Circular of Fount Picou

de fr

This circular loop, which starts along the tramway path, opens onto the hills of La Piège. It encircles a narrow valley that has always been farmland shared by the farmers living in the village. Each of the fields lined up in this way had access or a "step" from the path. A stone hut, flanked by the traditional cypress tree, allowed the farmer and his team to take a well-deserved rest once the "junte" was finished.

Blue markings

Details

n°44676267
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.79 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 114 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 114 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 328 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 214 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Fanjeaux (11270)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.185386° / E 2.033904°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2246E
  • Hour-by-hour weather
    Discover Visorando Premium
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

View of Fanjeaux
A pretty woodland
Viewpoints
Woods and broom

Description of the walk

From the welcome sign on Avenue de la Gare, near the Tourist Office, follow the blue markings throughout the route.

(S/E) Continue along the avenue. Follow the "tramway" route, marked in blue. Ignore the first path on the right. At the second path, turn left until you reach the pine grove known as "les chambres".

(1) Turn left (blue markings) and follow the ridge path to the end.

(2) Turn left towards the Gatagé stream via a winding path with a significant elevation change. Walk along the left bank under a pretty undergrowth. Cross the stream and follow the path on the left to the next stream.

(3) After crossing a small stream, you will reach the Fount Picou path. Take it to the right until you reach the junction with the "Route Tramway".

(4) Turn right to return to the starting point near the pine grove.

(1) Continue straight ahead and follow the same route as on the way there to return to the village (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 328 m - Office de tourisme intercommunal Au Cœur des Collines Cathares
  2. 1 : km 0.74 - alt. 317 m - Between the pine grove and the ridge path
  3. 2 : km 2.17 - alt. 275 m - End of the ridge path
  4. 3 : km 3.21 - alt. 214 m - Chemin de la Fount Picou - Gatagé (ruisseau) - Affluent du Ruisseau de la Preuille
  5. 4 : km 4.56 - alt. 298 m - Tramway route
  6. S/E : km 5.79 - alt. 328 m - Office de tourisme intercommunal Au Cœur des Collines Cathares

Notes

- Village grocery store
- Bakery open all day

Worth a visit

In the same village, you can visit the medieval town of Fanjeaux (Cathar country site) and the Maison Gramont (Arts & Culture). During the circular route, you will discover the hills of La Piège, the view of the Pyrenees mountain range and the Lauragais plain.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 9 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your experiences on one of our hiking trails in the Piège Lauragais Malepère region.

We hope to see you again soon

Machine-translated

Tannier
Tannier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A short walk of less than two hours, pleasant thanks to the diversity of the landscape, along the ridge with beautiful views, then along a tree-lined stream. The descent didn't seem difficult to me, but it hadn't rained. The Lauragais is a magnificent region!

Machine-translated

OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your experiences on one of our circular hiking trails in the Piège Lauragais Malepère region.

See you soon

Machine-translated

Orangina31
Orangina31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this hiking suggestion, which offers a beautiful variety of landscapes over a short distance. The hike took 1.5 hours. Magnificent Lauragais. I imagine this hike must be beautiful in all seasons.
There is also a lovely village to visit and a good restaurant.

Machine-translated

Roel964
Roel964

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As we were a bit pressed for time, we parked the car near point 1 to do the circular route from there; walking time 1 hour 5 minutes.
What's interesting about this route is its variety: the first part offers beautiful views, the second part takes you through trees, and the third part is more in a valley.
The descent after point 2 is steep and, of course, very slippery after rain; the rest of the route is passable.

Machine-translated

OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your experiences on one of our circular hiking trails in the Piège Lauragais Malepère region.

See you soon.

Machine-translated

alexandrecaux
alexandrecaux

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

The hike takes about 1 hour 25/30 minutes rather than 2 hours.
The scenery is superb, and in the village, you have to climb up to the exceptional viewpoint.
The trail isn't very busy for a Saturday, but it is the end of November...
The blue markings are excellent.

Machine-translated

OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your experiences on one of our circular hiking trails in the Piège Lauragais Malepère region.

See you soon

Machine-translated

Domipk31
Domipk31
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely little hike with beautiful views, but be careful on the very steep descent, which is slippery even in dry weather and deeply rutted by mountain bikers who ride it at full speed, as we saw...
A visit to Fanjeau is a must, with a superb view from the war memorial.
Dominique from the Pourquoi Pas Toulouse club

Machine-translated

OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Hello,

I have taken note of your feedback. Regarding the GPS track, I will check on site to ensure that it matches the actual route on this map.

Thank you for your feedback
Kind regards

Machine-translated

general11
general11

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

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

Beautiful, hilly surroundings where you can discover crops and pastures with panoramic views of the Pyrenees and the Montagne Noire.
Most of the trails are wide farm tracks, except for one path that descends steeply into the valley. The walk is easy overall and very well marked with signs indicating the route and a blue line.
However, do not follow the GPS on the app as the route must have been mapped out on a computer and not on the ground. Between landmarks 2 and 3, the route deviates from the markings.

Machine-translated

OT Cœur des Collines Cathares
OT Cœur des Collines Cathares

Hello,

Thank you for sharing your experiences on one of our circular hiking trails in the Piège Lauragais Malepère region.

