Lake Saint-Denis, Les Cabanelles and Bès

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A pleasant walk through woodland and fields. The lake and the Bès reservoir prove, if proof were needed, that the Montagne Noire is like a sponge. Pierre-Paul Riquet was spot on when he created the Rigole, which feeds the Canal du Midi.

Details

n°830836
Creation:
Last update:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 3.74 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 240 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 253 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,142 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,965 ft
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Photos

The Saint-Denis Lake Dam
The bridge over the Alzeau
The Alzeau
Some notable trees

Description of the walk

In the centre of the village of Saint-Denis, take the D8 towards Lacombe and Fontiers-Cabardès. After the town hall, turn left onto the D308 signposted ‘Bassin de Saint-Denis’. When you reach the dam, cross it and park at the other end in the car park marked on the map.

(S/E) Leave the dam on your right and set off along a wide track to the left heading north-west. Pass the first junction and follow this track through the forest until you reach a wider track suitable for vehicles, bordered by a fairly high wire fence. Continue uphill along the fence until you reach the Rigole de la Montagne and a large wooden beam, which may be open or closed. Go through this barrier, which is intended for vehicles, and follow the Rigole.

(1) After about 150 metres, take a path that descends to the right. Follow this forest path until you reach the Alzeau.

(2) Turn right onto the track and cross the bridge over the Alzeau. Continue along this track, which becomes tarmac after the dairy farm of Régatel.

(3) Pass the hamlet of Bès and rejoin the D53, turning right onto it.

(4) After 200m, turn right again onto a wide, carriageable track. It becomes less well-maintained and eventually turns into a path through the heath. Follow this stony path downwards, ignoring the side paths branching off to the right and left.

(5) At the T-junction, turn right and you’ll reach the dam. Cross it and you’ll come back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 1,978 ft - Dam car park
  2. 1 : mi 0.95 - alt. 2,116 ft - A short path leading down to the right
  3. 2 : mi 1.61 - alt. 2,011 ft - Alzeau Bridge - Rougeanne (rivière)
  4. 3 : mi 2.31 - alt. 2,103 ft - Start of the tarmac road
  5. 4 : mi 2.68 - alt. 2,126 ft - On the right, exit the D53
  6. 5 : mi 3.55 - alt. 2,031 ft - Turn right towards the dam
  7. S/E : mi 3.74 - alt. 1,978 ft - Dam car park

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 4 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
User 16013589

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

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Regine0203
Regine0203

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, ideal for those who don’t fancy covering long distances. A pleasant route combining woodland paths and tracks, perfect even in hot weather… I highly recommend it!!!

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youcan
youcan

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average

A route that’s mostly along forest tracks, but not unpleasant, though not particularly exciting either.

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lippo
lippo

It’s a strange route that bears little resemblance to the original one. One of the beech trees is pictured on the website. As for the tarmac, there must be about 300 metres of it...

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Pierre11
Pierre11

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 10, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

I followed this route from the Prise d’Alzeau, the ‘source’ of the Canal du Midi, joining the route described in point No. 2 at the bridge crossing the torrent. I was able to walk along the embankment of the small Lake Bès, reaching it via the access path to the Co d’Espérou (guesthouse) and then turning left onto what passes for a path (green line on the IGN map) for 200 metres to reach the northern end of the lake. Accessing the lake from the south allows you to rejoin the local signposting (used on this route) to return to the St-Denis basin. At the junction, five beech trees, remarkable for their size, are well worth taking a moment to admire. It’s a shame that the overgrown vegetation prevents you from taking a photo of them.
This alternative route shortens the walk by avoiding a return along the tarmac road (Route de St-Denis) after the houses at Bès.

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↔3.76 mi ↗+144 ft ↘-144 ft ◔1h 50 ▲Easy
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Walking En forêt de Ramondens

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↔6.55 mi ↗+610 ft ↘-636 ft ◔3h 35 ▲Moderate
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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.

Walking The Bois de la Serre Haute

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Le Bois de la Serre Haute
↔6.54 mi ↗+738 ft ↘-735 ft ◔3h 40 ▲Moderate
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Walking Between the forest and the Montagne Noire drainage ditch

Visorando Member
Entre forêt et Rigole en Montagne Noire
↔7.58 mi ↗+774 ft ↘-784 ft ◔4h 10 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Lacombe (Aude)
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

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