
Local authority
Association / Club / Walk leader
