Circular Bécane starting from Vieille-Toulouse

Connecting the village of Vieille-Toulouse to that of Pechbusque via the Way of St James, this walk takes hikers through wooded, shaded areas crossed by the Bécane stream. The church of Pechbusque, a stopping place for pilgrims, will charm visitors with its stained glass windows and furnishings.
Strongly discouraged in wet weather.

Details

6446318
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.13 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 119 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 126 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 261 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 186 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the shaded square in the village of Vieille-Toulouse, opposite the old farm.

(S/E) Take the tarmac road on the right lined with trees. At the bend (view of Pechbusque church), continue straight on along the grassy path that runs alongside the cemetery until you reach an intersection.

(1) Continue straight ahead on the stony path. In front of the gate of the first house, turn immediately left onto a path that runs alongside the hedge and descends into the woods. Take care, as the path is slippery in wet weather.
Go back up and continue straight ahead until you reach a crossroads with a path.

(2) Turn opposite and follow the red and white markings ofthe GR® 653, the Way of St James (view of the Toulouse conurbation). Follow this path to reach the church of Pechbusque. Turn left and take the Grand'Rue de la Mairie. Pass in front of the school and a mission cross. Walk alongside the Château de Planet and reach the intersection.

(3) At the Calvary, continue straight on the Route des Coteaux, leave the red and whiteGR® markings and follow the yellow markings (view of the Bonneval valley on the right). After the last house, turn left onto Chemin du Vigné and descend to the bottom of the valley on the grassy track. Continue straight on through the woods to climb the hillside.
At the top of the path, continue along the road and return to the car park at Place de Vieille-Toulouse (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 261 m - Village square in Vieille-Toulouse
  2. 1 : km 0.71 - alt. 249 m - Intersection - Ancienne ferme de Borde Haute
  3. 2 : km 1.01 - alt. 222 m - Crossing with trail
  4. 3 : km 2.02 - alt. 245 m - Calvaire
  5. S/E : km 3.13 - alt. 261 m - Village square in Vieille-Toulouse

Notes

Markings:

  • between (2) and (3) White and redGR® 653.
  • Before (2) and after ::3: Yellow.

Observations:

  • possible departure from the village of Pechbusque, start the description from (3) at the foot of the calvary, car park on the village square next to the school,
  • steep and narrow descent for 200 m after (1), slippery in wet weather,
  • steep but shaded climbs after (2) and between (3) and (S/E),
  • water points in Pechbusque in front of the school playground and behind the community hall,
  • caution at road crossings,
  • recommended equipment: footwear suitable for walking in all seasons,
  • possible junctions with other circulars.

IGN reference:
blue series 2144 O Ramonville Saint-Agne

Worth a visit

Landscape:

  • view of Pechbusque church,
  • view of the Toulouse metropolitan area,
  • panoramic view of the Bonneval valley.

Heritage:

  • Saint-Jacques Church: Probably built in the 14th century, the church was originally linked to Saint-Martin-de-Vigoulet. In 1647, its original bell tower was a wall with a triangular pediment pierced by four bays housing the bells. In 1828, the exterior walls of the church were reinforced and the cornices and glacis of the bell tower were repaired. In 1833, a violent windstorm knocked down the bell tower, partially destroying the roof of the nave. Rebuilt in 1835 thanks to a fundraising campaign, it became a gabled bell tower with three openings. It took on its current appearance at the end of the 19th century.
  • Saint-Sernin Church: Perhaps built on the site of a lake, this church has a nave with two bays and side chapels. It was restored starting in 1853. The bell tower was probably installed at that time. Opposite the bell tower is the presbytery. The interior of the building has largely retained its painted decoration. The very low vaults and small ogival windows, which let in little light, are characteristic of regional religious architecture.

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

4.7 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 23393559

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hike done at around 30°C: very pleasant because it is shaded. It goes up and down but it is enjoyable. Not recommended in wet weather as some sections can be very slippery or even impassable.

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Henri-Jean
Henri-Jean

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A few muddy patches after the rain (normal), but otherwise a lovely short walk in the countryside close to the village.

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Thimy
Thimy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk. Be careful, it is very muddy between points 1 and 2 if it has rained recently.

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gasfranc
gasfranc

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very short evening walk that takes you far away from it all, along small, wild paths. Very pleasant in the cool of the early evening, with beautiful views amidst stunning properties and contemporary houses. 3.35 km and 113 m elevation gain in 45 minutes.

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he-gauth
he-gauth

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Even though this circular isn't very long, there are a few steep climbs!
A good walk to get your legs back into shape!

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fredetcris
fredetcris

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Wearing Bermuda shorts and a T-shirt on this 1st of November 2022, this circular route offers some beautiful panoramic views and the woodland route is rather pleasant. As for the starting point, don't look for the farm, it's gone. Construction work in progress...

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Mymi3189
Mymi3189

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A pleasant short hike with beautiful scenery.
Be careful on the section between points 1 and 2 after rain, as it becomes muddy and slippery.

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Ramonville
Ramonville

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 16, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I did this short route twice in two days, starting from Pechbusque (park at the village hall or at the foot of the calvary). Easy to find, with beautiful landscapes of valleys and hillsides, it is short (1 hour) but challenging, with a long steep descent (impassable if it has rained recently) and a long climb (from Pechbusque to Vieille-Toulouse), then the same thing in the other direction after a short flat section, returning via a charming path to the church in Pechbusque. Very little tarmac, not many people. Just be aware that there is a significant elevation gain!

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