The heights of Monestiés

This short walk in the hills around Monestiès offers beautiful views of the village and the Ségala mountains. After crossing the Lauzeral forest, the trail winds along the old railway line.
Remember to take a torch to get through the unlit tunnel.
Yellow markings "La Borie Blanche"

Details

2565715
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.07 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 119 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 117 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 323 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 206 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the shaded spaces in Lices de Candèze, as you enter the village via the D73, on the left after the bridge over the Cérou.

(S/E) Return to the bridge, turn left onto the small Rue Jean Jaurès and walk up to the square where the fountain is located. Continue straight ahead towards the "Mise au Tombeau", passing in front of the Saint-Jacques Chapel (higher up on the left is an old water reservoir). Continue for about 200 metres after the chapel.

(1) Take the path that climbs to the left and runs alongside the Parc du Domaine de Monestiés. Continue along this path, which climbs towards the ridges in a north-westerly direction.

(2) Turn right onto a path that runs alongside the meadows for a few hundred metres until you reach the hedge.

(3) Continue on the left, walk along the hedge, pass in front of a house and reach the Route de la Borie Blanche.

(4) Continue along the road on the right, admiring the view, and join the D72, which you should cross with caution.

(5) Take the forest path opposite, which leads into the Lauzeral forest until you reach a crossroads.

(6) At La Clairière, take the path on the far right which descends towards the west. Pass in front of a farm and join the Carmaux road (D91) at a place called Le Couderc.

(7) Cross the D91 and take the path opposite. Cross the bridge over the old railway line and follow it to the right until you reach the next bridge over the Cérou. Go through the tunnel (unlit) and continue straight ahead.
When you reach the road, turn right onto the stone bridge and return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 206 m - Parking on the left after the bridge.
  2. 1 : km 0.49 - alt. 222 m - Path on the left
  3. 2 : km 1.36 - alt. 285 m - On the right, at the corner of the path
  4. 3 : km 1.85 - alt. 307 m - Turn left along a hedge.
  5. 4 : km 2.17 - alt. 308 m - Route of the drystone shelter Blanche, on the right
  6. 5 : km 2.94 - alt. 301 m - Forest path opposite.
  7. 6 : km 3.64 - alt. 289 m - Turn right downhill at the fork.
  8. 7 : km 4.96 - alt. 219 m - Crossing the D91
  9. S/E : km 6.07 - alt. 206 m - Parking on the left after the bridge.

Notes

Water source in the village.
In very hot weather, take enough water, a hat and sun cream. The ridges are exposed, but the forest section is very pleasant.

Worth a visit

Don't forget to visit the village, which has been classified as one of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France".
Sights to see: Saint-Jacques Chapel and the tomb, and the narrow streets of this village

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 25159544
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, easy-to-follow walk with beautiful views.

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User 10928488

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

The Hauts de Monestiés hiking trail is well marked. It offers magnificent views of the Monestiés area, is easy to follow and has the major advantage of ending in the village, where you can stop for a drink in a café.

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larzac
larzac

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 03, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little route overlooking Monestiés, beautiful views, a variety of environments and a beautiful old railway tunnel to finish, before visiting the village, ranked as one of the most beautiful villages in France.

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Kiruna
Kiruna

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant, varied and well-marked short hike: "La Borie Blanche route" takes 1½ hours.
The climb up to the plateau is gradual and accessible to all.
A beautiful section on the heights of Monestiés with lovely views, then a descent through the woods and return via the old railway line and tunnel.
Combine this with the short route along the banks of the Cérou and a visit to Monestiés

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MNORDIC
MNORDIC

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little family hike
A 360° panorama from the heights of Monestiès
A pretty passage through the woods and a tunnel add a little extra to this route
We extended the walk to include the pretty village of Salles sur Cérou (still in its original state) and its very pleasant route through the Croisade Valley with educational panels (ideal for younger children!)
Walking routes!

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JamyAlbi
JamyAlbi

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 27, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
A very easy and pleasant route with beautiful views of Carmausin.

Thanks to the authors.

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bapfred
bapfred

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

What a beautiful walk with a most surprising highlight: crossing the tunnel of the old railway line, which makes it even more picturesque!

Thank you very much for sharing this.

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MACO81
MACO81

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike that is accessible to all. The section through the woods is magnificent, despite the path being very muddy in places. However, don't forget your torch for the very dark tunnel. I recommend this short hike, even if you are a beginner, as it is not difficult and the village of Monestiés is beautiful...

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Michel_S_93
Michel_S_93

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

When asked about the popularity of the route, it's difficult to say yes or no, because although there are visible signs of people having been there, we didn't meet anyone. Nevertheless, this hike was very enjoyable and we had a great time as a family. I recommend it!

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JamyAlbi
JamyAlbi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

A very pleasant route which, in a short space of time, offers beautiful views and, what's more, a
passage through a tunnel...
I would happily do it again in summer with friends.

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