The trail from Besmaux to Pavie

The path you are about to take linked the bastide of Pavie to the hamlet of Besmaux, which was only a modest seigneury until François de Monlezun, like other Gascons, left to seek his fortune in Paris.

Details

292084
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Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.29 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 179 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 179 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 218 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 138 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Gers (32)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.606981° / E 0.591052°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 1843SB
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

(S/E) Departure in front of the Jean Jaurès public primary school, Chemin de Fleurian. Opposite the school, take Chemin de Besmeaux to the crossroads.

(1) Turn right and follow Chemin de la Hount de Long. Enter the cul-de-sac and continue straight ahead along the shaded path. Walk along the hedge, turn left and continue towards the relay antenna.

(2) After the pond, follow the hedge and go down the tarmac road on the right, then continue straight ahead at the crossroads.

(3) Just before the metal bridge, turn left and follow the Sousson stream for 1.5 km. Go up to the left along a hedge to reach the Scots pine forest on the right.

(4) Enter the Bois des Coumettes on the left and take the botanical path on the right. After climbing a hairpin bend, turn right to reach the picnic area. Continue straight ahead.

(5) Turn right onto the tarmac road, then immediately left to cross a copse. Go up to the left along the road for 100 metres and enter the Bois du Pin on the left. Follow the marked path, which turns left. At the end of the woods, take the road on the left for 80 metres.

(6) Turn right into the Bois de Besmaux and follow the network of paths. After the abandoned pidgeon hunting hut, descend to the right and then climb back up to reach the equestrian centre behind the Château de Besmaux. Pass in front of the stables.

(7) Turn right onto the road and continue for about 1 km until you reach "Bernard Jouan". Follow the path on the left and rejoin the route you took on the way there at the relay antenna.

(2) Turn right onto the same route as on the way there until you reach the school (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 141 m - Jean Jaurès Public Elementary School. Near the - Gers (rivière)
  2. 1 : km 0.1 - alt. 145 m - Turn right towards the antenna
  3. 2 : km 1.75 - alt. 198 m - Turn right onto the tarmac road.
  4. 3 : km 2.51 - alt. 140 m - Metal bridge, on the left along the - Sousson (ruisseau) - Affluent du Gers
  5. 4 : km 3.84 - alt. 144 m - Turn left towards the woods.
  6. 5 : km 4.99 - alt. 185 m - Turn right onto the tarmac road.
  7. 6 : km 6.22 - alt. 189 m - Enter the Bois de Besmaux on the right.
  8. 7 : km 8.39 - alt. 204 m - Equestrian centre
  9. S/E : km 11.29 - alt. 141 m - Jean Jaurès Public Primary School

Worth a visit

A musketeer of the king, he was governor of the Bastille for 39 years under Louis XIV, became considerably wealthy and was responsible for the development of the estate and the château. The route will take you to the banks of the Sousson and then through the forests of this estate with original tree species brought back from America.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 11 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.2 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
ritournelle
ritournelle

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Shaded route to be done in the morning on hot days in the forest. Pay attention to the markings, as there are many mountain bike trails and logging roads.

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Jch31
Jch31

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 28, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great route. Lots of shaded sections. A magnificent forest/park.

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Domipk31
Domipk31

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty route with very little tarmac. The park's remarkable trees have aged badly or fallen down. We did this route seven years ago and they were much more beautiful then. The trails in the woods are superb, one after the other, with lots of single tracks, but the description and GPS route in the Besmaux woods are insufficient and inaccurate. When we tried to follow the GPS route, we ended up on abandoned paths blocked by fallen trees. It is better to follow the yellow markings, which are significantly different from the Visorando route but very pleasant in the forest.
There are many possible variations, as there are so many paths to choose from. It's a magnificent place to explore and create new hikes!
Dominique, Le Pourquoi Pas 31 club, Toulouse

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Ji-esse
Ji-esse

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful walk. Between the directions and the description of the site, it is impossible to get lost.

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Dill
Dill

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful circular, shaded trails with stunning views. Between points 6 and 7, be careful not to get lost in the Bois de Besmaux, as there are many trails crossing the path and the GPS signal is unreliable.

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BUCCIA
BUCCIA

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 16, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, enjoyable hike with little tarmac and a few points of interest (drawer tree and wooden cannons). Don't miss the interesting series of old cork oaks, which are quite rare in our region, and the magnificent sequoias on the left before the lake. I've scouted the route and my group will certainly enjoy it.
Thanks to the author.

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jeannot32
jeannot32

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Follow the signs, mostly shaded route, very pleasant. 12 km and 3 hours.
Thanks to Pavie for the signposts.

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laurent-g
laurent-g

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

A pleasant walk. I can confirm that you should follow the PR markings, which are very clear (starting from the school car park). You don't need a map, just follow the signs at each intersection (and thanks to the volunteers from Pavie at the start of the route; the path up through the hedge is wide but would quickly become overgrown without maintenance). At the end of the circular, you walk along the boundary wall of a house, then you have to cross the field (uncultivated, or walk along it) to reach the start of the circular and the way back.

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gazok54
gazok54 ★

Thank you very much for this important information, which I hope will be read by the author with a view to adapting the description.

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baroudeur lhermois
baroudeur lhermois

Hello gazok54,

The paths that are well maintained are the ones that are marked, and if you follow the trail, you risk trespassing on private property. In fact, near Baque, if you follow the trail, the owner will come out and tell you off. I was with a group of 20 people and I understand his position. The main changes are in the areas around the castle and at a place called "Bernard Jouan". It is best to go around the house because the owner has closed everything off. I am providing this information for the benefit of hikers so that, without GPS and by following the brand new, very well-marked trail, they can enjoy a beautiful hike that follows the trail 80% of the way.

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gazok54
gazok54 ★
• Edited:

Hello, fellow adventurer
Why are you mentioning signposting when the author doesn't even mention it? With Visorando, it's the description and the route that you need to follow. We have no control over the signposting.

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baroudeur lhermois
baroudeur lhermois

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 29, 2018
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing

The route has been re-marked and there are deviations on the second part of the route.

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Thierry E1.
Thierry E1.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 03, 2017
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A splendid route that is not to be missed, offering superb views of Auch and its cathedral. What's more, the walk through the Bois des Besmaux forest with its impressive trees is a must-see. The path is very well maintained by the PAVIE hiking group.
Thierry from POURQUOI PAS in Toulouse

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lafage
lafage

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2016
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Pleasant and very parish specific to Brittany walk, nothing to report. Just follow the signs and everything will be fine.

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