La Rigole via the Prise d'Alzeau

The walk is always in the shade and sheltered by very large beech and oak trees. There is practically no elevation gain as you follow the water.

Details

424577
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.05 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 44 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 44 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 656 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 612 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Leave the village of Fontiers-Cabardès via the north-west. At each junction, take the road on the left and look for signs for "Prise d'Alzeau". Simply follow these signs. You will arrive at the end of the road in front of a restaurant. You can park your cars along the road, although there is not much space. Consider carpooling!

(S/E) Leave your cars, head towards the restaurant and immediately turn left onto the small wooden bridge over the Alzeau. You are now on the track that runs alongside the canal. Follow it for about 2.5 km.

(1) Leave the return trail on your left and you will come to a wooden barrier just before a fork in the road. This barrier is only for cars. Turn right onto the road and continue to the Cabanelles bridge over the canal.

(2) Turn around to go back to the barrier and follow the track for a few dozen metres.

(1) Turn right onto a path that will take you downhill to the bottom of the Alzeau valley. You will come to a crossroads of paths and a road.

(3) Continue straight ahead and follow the course of the Alzeau river on your right. Continue along this path until you come back up onto the track. Cross the bridge again and you will arrive at the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 656 m - Along the road in front of the restaurant
  2. 1 : km 2.69 - alt. 645 m - Crossroads with the return trail
  3. 2 : km 3.1 - alt. 644 m - Pont des Cabanelles - Rougeanne (rivière)
  4. 3 : km 4.52 - alt. 612 m - Two paths and a road, straight ahead
  5. S/E : km 6.05 - alt. 656 m - Along the road in front of the restaurant

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 8 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
User 3261161

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy walk, shaded for almost the entire route.
On the way there, you will follow a wide path along a stream
On the way back, the path is sometimes narrow and poorly maintained, but it gradually improves and then runs alongside the Alzeau river to the water intake (starting point).
To extend this walk, don't hesitate to take a small path up the right bank of the Alzeau to La Galaube.
Cross over the Alzeau (road bridge), go through the hamlet and turn right onto a wide path that will take you back to the starting point near the restaurant.
This route along the Alzeau requires some caution, especially in the last section.

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Regine0203
Regine0203

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Great for people who aren't keen walkers. Very pleasant, shaded paths, perfect for an afternoon or morning stroll.

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buphil60
buphil60

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 12, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is an easy, short walk, but be careful when you reach the top of the path running alongside the stream, as you will need to descend a path on the left leading into the woods to return to the starting point where the restaurant is located.

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Dodo11
Dodo11

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in the cool shade of the trees and along the water's edge. We carried on to Saissac to see the village, its castle and the beautiful view.

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mariedo
mariedo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short, easy and pleasant hike. The site is very shady and cool, which is appreciated in hot weather.
The outward journey is along a wide path that follows the mountain stream, so the elevation gain is negligible. It is not very busy and is even possible by bicycle.
The return journey is along a path that is narrow in places. The elevation gain remains reasonable.
The Alzeau water intake site is charming, and the information boards provide details about Pierre-Paul Riquet, the channel and the Canal du Midi.
As we were coming from Toulouse, we were closer to the Cabanelles car park (D 408 from Saissac) and did the walk in the other direction.
We really enjoyed this walk.

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bea11
bea11

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 14, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A lovely nature walk in the middle of the forest, with only the sound of water to hear. What a change of scenery!

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Hpcr
Hpcr
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 13, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A very pleasant little family walk, with plenty of opportunities for picnics, naps or relaxing by the river.

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garbil
garbil

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 06, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

More of a pleasant stroll than a real hike. Best done in summer when the sun is warm, because this walk is under the canopy from start to finish... it's very pleasant and easy...

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