Labruguière walks

This walk allows you to explore the hills of Labruguière, comprising small limestone plateaus to the north and wooded countryside to the south. You climb towards the Montagne Noire, which often dominates the southern backdrop of the landscapes in this department. This is the realm of the forest, composed of both deciduous and coniferous trees. Its peaks are gentle and varied: moors, forests and meadows share the view of the sky.

A short, unpretentious walk, accessible to all but with some interesting views.

From Caucalières to Caucalières via Payrin, a walk in the fresh air.

There is a pretty waterfall to see, unless there is a drought like the one in 2022.

Walk starting from Payrin. Walk through the old village, then head towards the Causse, with lovely views, varied vegetation and a peaceful atmosphere. A hike of moderate difficulty due to the hilly terrain.

A pleasant walk, especially when the Autan wind is blowing, as you will be sheltered from the wind. Varied landscapes and views of the Montagne Noire and the Castres plain enliven this route. Paths and trails will take you to the foot of the Sidobre, then back via the hamlet of Fialessuch and the Roc de Peyremaure.

Discover the Lézert stream, which flows through a mass of large granite boulders. The path winds its way up through the boulder field in a damp, cool forest, even in summer. To avoid a return journey, head back via a small, traffic-free road that allows you to make a short detour to see the precariously balanced Roc du Baptistou.

A circuit through the woods following the crystal-clear Rivaillou stream! Discover the natural beauty of the Tarn, the ruins of Clauzet and the beautiful village of Boissezon. You will also discover the Virgin of Salette and the textile factories.

A haven of freshness a few kilometres from Castres. A walk that will reveal its undergrowth and its stream with a stepped waterfall. Not marked, many paths, follow the description carefully. The Visorando app will be a great help.

A beautiful, undulating route that passes through four places dedicated to the four saints of Dourgne: Saint-Macaire and his healing spring, Saint-Stapin the giant, Saint-Chipoli or Saint-Hippolyte, Saint-Ferréol and his Capelette.

This is a round trip to visit the hilltop village of Hautpoul, discovering the Mazamet footbridge that leads there. The footbridge offers breathtaking views of the Arnette valley. This route takes you along the Chemin de la Jamarié, an old salt road and Roman road, until you reach the footbridge.

The loop represents a journey through history on the heights of Pont-de-l'Arn. On the plateau, a path, water and memories... This circuit passes through the open hills overlooking Pont-de-Larn. The Pas des Bêtes lake reveals itself in a wooded, fairy-tale setting. The journey ends with two menhir statues standing at the side of the path, witnesses to a civilisation from the late Neolithic period.

Route through the Montagne Noire, with superb panoramic views of the Lauragais, the village of Dourgne and Sainte-Scholastique, places of worship (Quatre Saints) and magnificent pine forests.

A lovely climb up a steep gorge leads to the dry grasslands of the Désert de Saint-Ferréol, where La Capelette stands proudly overlooking a vast landscape.

Breathtaking panoramic views steeped in history and legend. 02/08/2023 Message from the moderator: Change to the route at point 11 to continue on thePR® and avoid En Crouzilles, which is private property.

A very pleasant route with beautiful views of Roquecourbe on one side and the Montagne Noire on the other. A beautiful path along the Agout between Carla and Les Salvages, built on an old aqueduct from the town of Castres. Magnificent shaded paths lined with chestnut trees cross pastoral areas.

This trail runs south of Hautpoul through varied landscapes, a forest with multiple species and ever-changing flora. Your efforts to reach its heart will be rewarded by the discovery of this magnificent and picturesque little medieval village. At the foot of the Virgin perched on her rock, you will have access to a superb panorama. There are several historical sites, in particular Saint-Pierre des Plots. See warning at the beginning of the description

This is a circular route that takes you over the Mazamet footbridge, avoiding the crowds. At the end of the hike, there will be a few people around the Maison du Bois et du Jouet, where the activities will be greatly appreciated by young and old alike.