See you soon

Machine-translated

Christine TROILLET
Christine TROILLET

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike: stunning views across contrasting landscapes, the delightful surprise of wild orchids, the scent of broom, the discovery of rosemary bushes and beautiful clumps of thyme (to be picked in moderation 😉).
The route is fairly easy except for one small steep section.
Be careful when passing near sheep, do not approach them and walk quietly so as not to frighten them: the sheepdog guards the flock and it is best not to alert him.

Machine-translated

adalen
adalen

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

To be practised in dry weather: clay soil, tricky descent in wet weather

Machine-translated

karfro
karfro

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy to follow. Beautiful scenery. Avoid in hot weather and strong winds.

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Hille and Mont Carrière circular in Fanjeaux

Tourist office
Boucle de la Hille et Mont Carrière à Fanjeaux
↔12.09 km ↗+340 m ↘-334 m ◔4h 25 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Fanjeaux (Aude)
In the Aude Cathar Country, the unspoilt village of Fanjeaux, perched on a hill (pech in Occitan), offers spectacular views of the countryside. The undulating route winds its way over the hills, dotted with numerous viewpoints, including Mont Carrière with its four orientation tables. Red markings and "Circular de la Hille" sign.

Walking The Way of St Dominic from Fanjeaux

Tourist office
Le Chemin de Dominique depuis Fanjeaux
↔14.67 km ↗+285 m ↘-285 m ◔5h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Fanjeaux (Aude)
Set off on the path once taken by Saint Dominic to reach the first monastery he founded in Prouille. Crossing the hills, the route reveals the wine-growing village of Lasserre-de-Prouille, a small "circulade" with a remarkable heritage. This is a shortened version of the long route linking Fanjeaux to Montréal (30 km) via the GR® 78, the Piedmont route of the legendary pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela. Yellow markings

Walking Mont Carrière loop to Villasavary

Visorando member
Boucle du Mont Carrière à Villasavary
↔10.23 km ↗+303 m ↘-310 m ◔3h 45 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Villasavary (Aude)
A challenging forest circuit on hilly paths with sweeping views over the first hills of the Piège. It is an ideal training ground for keeping fit or preparing your legs for the mountains. Mont Carrière, the highlight of the walk, has four orientation tables, but it is not the only panoramic viewpoint on this circuit, which offers many beautiful sights.

Walking Les Dédales du Temps starting from Villasavary

Tourist office
Les dédales du Temps au départ de Villasavary
↔10.19 km ↗+245 m ↘-244 m ◔3h 35 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Villasavary (Aude)
Follow in the footsteps of Théodore Denille and discover the landscapes of Lauragais, the hills of Piège du Lauragais and the people who shaped its history. Find your way through the maze of wooded paths, take a few breaks to read the signs and admire the panoramic views, while learning to recognise orchids. Red markings

Walking Orchid trail in Villasavary

Tourist office
Sentier des orchidées à Villasavary
↔9.50 km ↗+260 m ↘-258 m ◔3h 25 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Villasavary (Aude)
The wild orchid discovery trail winds its way from the slopes of Mont Carrière to those of Les Canonges, offering a succession of hills and valleys where undergrowth, forests, cultivated areas, short, dry grasslands on limestone soil and wetlands alternate. Wild orchids have made their home in this setting. However, few walkers pay attention to these sometimes tiny flowers, which rarely grow taller than 20 centimetres, in the early days of spring. Some are very concentrated, others much rarer, growing alone or scattered. Picto Yellow Flower Markings

Walking Landscapes and vineyards of Bas-Razès

Tourist office
Paysages et vignobles du Bas-Razès
↔17.35 km ↗+256 m ↘-253 m ◔5h 40 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lasserre-de-Prouille (Aude)
Starting from Laserre-de-Prouille, set off along the paths through the vineyards of the Malepère appellation to discover four villages perched on their hills: Brézilhac, Ferran, Mazerolles-du-Razès and Lasserre-de-Prouille. Several panoramic views provide an insight into the landscape, which is marked by a wide variety of agricultural activities. Yellow markings

Walking Circular Besplas near Villasavary

Visorando member
Boucle de Besplas près de Villasavary
↔11.24 km ↗+278 m ↘-271 m ◔4h 00 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Villasavary (Aude)
Away from the village of Villasavary, starting from the car park below the Besplas leisure centre (in front of the "Bois de Villasavary" sign), this hike crosses the first hills of La Piège, offering a landscape of meadows, woods and fields. Follow the yellow markings and the wooden signs for "Besplas" or "route de Besplas".

Walking Historic trail of Laurac-le-Grand

Tourist office
Sentier historique de Laurac-le-Grand
↔4.51 km ↗+164 m ↘-155 m ◔1h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Laurac (Aude)
The stronghold of the powerful lords who gave their name to the Lauragais, the ancient fortified village of Laurac has retained its dominant position, its medieval silhouette and its authentic stone buildings. The route reveals breathtaking panoramas and allows you to observe the village and nature from the surrounding hills. The information panels along the route tell its eventful history, from the Cathars to the religious wars of the Renaissance. Yellow markings

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.