The Carlus Hills

This route takes you through the countryside north of Albi, between bucolic marl-limestone hills, woods and fields. You will discover the small heritage of the Tarn: stone walls, wayside crosses, wells, millstones and huts.

Details

420140
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.90 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 225 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 216 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 271 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 167 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Mairie du Séquestre.

No signposts

(S/E) With your back to the car park and the town hall on your right, take Avenue Jean Giono. Pass the gymnasium. At the T-junction with Rue de la Gardie, turn right and go up to the entrance to La Gardie.

YellowPR® markings and Pays signs

(1) Turn left, then descend to the right onto the first wide grassy track you come to.

(2) At the road, turn right. Cross the Ruisseau de Carrofoul stream and pass La Mouline. After the farm, a wide dirt track continues and climbs to La Bourgade. At the tarmac road, turn left and follow the curve of the road to cross the hamlet. The route goes around Puech de Carlus after La Bourgade. Stay on the road until you reach the crossroads.

(3) At the crossroads, turn onto the agricultural track on the left. This runs alongside a vineyard. At the bend, continue straight ahead on the path lined with shrubs and oak trees on the left. When you reach the road, do not join it, but turn 90° to the right onto the path that leads to Carlus between the meadows.

(4) Cross the street and head towards the football pitch. Go around the pitch and take the road on the opposite corner on the right.

(5) At the fork, take the road on the right, which ends in front of the "La Vue" lodge and continues along a wide dirt track through the woods. Further on, the track turns 90° to the right, descends slightly towards La Malayé and ends at the road. Turn left at the road.

(6) Pay attention at this point to turn onto the path on the right. The path runs straight between a row of trees on the left and a large sloping meadow on the right.

(7) Turn right and follow Coteaux de Carlus. At the road, turn left. At the D27, go left, leaving the large Villadiès farm on your right. Cross the Carrossoul stream.

(8) Before the crossroads with the wrought iron cross, turn right onto the service road. This becomes a dirt track at the house and climbs steadily to the entrance to La Gardie.

(9) On Chemin de Tailleferrier, turn right to cross La Gardie.

(1) Retrace your steps to return to the Town Hall and its car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 178 m - Parking at the Séquestre Town Hall.
  2. 1 : km 0.89 - alt. 237 m - Turn left at the signpost.
  3. 2 : km 1.72 - alt. 185 m - Crossing the Carrossoul stream
  4. 3 : km 3.3 - alt. 238 m - Farm track on the left
  5. 4 : km 4.2 - alt. 236 m - Cross the street towards the stadium.
  6. 5 : km 4.6 - alt. 242 m - At the fork, take the right-hand road.
  7. 6 : km 6.27 - alt. 207 m - On the right between the trees.
  8. 7 : km 7.29 - alt. 190 m - On the right, sign for Coteaux de Carlus.
  9. 8 : km 8.17 - alt. 168 m - Take the path on the right before the wrought iron cross.
  10. 9 : km 9.43 - alt. 227 m - Chemin de Tailleferrier, turn right towards La Gardie.
  11. S/E : km 10.9 - alt. 178 m - Parking at the Séquestre Town Hall.

Notes

This route is suggested in guidebooks as starting from Carlus. I suggest starting from Albi, which adds about 2 km to the route.

Hiking equipment.
There are no water sources, so bring enough with you.

Worth a visit

Small heritage sites.
Viewpoints.
Bucolic landscapes.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
madydou
madydou ★

Thank you for your feedback.
I have made this clear
This proposal allows those without motorised transport to take this route by travelling to the starting point by public transport.

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Zagazou
Zagazou
• Edited:

I did the "Les coteaux de Carlus" hike in 2005 with the guidebook "Le Tarn… à pied" published by the FFRP. I found it interesting and very varied. Today, I did the Visorando version again, starting from Le Séquestre, which is the same route but with an extra 1.5 km there and back. I recommend the FFRP or Tarn Tourisme version, which is what all the hikers I met today were doing. It avoids a noisy, tarmac section (airfield, motorway) where you mainly see industrial areas and residential neighbourhoods. What's more, the start from Carlus is more pleasant as the municipality has created a nice start/finish area there.

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madydou
madydou ★

Thank you for your feedback.
I will correct it.

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Vincent CLEMENT
Vincent CLEMENT

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

This hike is classified as easy. It is slightly less so in hot weather.
A few details:
At point 5: you reach the 'BELLE VUE' lodge after a 'beautiful' climb.
At point 7, follow the Carlus trails, not the Coteaux trails.
At point 9, this is the Tailleferrier path and not Taillefer. In any case
the sign is quite far from point 9
Finally, in this area of the TARN: Road = often Path

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Vendinielle
Vendinielle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Taken in January 2021, retaken today with the same pleasure to enjoy the 1001 shades of green and the elegant, fragrant blossoms of the hawthorns. Beautiful views.

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sangria31
sangria31
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 28, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route was very muddy after the previous days' rain, but it was perfect for getting some fresh air without a mask and taking your mind off things during this difficult period.
Beautiful views of Albi and the surrounding countryside. A gentle, easy but enjoyable hike. Impossible to get lost, even if you forget the Visorando instructions, as the entire route is signposted!

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Vendinielle
Vendinielle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I would happily do this route again, which is already very pleasant in winter because the paths are very good. It seems to be well known among the people of Albi. Coming from Gaillac, I started it just before point 8, at the junction with the Campège path. There are beautiful houses all along the route and stunning views of Albi and Castelnau-de-Levis.

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baladou81
baladou81

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 10, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A quick detour to the top of the hill is well worth it.

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rigal jeanlouis
rigal jeanlouis

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 28, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Enjoy your hike
Be careful in wet weather, as the clay soil sticks to shoes
Plan to change them before driving
Enjoy your hike, everyone!

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leducelisa
leducelisa

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 14, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike starting from Carlus. 2½ hours' walking. Magnificent views of Albi and Castelnau de Levis from the hills. A lovely hike without straying far from Albi.

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varmer0319
varmer0319

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 09, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Starting from the town hall in Le Sequestre. Climb towards La Gardie with splendid views of Albi, St Cecilia's Cathedral and the motor racing route.
This well-marked route is very hilly, and the landscape is superb at each 'summit'.
A few muddy sections, but no difficulties.
The village of CARLUS is magnificent.

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JLB81
JLB81

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

A very beautiful hike near ALBI. An easy route with a few climbs of varying steepness. Some shaded sections provide welcome relief from the heat in summer.

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