Circular for Archaeologists

This circular starts at the Church of Saint-Sernin. It was built in the 13th century, marking the end of the Albigensian Crusade and Catharism. The circular route continues to the banks of the Agros stream and the old mills of Racco and Vitrac. Along the way, you will have the opportunity to see the dovecote of Saint-Sernin, a pyramid-shaped building. You can choose between a short 5.5 km (1.5 hour) route or a longer 9 km route.

Details

2743802
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.07 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 93 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 94 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 281 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 201 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Trail of community interest created by the Centre Tarn Tourist Office. See § Practical information.

(S/E) With your back to the church, turn right towards the north-east and, after the cross, join the D23. Follow it north for a few hundred metres until you reach the next crossroads.

(1) At the Saint-Sernin dovecote, turn left. This magnificent pyramid-shaped building on arched pillars has a large number of terracotta nests in its walls.
The path descends gently and passes close to the Castelvert microlight base. Continue along the path until you reach the end of the track.

(2) At the bend, take the path straight ahead to the north-west. Continue until you reach the old Racco mill on the Ruisseau d'Agros stream.

(3) At the fork, turn left until you reach the next crossroads in the hamlet of Raco.

(4) There are two options:
- turn left for the shorter route and return to the starting point (see Practical Information)
- continue straight on towards the Moulin de Vitrac (route marked on the map). Reach the crossroads with the D4.

(5) Cross the D4, then continue opposite along the Ruisseau d'Agros. The path meets the D24 near a small pond. Continue straight ahead to the next crossroads at the southern end of the pond.

(6) Turn left towards the hamlet of L'Oulmié. As you pass, note the restraint device for shoeing horses, known as a "travail". Then follow the ridge path (an old road linking Gaillac to Réalmont). Ignore the crossroads until you reach the junction with the D96.

(7) Turn left and carefully follow the D96 towards Belsoleil. After the hamlet, the D96 meets the D4.

(8) Continue on the right, then turn left twice to reach the Church of Saint-Sernin (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 279 m - Church of Saint-Sernin
  2. 1 : km 0.29 - alt. 269 m - Saint Sernin Dovecote
  3. 2 : km 1.3 - alt. 236 m - Castelvert microlight base
  4. 3 : km 2.52 - alt. 217 m - Fourche, Moulin de Raco
  5. 4 : km 2.78 - alt. 220 m - Raco, possible alternative
  6. 5 : km 3.88 - alt. 203 m - D4 junction
  7. 6 : km 4.4 - alt. 202 m - Hameau de l'Oulmié
  8. 7 : km 6.81 - alt. 280 m - D96 junction
  9. 8 : km 8.47 - alt. 274 m - D96/D4 crossroads
  10. S/E : km 9.07 - alt. 279 m - Church of Saint-Sernin

Notes

(4) Possible alternative route back to the starting point. 5.5 km route, 1½ hours, yellow markings. Pass through Maynengues towards the Belsoleil plateau and return to Saint-Sernin via (8).

Tourist Office Centre Tarn
8, Place de la République
81120 Réalmont - Tel. 05 63 79 05 45

Montrdedon-Labessonnié welcome centre
2 Avenue des Pyrénées
81360 Montredon-Labessonnié
Tel

Worth a visit

(S/E) Saint-Sernin Church

(1) Saint Sernin Dovecote

Former Racco Mill

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
lascazes
lascazes

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Hike done in the middle of winter; some sections are on roads, but this isn't too much of a problem as the roads are not very busy. Signposting is a little random from point 6, "Hameau de l'Oulmié". No difficulty, no elevation gain. Route completed in 2 hours. Avoid in very hot weather.

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User 27914463

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk

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GiPhi
GiPhi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Lovely countryside scenery, shame there's so much road travel, but fortunately it's not very busy.

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randochristel
randochristel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant winter hike. Very easy. Some minor roads but no traffic. Beautiful views.

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kinelau
kinelau

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy route, not much elevation gain.
A bit too much road for my liking. I did it with my dog, which meant I had to keep him on a lead the whole time.
The sections on the trail are very nice and allow you to let the dog off the leash.

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montagnejeanmarc
montagnejeanmarc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

nice walk, perhaps a bit too much tarmac, but the paths are very pleasant

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ferrand philippe
ferrand philippe

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

beautiful hike – very pleasant scenery at this time of year
the chapel is of historical interest and should not be overlooked!

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jean-jacques
jean-jacques

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, not too difficult, with beautiful scenery in October. However, at the end of the route there was a bit too much tarmac for my liking, especially when the finish line is in sight and you can see all the tarmac you have to walk on..

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ferrand philippe
ferrand philippe

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 14, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

beautiful family hike - best done in spring when the weather is mild

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Christian 1234
Christian 1234

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The first part is pleasant up to the hamlet of L'Oulmié, but the second part has too much tarmac and is dangerous due to vehicles travelling at excessive speeds. It is best to do a round trip to L'Oulmié and definitely not in summer as there is no shade.

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kergounette
kergounette

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful place but too much tarmac and numerous sections along the roadside, especially at the end of the hike.

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Vendinielle
Vendinielle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, peaceful and charming family walk. Don't miss out on the long circular; the ridge path between (6) and (7) is a real treat.

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LASGOUTTES
LASGOUTTES

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 07, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk with views of several different types of dovecotes.
It is surprising to see sarcophagi next to the church of St Sernin.
Plus beautiful views of nearly 360° all the way to the Pyrenees.

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Martine Viste
Martine Viste

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

One downside is that there is a lot of tarmac

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PiouMalo
PiouMalo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route with little traffic
Allow 2½ hours at a leisurely pace
This route passes through the middle of a farm, but don't worry, the dogs are tied up!
When you reach the D24, follow it for 50 metres and make sure you turn left into the hamlet of L'Oulmié, as the sign is on the back of the signpost!

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