The Moncassin circular loop

Car park at the entrance to the village of Moncassin.

(S/E) Head west through the village to the end of the road.
Turn left onto the path leading to the castle mound and climb to the very top for a beautiful view.

(1) Then head back down the same path to the village road. Follow the road back towards the village for about thirty metres.
Turn right onto the downhill path until you reach a road at a place called Caillots
Turn right and carry on straight ahead, passing the junction.

(2) At the three-way junction, take the small road branching off to the left. Carry on straight ahead to Lapalu Castle. Turn left for a few metres.

(3) Turn right, passing by the château. Follow this road, which takes a right-angle bend to the right. Continue to the next bend.

(4) Follow the road as it bends to the left and carry on along this track. Pass Lamajestère Farm. Carry on until you reach a junction with a track suitable for vehicles on the left.

(5) Take the track on the left which leads down to the river: the Petite Baïse. Follow the path which runs alongside the river until you reach a road.

(6) Once on the road, head straight ahead, pass in front of Pican Castle and continue up the road to the ridge. Ignore all roads to the left; pass in front of Verdier Farm. Continue to the junction.

(7) Turn left onto the downhill road. At the first junction, turn right onto the small uphill track. Pass the hamlet of Le Tajan and continue straight on along the track suitable for vehicles. Carry on until you reach the next junction.

(8) Take the path on the right leading downhill and stay on this path until you reach a tarmac road. Turn left at the hamlet known as La Guitare. Follow the road until you reach a very sharp bend to the right.

(9) At the bend, take the track suitable for vehicles that leads straight ahead. Continue along this track until you reach the small copse on the left. Walk alongside it, then at the end, turn left and follow the edge of the copse downhill. Near the pond, turn right and walk alongside the water’s edge until you reach a tarmac road.

(10) Turn right onto the tarmac road, pass the hamlet of Loubère and continue downhill to the junction with the D237.

(11) Turn right and continue for a few metres, then take the path on the left. Cross the bridge over the Ruisseau du Galinon, then follow the stream on your right until you reach the junction with a tarmac road.

(12) Cross the road, take the footbridge on the right which crosses the stream, then follow the stream on your left. At the junction of the paths opposite the embankment, take the path leading off to the left which joins a tarmac road.

(13) Follow this road to the right, then leave it to take a track suitable for vehicles which heads uphill to the right. Continue along this track, which goes round the water reservoir. Carry on downhill and cross a stream, then head back up the track opposite until you reach the tarmac road.

(14) At the road, turn right, then at the junction turn left to reach the village of Moncassin. (S/E)

Shortcut option: At (4) on the bend, a path branches off to the right; this uphill path takes you back to the route at the junction on the ridge, 400m before (9). Circular route of 10.5km.

- Make sure you have a map of the route, as there are not signposts along the entire route.

- Avoid this walk in very hot weather.

Panoramic view from the castle mound at the start.