A walk through the woods to the Saut de la Truite waterfall from Burlats. The path starts with an uphill climb, offering spectacular views of the town of Burlats and its surroundings. After the climb, you will walk through nature before gradually returning to civilisation. To reach the Saut de la Truite waterfall, you will need to take a short stretch of road (with little traffic).

Hike with elevation gain, marked in yellow at intervals, which will allow you to use the Hautpoul footbridge opened at the end of 2018 and cross the medieval village of the same name. There is a tricky section between points (6) and (7) where recent tree felling has more or less destroyed the mapped paths and removed the markers.

Explore the countryside around Fréjeville.

Very pleasant trail between water and forest followed by a themed trail on the peat bog with explanatory panels. Ideal in hot weather, very shady trail (except for the dyke).

This hike is a little longer than the one suggested by the Tarn Tourist Office, which starts from Saint-Salvy. This alternative starting point allows you to see the Chaos de la Balme and the Chapeau de Napoléon, famous landmarks in the Sidobre. On a clear day, this hike offers beautiful views of the Montagne Noire, the Pyrenees in the background and beautiful fields dotted with rocks.

This is a pleasant walk in all seasons, with pretty panoramic views and fairly good signposting. First follow the signs for "Petite boucle" (small circular) then "Plôts des Drulhes". Some parts of the route cross private property, so please respect it.

Hike in the Sidobre massif in the Tarn, a major trail in Sidobre that can be enjoyed again and again by young and old alike.A journey imagined and illustrated by the village children, based on the rocks and legends of Sidobre.Set off to discover the famous rocks of Sidobre, such as Napoleon's Hat and Chaos de la Balme, in the middle of the undergrowth, following in the footsteps of the main legends of the area and the remains left by the stone cutters of the early20th century.

Here is a variation on the "Lac de Laprade, around the lake" hike. This variation avoids the climb up the paved road to the village of Laprade Basse. It allows you to visit the Laprade peat bogs and enjoy a pleasant walk on pontoons.

From Lac de Laprade Basse in the commune of Cuxac-Cabardès, "Let's go for a walk in the woods to see if the wolf is there!" In fact, let's set off to explore the Loubatière National Forest, from the Dure River, which feeds the lake, to the Linon Stream, which joins it upstream from Montolieu. Beneath centuries-old trees stand the ruins of an old Carthusian monastery abandoned long before the Revolution, due, among other things, to wolves... which have since been replaced by deer.

A walk entirely through the woodland of the Forêt de La Loubatière. Following paths and tracks, without ever walking on tarmac, you will follow the Ruisseau de Fraïssègne, one of the streams feeding into Lac de la Galaube, along whose eastern arm you will walk.

Semi-shaded route in the Montagne Noire, with beautiful views of the Revel and Puylaurens valley and the Pyrenees. Forest of fir, pine and beech trees, moors of ferns and ash trees. Little elevation gain. Most of this hike follows unmarked paths, even if you come across some markings. Only take these into account when they are mentioned in the description.

This route allows you to climb up to the Sainte-Julianne excavation site.

A circular that will take you around the Tuileries and Mas d'Enfau for some views of the village of Roquecourbe.

A gentle walk in the shade for the first third of the route. No difficulty. Tarmac road for 20% of the route and wide paths for the rest.

A circular route on the plateau above Arfons via the Croix des Fangasses, the Croix de Montalric and the Montalric orientation table. Magnificent view over the entire Revelois and Puylaurentais plains as well as the Pyrenees. GPS essential for this hike.

The walk remains entirely in the forest and is completely off-road. Wear suitable footwear as the route is very stony.

Forest hike to the Cuxac-Cabardès wind farm, above the Dure valley, and almost complete tour of Lake Laprade Basse via the recently constructed path that avoids the D101 between the hamlet and the dam dyke (see info).

A lovely day-long horse ride through the Sidobre rock formations, starting from the Écuries de la Sabatarié. A stop in the morning at Lac du Merle to water the horses. A few safety precautions to bear in mind:- Be vigilant when crossing roads (including the busy D622).- The rocks are not slippery for horses in principle (granite), but always remain vigilant when crossing them.

