Loops of La Coque and Saint-Pierre Chapel in Birac

This short, figure-of-eight walk takes you along quiet paths and trails where you can observe wildlife, the hillside forest and the 14th-century Saint-Pierre de Birac Chapel. In spring, you can see many different species of orchids; there is an information panel behind the chapel to help you identify them.

Details

19014282
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.50 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 140 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 141 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 305 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 222 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the dirt car park at Mailholas Town Hall.

(S/E) Leave the car park and take the tarmac path on the left for about 300 m. At the end of the tarmac, continue along the path at the edge of a wood until you reach a fork.

(1) Continue straight ahead towards the equestrian centre. Cross the Camedon stream via a ford (impossible during periods of high water) and reach the D25 at a place called La Coque.

(2) Cross the bridge on the right and immediately turn left onto a dirt track to start the La Coque loop. The track quickly crosses a small stream and then follows it for a long way along the bottom of the valley.

(3) At the crossroads, turn left onto a path which becomes a trail after a short climb. This first turns right then left to run alongside the Minguet.

(4) About 50 metres before the D25, turn left then right to go around a house and reach the equestrian centre. Take the D25 to the right to cross the bridge.

(2) Turn left and follow the same route back as on the way there.

(1) This time, turn right towards Rieux-Volvestre. At the first crossroads, take the path on the left that climbs towards the chapel. Return to the tarmac road at the end of the climb and continue straight on to reach the Saint-Pierre de Birac Chapel.

(5) Go around the building on the right, return to the crossroads and take the path on the right down towards Mailholas. Continue along the tarmac road in the same direction, then turn left to reach the town hall car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 234 m - Town hall car park
  2. 1 : km 0.98 - alt. 236 m - Crossroads of the two loops - Camedon (ruisseau) - Affluent de de l'Arize
  3. 2 : km 1.26 - alt. 226 m - La Coque - Route D25
  4. 3 : km 2.25 - alt. 258 m - Crossroads
  5. 4 : km 3.54 - alt. 229 m - Fork in the road
  6. 5 : km 5.71 - alt. 297 m - Chapelle Saint-Pierre de Birac (Mailholas)
  7. S/E : km 6.5 - alt. 234 m - Town hall car park

Worth a visit

(5) Come and explore the chapel. If you would like to do this walk on horseback or pony, contact the Volvestre equestrian centre located at (2).

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
bardoumagniez
bardoumagniez

Thank you for your valuable information.
I really appreciate Visorando.

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Tourisme en Volvestre
Tourisme en Volvestre

Hello Bardoumagniez,

Thank you for your feedback. We are sorry that you did not find the trail markings to be of a high standard. We are currently in the process of renewing the trail markings in Volvestre (maintenance takes place every two years), but the rainy weather has delayed our work.

You will be able to hike with peace of mind by the end of the month, as all the markings will be as good as new!

We wish you many more enjoyable walks and hope you have a good day.

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bardoumagniez
bardoumagniez

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Between the left bank and right bank (Route 2-3), follow the wooden signs marked "Boucle de la Coque" on the left!
Several yellow markings or none at all...what a shame!

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Tourisme en Volvestre
Tourisme en Volvestre

Dear Michel Doret,

Thank you for your very informative feedback. The heavy rains this week have indeed affected the condition of our trails and caused some small streams to overflow. I can confirm that this hike is pleasant in good weather, but be careful in the sun, as there is little shade on the trail!

Wishing you many wonderful walks in the future.

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Michel Doret
Michel Doret

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Route completed on 29 January 2025. The paths were extremely muddy and at point 1, the Cameron stream was impassable. On the way back, we came across the Cameron again, but on the other bank. When we reached the D25, we had no choice but to follow it to the end point. I will do this route again in the summer, which should be very pleasant.

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Safrerama
Safrerama
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A charming route, a little short but perfect for a half-day: varied landscapes and beautiful views of the Pyrenees. Virtually no tarmac, toilets at the start.
But be careful, as mentioned above, you must follow the signposts: between points 2 and 3, you must go up the Vila stream on the left-hand side and not on the right as indicated on the map (make sure you follow the direction indicated: Coque loop)! we had to search around a bit because the route indicated by the GPS and the description did not correspond at all to reality..

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Lisel & Renaud
Lisel & Renaud

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 10, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Walk taken on Sunday 9 April in beautiful weather.
Very beautiful views of the Pyrenees. Well marked along the route (yellow markings and signs at crossroads). However, the map is confusing. Between points 2 and 3, you have to go up the Vila stream on the left side of it and not on the right as indicated on the map (be sure to take the Coque loop)

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SandyHamlet
SandyHamlet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Walk completed this afternoon. Very easy and very pleasant. Almost no tarmac roads, paths through the woods. Convenient for those with dogs. Beautiful views of the snow-capped Pyrenees and a pretty chapel at the end.

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