Puech Margot circular walk

Hiking trail in the municipality of Fontrieu-en-Sidobre & Vallées in the Tarn - Occitanie

A beautiful route, showcasing a landscape shaped by the combination of farming and forestry, offering walkers a stunning mosaic of scenery.

A green valley runs through the vast commune of Fontrieu, amongst beautiful farmland dotted with hedgerows and dry stone walls. It was here that the Ouillats convent was established in 1825, benefiting from fertile land and abundant water. Above Biot and towards the south, the mountain rises 300 metres and marks the start of a vast wooded area on the granite ridge of Puech Margot. In this landscape, amidst recent clearings and old high forests, the cry of the harrier and the hammering of the woodpecker often echo the rustling of the wind through the branches.

Details

72996272
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Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.65 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,358 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,358 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,881 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,781 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park near the church 

(S/E) From the church, head down the D622 to a cross and turn left into the forest up to Bousquet.

(1) Pass the farm, then head up to the right. In the Ramiès Forest, ignore several tracks branching off to the left until the path narrows. The trail turns left and joins a forest track.

(2) Follow it to the left until you reach a flat area at a junction.

(3) Take the hairpin bend to the left along the track and continue until you reach a bend in the track.

(4) Leave the track and turn left onto a path, continuing north-east until you come to a tarmac road.

(5) Continue straight on and follow the track that circles Puech Margot, keeping straight ahead. Views of the Monts de Lacaune, Mont Roucous and the Oulès bog below. Joina tarmac road.

(6) Head down the road to the right, then take the hairpin bend to the left (marsh below). Continue down to a junction towards the peatland of Saint-Julien.

(7) Head down the track, then cross a stream, before heading up to the left. Join a wide track, turn immediately right and head to the viewpoint (Croix de Saint-Julien).

(8) Return to the track at the peatland of Saint-Julien.

(7) Turn left. Go round the chapel and the old convent on the right before crossing the village. 

(9) Turn left. Walk past the drinking troughs, then head up a path above the last buildings. Pass through a fenced-off area.

(10) Then continue straight on before turning right onto a path between two low walls. Cross a track and continue straight on before turning left onto a sunken path. When this splits, take the left-hand path. Further on, at the three-way junction, head down to the right until you reach the fork in the road.

(11) Continue downhill to join the D622 towards Biot. Turn right. At the stop sign, take the D622 to the left to return to the church (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,824 ft - Church
  2. 1 : mi 0.44 - alt. 2,018 ft - Bousquet
  3. 2 : mi 0.86 - alt. 2,257 ft - Forest track
  4. 3 : mi 1.12 - alt. 2,362 ft - Flat section and junction
  5. 4 : mi 1.44 - alt. 2,520 ft - Junction
  6. 5 : mi 2.6 - alt. 2,772 ft - Tarmac road
  7. 6 : mi 4.48 - alt. 2,703 ft - Tarmac road
  8. 7 : mi 4.78 - alt. 2,631 ft - Peatland of Saint-Julien
  9. 8 : mi 5.39 - alt. 2,789 ft - Viewpoint (Croix de Saint-Julien)
  10. 9 : mi 6.71 - alt. 2,070 ft - Former convent
  11. 10 : mi 6.8 - alt. 2,152 ft - Fenced area
  12. 11 : mi 7.19 - alt. 2,129 ft - Fork in the road
  13. S/E : mi 7.65 - alt. 1,824 ft - Church

Notes

Start: Church Square in Biot

Finish: same place as the start

Towns: Fontrieu

Road access and parking: via the D622

Parking: Place de l'Église in Biot - GPS parking coordinates: 43.647879, 2.518716

Transport: Bus route 763, Biot stop

Worth a visit

Puech Margot picnic area.

Reviews and comments

3.9 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
3.6 / 5
jomad
jomad

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A well-marked route along paths and tracks, with unobstructed views towards Lacaune and the Pic de Nore.
However, there is little view of the Pyrenees from the cross; remember to turn round towards WP4 to see them.
The path is poorly signposted at point 7; there is no more space to park at the church, so park on the street or in a car park signposted near the traffic lights.

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ferrand philippe
ferrand philippe

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

lovely walk with beautiful views

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Aigle noir
Aigle noir
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route, very well marked, best done in good weather, beautiful views of the Lacaune mountains, superb viewpoint from the St Julien cross, no difficulty in following the trail.

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Patrixdemex
Patrixdemex

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A nice little walk whose only real attraction is the view from the St Julien cross. We did it on a foggy day. The fog only lifted (partially) once we reached the top. The path is easy, with no technical difficulties.
Thanks for the route

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maxcaviso
maxcaviso

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk.
The St Julien cross is well worth a detour for the view.
There’s a picnic table before the climb up to the cross for those who’ve brought a packed lunch

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