Hike in the forest, almost always marked in yellow. Short off-trail excursion on paths not marked on the map. In autumn, you may be lucky enough to find some porcini mushrooms.

The Rigole de la Montagne again. But this time you won’t be walking alongside it. You’ll go round it on a route that’s shaded all the way. The return along the road is a bit long, but you can walk on the verges if you don’t like tarmac.

This hike will allow you to discover the main attractions (granite rocks with surprising shapes) of Sidobre. Moderator's rating Some difficulties with orientation on this route, see reviews

This circuit combines the pleasures of walking with those of a picnic by the water. The Sidobre rocks are a curiosity worth discovering. Lac du Merle is a haven of peace and enchantment where you can relax in the summer heat. It is a beautiful spot with rocks rising out of the water, giving you the feeling of walking on air.

In hot weather, here’s a short, shaded walk in the Loubatière State Forest along paths not necessarily marked on the IGN map but very pleasant to walk along with little elevation gain. The route shares a section with the Lacombe PR°°®°° trail

From Ramondens Castle, follow in the footsteps of P.P. Riquet as you discover the ingenious water supply system for his “Canal des Deux Mers”, established over four centuries ago in the Montagne Noire, before reaching the Lampy Neuf Reservoir, subsequently created to provide the extra water needed for the Canal de Jonction, the link between the Canal du Midi and the Canal de la Robine in Narbonne. Please take care on a section of the route that goes off the beaten track (further details in the description)

Nestled between Lake Galaube and Lake Laprade Basse, the Loubatière State Forest covers 450 hectares. It is located in the western part of the vast forest that covers the southern slope of the Montagne Noire in the Aude department. A single, completely wooded area, this forest, which ranges in altitude from 660 to 885 metres, forms the headwaters of the Linon stream. In autumn, it offers a dream setting for hikers in search of mushrooms and chestnuts, with the golden colours of oak, beech, birch and chestnut leaves carpeting the ground. This is the ideal playground for an easy walk starting from the hamlet of Cals Haut, part of the commune of Lacombe, between Saissac and Les Martys.

Balade vers le Parc éolien d'Arfons-Sor, situé sur la commune d'Arfons, depuis le château de Ramondens, qui a été un temps la propriété de P.P Riquet, et siège maintenant du CCAS d'EDF qui y organise des colonies de vacances pour les enfants. Le parcours, sans balisage (ou presque), se situe entièrement dans la Forêt Domaniale de la Montagne Noire, au Nord du torrent de l'Alzeau, "frontière" naturelle entre Aude et Tarn, à deux pas de la célèbre Prise d'Alzeau. Après l'arrêt à une ancienne cabane de pisciculture, réaménagée par l'ONF, le retour s'effectue par le vallon de Bergnassonne pour retrouver le château de Ramondens.

A lovely walk, almost entirely through woodland, sheltered from the wind and direct sunlight. La Combe Haute is an old, abandoned property now in ruins.

A refreshing walk in the Montagne Noire from the small village of Lacombe (11310) to the Ramondens national forest (Tarn) with a picnic stop near the retaining dyke of the St-Denis basin. Return via the right bank of the Alzeau and passage at the Prise d'Alzeau, source of the Canal du Midi, before climbing back up to Lacombe. Walk checked on 18/06/23. A few details have been added by the author

360 years ago, Pierre Paul Riquet had the trial trench for the Canal du Midi dug. The official purpose of this small diversion canal was to prove that large quantities of water could be brought from the Montagne Noire to the Naurouze threshold, where the planned navigation canal would have its "dividing point", its highest watercourse. However, for Riquet, the stakes were much higher: he also wanted to prove that he was fully capable of managing a project as large as the gigantic structure he had planned. To convince Colbert and the commission responsible for examining the feasibility of the project, he offered to finance the test canal himself and only be reimbursed if the objectives were achieved... Theoutcome proved this stubborn man right! This walk takes you on a journey of discovery to find traces of this "Rigole d'Essai" in the Alzeau valley, starting from the village of Lacombe. Parking is available opposite the town hall.

