From the dam on the Ceize to the Pech-Haut solar farm in Villegly

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The tour of the photovoltaic park offers an almost 360° panorama. From Salsigne to Villeneuve via Villanière and its mine shaft, Limousis, Sallèles-Cabardès and Marmonières.

Details

n°214498
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.37 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 149 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 141 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 307 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 178 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Villegly (11600)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.294285° / E 2.425102°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2345E
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Photos

Technical section
The ruins
At the top
The Roman dam

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the lake north-east of Conques-sur-Orbiel.

(S/E) Leave the car park and take the path heading north-west.

(1) After 350 metres, turn left. Continue for 100 metres and take the path on the right. Continue along this path, which passes under a power line, and turn right until you reach the entrance to the solar farm.

(2) Turn left and enjoy part of the view, then take the path that climbs to the right along the park fence to a platform. Enjoy the new view. Continue around the park to start the return journey. Leave the path that ends the tour of the solar farm on your right and continue straight ahead on the path, passing under the power line again.

(3) Take the road opposite to rejoin the path you took on the way out and return to the original intersection.

(1) Return to the car park (S/E) by retracing your steps.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 178 m - Lake car park
  2. 1 : km 0.34 - alt. 197 m - Fork in the road
  3. 2 : km 2.5 - alt. 282 m - Climb up along the fence.
  4. 3 : km 4.59 - alt. 186 m - Road opposite
  5. S/E : km 5.37 - alt. 178 m - Lake car park

Notes

Good footwear is always essential and in summer a hat should prevent heatstroke.

The hike climbs for the first half of the route, with the return journey mainly downhill. The path is very stony but passable, with three or four slightly technical sections for beginners.

Worth a visit

The walk should be done in good weather. Its main attraction lies in the charm of its panoramic views.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 8 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Danielpetit10309
Danielpetit10309

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The descent is indeed quite dangerous and should not be attempted if it has rained recently.

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Denis N1.
Denis N1.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful views.

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Jouy
Jouy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike offering varied panoramic views of the nearby Montagne Noire, the Pyrenees and the Aude plain. With a little patience, you may find some shellfish or snail fossils and finish with a picnic in the shade near the small lake at the start and end of the trail.

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Gavatx 11
Gavatx 11

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant family walk; it's worth stopping off at the lake at the end of the route.

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nanarddu11
nanarddu11
• Edited:

As the author of this hike, I did it again on 8 February 2019. I must warn future hikers that following the severe weather at the end of 2018, the paths have been seriously damaged by erosion. The walk is still feasible, but some sections on the way back need to be negotiated with caution.
Enjoy your walk.
Best regards

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The user account associated with this content has been deleted.

oxilame
oxilame
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

What a lovely circular! I had some difficulty finding the dam when passing through Conques. I think the best approach is as follows:
From Carcassonne, head towards Villegly, drive through Villegly to the last roundabout, go around it and drive back 100 metres. On the right, there is a small sign that says
"Barrage Muraille". Take this road, which crosses back through the village.
At the end of the street, do not turn right up to the housing estate, but continue straight ahead for 250 metres. At the first intersection, leave the lookout point in front of you and turn right. There is another lookout point further on, then it's straight ahead.

Thank you for this discovery, the dam is very beautiful and unexpected here. The view is superb. On the way up, there is an old ruined farmhouse tucked away in a hollow for those who are curious. The descent is also very good, there are two steep passages without any great difficulty, and the crossing of the stream at the bottom is beautiful.
The route is marked with a yellow line from halfway up the climb.

It's an ideal route for keeping up your pace and staying in shape , thank you Nanardu11.

(Question: the yellow markings that indicate the various hikes are fading on the trees and even on the trail. I often redo the hikes to get a time. Do you think it would be possible to redo the markings identically with spray paint?)

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DaniL
DaniL

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 05, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Machine-translated

DaniL
DaniL

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

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