Circular route from Villegly to Villarzel via the Moulin Sainte-Anne

In Villegly, a beautifully restored windmill offers a stunning view, and a ford sometimes allows you to step back in time to when there weren't as many bridges as there are today. All this is set against a backdrop of vineyards and heaths.

Details

223936
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Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.65 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 68 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 66 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 190 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 137 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Villegly (11600)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.283276° / E 2.441048°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2345E
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

In Villegly, there is a car park between the cemetery and the campsite.

(S/E) From the car park, take the D835 road opposite towards Bagnoles.

(1) After 150 metres, turn left onto the gravel path, then immediately right. Climb the path towards the Sainte-Anne windmill. At the crossroads, turn left to reach the mill.

(2) Continue eastwards, then turn right towards the south-east.

(3) At this crossroads, a blue sign indicates to turn left. Only take this path if you want to shorten the walk, otherwise continue straight ahead on the path.

In Villarzel, leave the main village on your right and continue on the left towards Villegly. From there, follow the D435 road for a good kilometre until you reach a crossroads. There are few cars, but you should still be careful.

(4) If it is possible to cross the ford (see practical information), take the path downhill to the right of the road. Then continue along the path that descends to the left until you reach the ford.

(5) Concrete blocks staggered along the right-hand side of the submersible road allow you to cross without getting your feet wet when the road is slightly covered with water.
(If the water level seems too high or the current too strong, do not hesitate to go back up to (4) and take the D435 road for the rest of the walk.)
Once you have crossed the ford, turn left towards the stadium. Continue along Rue du Moulin on the right until you reach the castle.
Pass the entrance to the park on your left and take the first street on your right.

(6) In the small square, a fountain with a large mural catches the eye.
Continue to the left of the fountain to reach Avenue du Minervois at the church. Continue left on this avenue and take the bridge on the left opposite the war memorial. After a hundred metres, turn left to pass behind the cemetery and reach the car park via the banks of the Clamousse (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 141 m - Cemetery car park
  2. 1 : km 0.19 - alt. 144 m - Take the gravel path on the left.
  3. 2 : km 0.81 - alt. 179 m - Moulin Sainte-Anne
  4. 3 : km 1.38 - alt. 153 m - Continue straight ahead.
  5. 4 : km 3.62 - alt. 172 m - Take the path downhill on the right.
  6. 5 : km 4.47 - alt. 143 m - Cross the ford at - Clamoux (rivère)
  7. 6 : km 5.06 - alt. 140 m - Fountain and mural
  8. S/E : km 5.65 - alt. 141 m - Cemetery car park

Notes

An easy walk with no difficulty.
Important note: Before heading to the car park, it is advisable to drive through the village and check that the water level at the ford (5) is within your capabilities. If not, the walk is still feasible but you will need to continue straight ahead on the road at (4).

Worth a visit

Enjoy the mill site.
A visit to the Visigothic museum in Villarzel can be informative.

In Villegly:
The castle grounds are a place to relax and are open to the public.
The fountain and its large fresco are worth a visit.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
Sam0Te
Sam0Te

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This walk offers stunning views of the Montagne Noire and the Pyrenees. The mill and the ruins add a touch of charm to the walk. I got my feet thoroughly soaked at the end

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crismarl
crismarl

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

not much of interest apart from the mill

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Evelyne T.
Evelyne T.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hello
We did this route today, but unfortunately the log footbridge over the Orbiel has been washed away and the path is virtually impassable.
We are willing to come and help restore the route, because this route is really worth it!
Kind regards
Evelyne and Béatrice

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HerRos
HerRos

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 17, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

I recommend doing the hike in reverse, i.e. clockwise. This means you should finish at the mill. That way, if you can't cross the Clamoux River, you can always retrace your steps and follow the signs back to the village of Villarzel.
We did this hike as indicated. When we reached the river (almost at the end), we couldn't cross because there were almost no stepping stones left. Retracing our steps, we avoided going back up to the road and followed the blue markings on the right that lead back to the river. The only problem was that the path had disappeared. We finally had to turn back completely and walk down the tarmac road to the car.
The section between Villarzel and Villegly is not very interesting as it is only on the road and then on a dirt road.

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momojojo
momojojo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

easy, very pleasant route

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lippo
lippo
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

I just did this walk again. BEWARE: the end is problematic for crossing the river. This crossing used to be done on large concrete blocks that protruded well above the water level. Last year there was no problem. But this year several blocks have disappeared, probably due to winter flooding. They have been replaced by large, somewhat unstable stones.
I stood with my feet in the water while I helped my friends cross. I hope the local council will do something about this.

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Danielle11
Danielle11
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very pleasant walk in the sunshine, discovering a beautiful mill, varied landscapes and two villages.

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scorpion11620
scorpion11620
• Edited:

Hike not yet completed due to weather conditions

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lippo
lippo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 20, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely, enjoyable walk. The paths around the mill are a bit confusing, but as you can see the mill, you can't go wrong.
Thank you, Nanardu11.

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