From Carmaux to Albi under the sign of coal

Departure from Carmaux station.

(S) Cross the level crossing to the north and follow the RD90.

(1) At the roundabout, turn left onto the^GR®®36(the sign for Albi 16km and 4 hours is incorrect), which is flanked by a cycle path. Follow it to the waste collection centre.

(2) Turn left almost 180°, then right 90°, go under one road, then a second.

(3) Turn left onto a path that goes around a solar panel park and leads to the old Cap Découverte open-cast mine.

(4) Go around it on the left and pass in front of the reception and games buildings.

(5) At the end of the buildings, turn left onto a road that leads to the roundabout providing access to the site's car park.

(6) After passing under a road bridge, turn left (do not follow the cycle path), then quickly right to cross the old slag heaps. Take a zigzagging path downhill to reach the cycle path below.

(7) Follow it, then continue on a white path and go around a second solar panel park on the ground.

(8) At its south-western end, continue along the white path, passing in front of Saint-Dalmazy Church and its cemetery. Continue along the bottom of the valley on this path, which was once a metre-gauge railway line transporting coal to Albi station.

(9) At the junction with a road near an electrical substation, continue straight ahead along the edge of the road with caution (no memory of a pavement).

(10) When you reach the northern suburbs of Albi (Pélissier district), take the street on the right, then turn left at the next T-junction onto Chemin de las Bories.

(11) At the crossroads after the swimming pool, turn right onto Rue Chaban-Delmas, then right again onto Rue Malraux.

(12) Cross the roundabout carefully (pedestrian crossing) and go up Rue du Capitaine Julia to the railway line.

(13) Do not cross the level crossing, but walk along the railway line, turning right. Walk past the cemetery.

(14) At the corner of the cemetery, turn right into the car park. Walk along the southern boundary wall and enter the leisure park. Walk around it anti-clockwise along the Tarn and continue along Rue de la Mothe. Pass under the railway line.

(15) At the intersection, turn right onto Rue Rinaldi and cross the Tarn.

(16) At the end of the bridge, go up Quai Choiseul on the right and reach Place de la Cathédrale Sainte-Cécile. Cross this square and visit the brick cathedral.

(17) Go down Boulevard Salengro on the left and follow it as it curves to the right and then to the left.
At the roundabout, continue straight ahead onto Rue Rouquier, then continue straight ahead onto Rue Giraud to reach Place de la Gare d'Albi (E).

A day hike, taking advantage of a train station at the start and finish, or a multi-day hike on the^GR®®36.

Old mines near Carmaux and associated history (museums).

Albi: Sainte-Cécile Cathedral and Episcopal Palace.