Les Collines du Vent de Mas-Saintes-Puelles à Fendeille

Departure from the water tower/relay antenna on the heights of Mas-Saintes-Puelles (towards Cumiès): park on the fairly wide shoulder.

Yellow and blue markings.

(S) Take the path downhill: sign no. 4 marks the entrance to this path, which is closed to motor vehicles.

(1) At the bottom, follow the small road to the right. After 400 m, take the first path to the right and go up into the woods.

(2) At the top, continue along the ridge through the woods, keeping straight ahead.

(3) On the short descent at Pech des Carmes, turn right at the power line. Then, after the ridge offering a 360° panoramic view, continue straight ahead downhill.

(4) After the Pique-Mil antenna, on the descent towards the village, turn left onto the footpath to stay on the hill. After the sign for Clément Ader, head towards the orientation table to enjoy the breathtaking view of Castelnaudary and the Lauragais.

(5) After this panoramic break, go back 50 m to continue the descent towards Villeneuve via the footpath, then the very steep street that leads to the water station.

(6) Take the street on the right, which continues downhill. Cross the RD624 (take care) and continue straight on along Passage de l'Autan. At the end of the street, turn right and cross the bridge over the river.

(7) At the crossroads, keep right and immediately turn left onto the path by the beautiful plane tree. At the end of this path, which offers a beautiful view of the church, take the street on the right and, after 30 metres, climb the paved slanting street on the left towards the church.

(8) Pass behind the church on the left, then go straight on Rue du Château and, after 20 m, turn right onto Rue du Monument. At Place Carnot, turn right, then immediately left at the nurses' office onto Rue de la Fontaine.

(9) Take Rue des Écoles to the left. After 80 metres, behind the village hall, turn left towards sign no. 5 and continue up Rue als Molis towards the mill. Take the protected path and enjoy the view.

(10) At the top, follow the ridge straight ahead and enjoy the exceptional 360° view.

(11) At the last hill, which is the highest (aptly named Pech Haut at an altitude of 326 m), enjoy one last 360° view before starting the descent towards Fendeille, continuing straight ahead. Almost at the bottom, in front of the ruined wall of the castle grounds, turn left and follow this wall to the protected crossing on the RD6, which marks the entrance to the village of Fendeille (E).

This hike requires one vehicle at the start and a second at the finish.

- In Villeneuve-la-Comptal along the route: public toilets behind the village hall.
- In Fendeille at the finish: picnic tables and car park next to the village hall.

• Site of the hill where Clément Ader tested his prototype aeroplane: this episode in scientific history is explained on an educational panel and an orientation table provides information about the panorama.
• In the village of Villeneuve-la-Comptal: church.
• Reconstructed mill above the village of Villeneuve-la-Comptal.
• Numerous panoramic views from the high points of the particularly spectacular ridge line.
• In Fendeille: castle grounds offering a beautiful place to walk and admire the trees, a medieval tower and a castle rebuilt in the 18th century, which now houses the village school.