Between hills and the Canal du Midi in Montesquieu-Lauragais

Park in the car park in front of the town hall.

(S/E) From the car park in front of the town hall, go down the D11, Rue Côte de la Négra towards the D16. Cross it carefully and continue opposite, on the Route de Villenouvelle, along the Rousanel stream. When you reach the bend, you will see the upstream entrance to the canal bridge hidden in the grass on the right. Continue along this path.

(1) Please note: crossing the lock footbridge is prohibited. Cross the Canal du Midi to make a small circular loop around the waterway buildings, discover the lock and the downstream exit of the canal bridge.

(2) Retrace your steps, without crossing the bridge, and take the Voie Verte (greenway) along the canal bank to the Pont d'en Serny bridge, about 2 km away.

(3) Cross it, go up towards Montesquieu via Impasse des Pradals, cross the D16 with caution and go up Rue d'en Serny to Sol Madame.

(4) Turn right onto Chemin de Ronde, pass under the park bridge and arrive at the crossroads.

(5) Turn right onto Chemin d'en Barou (or d'Ayguevives), go downhill and pass in front of the old well to go back up to the crossroads, leading to the Camarade farm on the right.

(6) Turn right, walk along the right-hand side of the farm (so as not to disturb the residents), continue along the dirt track downhill opposite and arrive at the bottom of the dip in the ground after about 180 metres.

(7) Take a farm track on the left that descends towards Château Roquette. Pass in front of the château (private property) and reach the T-junction.

(8) Turn left onto Chemin de Roquette, at the next crossroads continue straight on Chemin de Coussacou. Follow this road along the ridge for 2 km, arriving at the water tower at a multiple crossroads.

(9) Go around it on the left, pass the crossroads, and take the wide dirt track opposite, between two houses, which slopes slightly upwards. For 350 m, it runs alongside the fence of the houses and then descends. Ignore the entrance to a field on the left and look for the start of a path hidden in the bushes, which curves to the left.

(10) Follow it for 250 metres. It becomes a little more marked, then disappears into the grass at the bottom of the embankment, leading to the Fontaine de Buguet fountain and a wide dirt track.

(11) Turn left to climb back up towards the village, pass Chemin de Ronde and arrive at Rue du Barry.

(12) At the first left turn, take the steeply ascending path on the right behind a low wall, which overlooks and bypasses the village.

(13) On the left, find a narrow passage between two houses that leads to Rue de l'Ancien Petit Fossé. Several staircases in this street lead up to the centre of the village and back to the town hall car park. In this description, we will choose a very narrow, old brick staircase located opposite number 7 on the street. Take Rue des Cathares and then Rue des Plumassières on the right, which runs alongside the local church, to return to the town hall car park (S/E).

This route alternates between dirt tracks and small tarmac roads. In summer, there is very little shade outside the canal banks.

There is a picnic area at the bottom of the car park, with tables.