Saint-Jean del Frech circular

A route leading from a valley spared from development to one of the department’s last remaining monuments dating from the year 1000. A beautiful walk starting from the Maison de la Vallée du Gijou, to discover one of the Tarn’s most unusual and mystical heritage sites: the Chapel of Saint-Jean Del Frech, first mentioned in 972.
You’ll also enjoy stunning views in the heart of nature along the ridges overlooking this valley, which nearly disappeared forever due to a dam project.

Details

72988763
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.48 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 453 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 445 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 799 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 427 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Parking at Pont de Sénégats before the bridge.

(S/E) Cross the D171 with care, pass between the houses and turn right. The path, sometimes bordered by walls, climbs through woodland. At the top, continue to the left and, after two bends, join a road.

(1) Continue to the right, pass above the houses of Las Communes and take the path on the left before the shed. At the wide track, turn left and join the ridge path. Follow it uphill to the left and stay on this path until you reach the hunters’ green bus, ignoring all the paths to the right and left in turn until you reach the crossroads.

(2) At the junction, follow the track on the right which climbs towards the Chapel of Saint-Jean del Frech.

(3) Head back down to the hunters’ bus.

(2) Take the path to the left of this, then left again. Follow the path which then descends into the Bois de Sahuzet. Pass a path on the right, another on the left, then another on the right, before reaching a wide track.

(4) Follow it to the left. At a bend in the track, head down the path lined with broom on the right. Pass a track on the right and enter the undergrowth. Continue downhill. When you reach the edge of a large meadow, head down to the left, towards the forest, and join the Cayrol road.

(5) Turn left, pass the ruins of L’Estang, then the peatland, and continue through the woods. The path runs alongside the Gijou, then the D171 until it reaches a road.

(6) When you reach the road, follow it to the left and head down a path on the right to the Pont de Sénégats and the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 427 m - Car park at the Pont de Sénégats on the D171 - Gijou (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 1.07 - alt. 574 m - Route
  3. 2 : km 6.84 - alt. 762 m - Crossroads towards the hunters’ green bus
  4. 3 : km 7.63 - alt. 799 m - St-Jean-del-Frech Chapel
  5. 4 : km 10.28 - alt. 613 m - Track
  6. 5 : km 11.88 - alt. 469 m - Route de Cayrol
  7. 6 : km 14.57 - alt. 451 m - Route
  8. S/E : km 15.48 - alt. 427 m - Car park at the Pont de Sénégats on the D171 - Gijou (rivière)

Notes

Start: Car park at the Pont de Sénégats on the D171 between Vabre and Lacaze

Finish: Same place as the start

Towns: Lacaze

Road access and parking: From Vabre and Lacaze via the D171

Parking: At Pont de Sénégats before the bridge

Transport: Bus route 766 Castres-Vabre-Lacaune, Pont de Sénégats stop

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 1 review

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
3 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
Thierry I.
Thierry I.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Access to the chapel is straightforward.
The descent is more complicated: in some places the path no longer exists, in others you have to cross meadows surrounded by electric fences, and our friends the cows put a bit of pressure on you! The overall impression of the second part is that hikers are not welcome!
I would go back, of course, but with a sickle to reopen the path!

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