Caux, Sauzens, Herminis as you walk along the Canal du Midi

Part of a larger 13km circular, this fairly easy walk allows you to discover two ancient villages and breathe in the tranquillity of the banks of the Canal du Midi.

Details

411129
Creation:
Last update:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.54 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 43 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 43 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 153 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 110 m

Photos

Description of the walk

There is a small car park at the crossroads of Avenue des Platanes and Avenue d'Herminis.

(S/E) From there, head north-west along Avenue de Sauzens. After 110 metres, pass Rue de l'Écluse on your left and continue along the same avenue. After 1,100 metres, you will reach Route de Bram (D33).

(1) The D33 crosses the Canal du Midi. Here, if you wish, you can make a round trip to the village of Sauzens (800 metres in total).
Continue by crossing the canal on the bridge and take the canal bank on the right. After 200m, the canal forms a circular loop to the right around the village of Sauzens. Continue for about 1.8km and arrive at a bridge that crosses the canal (Route de Pezens à Caux).

(2) Continue after the bridge along the canal and after a little over 2 km, you will arrive at the Écluse de la Lande.

(3) Continue for another 350 metres to reach the Herminis lock.

(4) Just after the lock, take the bridge on the right and continue to Herminis.

(5) At the entrance to the village, turn right under a large wall and continue to the next crossroads.

(6) Turn left onto the path leading to Domaine du Colombier. Pass to the right of the buildings to reach the D33.

(7) When you reach the D33, cross it carefully, walk about 15 metres to the right and take the dirt track on the left, which turns right before the hut.

(8) Follow the dirt track that passes through vineyards and farmland until you reach a track that is almost passable by vehicle.

(9) Follow this path, which leads to Avenue d'Herminis at the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 153 m - Parking Avenue d'Herminis
  2. 1 : km 1.24 - alt. 122 m - Cross the bridge. - Canal du Midi
  3. 2 : km 3.3 - alt. 122 m - Continue under the bridge along the canal path.
  4. 3 : km 5.59 - alt. 119 m - Écluse de la Lande
  5. 4 : km 5.92 - alt. 113 m - Herminis Lock
  6. 5 : km 6.81 - alt. 128 m - On the right under the large wall
  7. 6 : km 6.96 - alt. 135 m - Turn left towards Le Colombier.
  8. 7 : km 7.15 - alt. 134 m - Crossing the D33
  9. 8 : km 7.6 - alt. 136 m - Walking along the edge of the field
  10. 9 : km 8.06 - alt. 133 m - Path almost suitable for vehicles
  11. S/E : km 9.54 - alt. 153 m - Parking Avenue d'Herminis

Worth a visit

(2) The hamlet of Sauzens was attached to the commune of Caux in 1791. Large manor houses stand alongside a church and a castle.

(3) The Lande lock with its two consecutive leats, closely followed by the Herminis lock.

(S/E) The village of Caux may date back to the early 10th century. Worth seeing are the Church of Saint-Étienne and Saint-Sébastien, the castle and the former presbytery with its watchtower, now the town hall.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
foncarial
foncarial

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

We encountered many cyclists who took little care when overtaking us... The path is pleasant and easy, and, to top it all off, we found a nice spot to have a bite to eat.

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gigi66
gigi66

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

End of the hike in the sunshine. Take precautions if you do it in summer.

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toto11
toto11

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Pleasant route

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11LoCo
11LoCo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with no elevation gain, done with the family (7-year-old child who is a good walker), with a picnic at the Herminis lock! Very few paved roads and little traffic anyway, the rest is on pleasant paths. The map and directions are easy to follow, and we were able to enjoy the beautiful autumn scenery and the Canal du Midi for several kilometres. Very few people around in autumn despite the school holidays and sunny weather. We'll be back in another season!

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randodanslaude
randodanslaude

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Hello, we followed the directions to do this route.
Overall, they are good and clear, but it is a little confusing for (1). Here is what I would suggest: The D33 crosses the Canal du Midi. Here, if you wish, you can make a round trip to the village of Sauzens (a total of 800 metres). Then retrace your steps, cross the canal on the bridge and turn right onto the path that runs along the canal on your left...
A very pleasant walk.

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Jacques Valette
Jacques Valette

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

Nice walk along the canal... the locks are interesting... the view of the Pyrenees should be worth it, but we walked under cloudy skies despite the tramontane wind...

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megavril
megavril

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant hike in all seasons

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django24
django24

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 10, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant route with little elevation gain. There are few signposts, but fortunately the map is very detailed.

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SiobanS
SiobanS

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2018
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

We really enjoyed this short walk, which took us 2 hours and 10 minutes at a leisurely pace. We started at point 1 and did it backwards, so that we could save the canal for last. The fields (which we crossed first) also offer beautiful views.

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