Walk along forest paths towards the Bois de la Serre Haute and the Forêt Domaniale de la Loubatière from Lacombe, stopping at the source of the Canal du Midi, the Prise d'Alzeau, before following the left bank of the Lac de la Galaube. The route is marked locally (yellow line). It is taken in the opposite direction to the description with a few modifications for greater comfort (descent at the end of the route).

An easy hike, ideal for those who love peace and quiet and walking in the forest, offering a gentle introduction to the Montagne Noire and the Massif de Nore. The route combines sunken paths lined with beautiful hawthorn and holly hedges, clearings, pastures and large forest areas where spruce trees grow alongside deciduous trees. A breath of fresh air on the outskirts of Mazamet.

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.

Rock formations perched on the slopes, torrents of stones rushing down the ravines, enigmatic granite sculptures under the canopy of trees. The Sidobre is a place of discovery: around every bend in the path, in every clearing, and for everyone, according to their imagination.

A lovely circular route taking you round the hamlets near the Parenthèse lodges in the forest. Please follow the directions in the description carefully as we are unable to mark the route. You will come across a water source (stream) halfway along the route.

Three quarters of the hike is sheltered from the sun and wind by the beech forest (mainly). Wear good shoes as the trail is often muddy with some stream crossings that are more or less maintained. Foresters have cleared the trail, which creates some large puddles, but these can always be avoided by walking along the edges of the forest.

This region, between Mazamet and Castres, is extraordinary for its accumulation of granite boulders, left in all directions by nature. The walk is always sheltered from the sun and wind, and there is no tarmac. I am making an exception to my rule of ignoring the markings left on rocks and trees. This walk is well signposted, but only pay attention to the FFR markings. White and red lines for theGR® and yellow lines elsewhere.

On the watershed between the Aude and Tarn rivers, we follow in the footsteps of P.P. Riquet once again, discovering other water resources that enabled this self-taught engineer to demonstrate to the experts sent by Colbert the merits of his project to supply his Canal des Deux Mers. However, the forest remains present on this easy route, and Arfons, with its slate roofs, is a picturesque little village in the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park.

The proximity of the lake for cooling off, the deciduous forest for a shaded walk and the very passable paths, despite a few fords along the route, ensure a very pleasant time even with children.

The Pic de Nore is the highest point and iconic summit of the Montagne Noire, with its transmitter visible for dozens of kilometres around. The circuit described here allows you to make the ascent without any difficulty, passing by several exceptional viewpoints over the Pyrenees. Two menhirs along the way and a visit to the old ice houses in Pradelles-Cabardès are a pleasant addition to this varied hike at medium altitude.

From the dam, head towards the Montagne Noire Natural Park for a hike in the forest and along the river. After a short wet crossing and a final easy climb, the arrival point reveals a magnificent view of the dam.

A very pleasant walk, almost entirely through forest. Wide, easily passable paths and superb views of the lake and dam.

A circular route through the Nore National Forest, passing through the Nore gate and the Pic de Nore, also known as the little Ventoux for its climate and its red and white telecommunications tower. The climb through the conifer and beech forests is gentle, but the descent to Pradelles-Cabardès is steep! In winter, it is possible to do all or part of the route on snowshoes, depending on snow conditions. Be careful, there is a ford to cross!

Facing the Pic de Nore, which saw the Tour de France pass through in 2018, the wind turbines installed on Mont Sarrat and spread across the municipalities of Pradelles-Cabardès and Cabrespine immediately catch the eye. TheGR®36, coming from Pic de Nore, winds its way at the foot of the masts before plunging towards Carcassonne via the Pas de Montsarrat, an ancient "Roman" communication route. The short length of the route offers the opportunity to extend the hike along the lake (see practical information).

A fantastic hike starting from Lake Pradelles-Cabardès leading to Pic de Nore, the highest peak of the Montagne Noire, with its breathtaking 360° view stretching from Hérault to Tarn via Aude, Pyrénées Orientales, Ariège and Haute Garonne.