The Valette Lakes

After skirting the hillside, this route takes you past the old gravel pits, now returned to nature. This Lakes site, designated a Sensitive Natural Area, features a wide variety of environments offering a range of habitats, including the bird sanctuary, which is home to, amongst others, a large colony of grey herons. Don’t forget your binoculars!

Details

3386546
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.05 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 95 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 95 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 206 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 101 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at Place des Érables in Layrac-sur-Tarn.

(S/E) As you leave the car park, turn right. Take the road on the left in front of the war memorial (Chemin des Crêtes). Pass the Côte de la Vierge on your right and continue straight up the hill. At the fork near the church on the hilltop, keep well to the left as the road straight ahead is a dead end. You will reach the Terre Blanque crossroads.

(1) Turn right at the junction, then right again to head down the grassy track just beyond the motocross track to reach the plain. Pass thefirst track on your right and continue to the next junction.

(2) Turn right, then left about 300 m further on to reach the large track junction at La Baronne.

(3) Follow the wide track to the right across the fields to the D22. Note the beautiful 18th-century farmhouse at the end of the track, with the dovecote opposite it. In the left-hand corner is a small lake.

(4) Turn left onto the D22, then right onto Chemin de Rouzet.

(5) Pass the Chemin des Lacs on your right and continue straight on, turning shortly afterwards right onto the track that runs behind the Lac des Hérons. At the end of the lake, keep right to go round it and continue straight on to rejoin the Chemin des Lacs, then turn left onto the road. Stay on this main road until you reach the D15.

(6) Turn right and follow the road with care, keeping well to the side, to reach Layrac. At the junction with the D22, turn right twice to return to the car park (S/E) at Place des Érables.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 111 m - Place des Érables
  2. 1 : km 1.91 - alt. 203 m - Terre Blanque, on the right
  3. 2 : km 2.86 - alt. 113 m - Crossroads, turn right
  4. 3 : km 3.81 - alt. 104 m - A place called La Baronne
  5. 4 : km 5.07 - alt. 103 m - D22, on the left
  6. 5 : km 5.88 - alt. 102 m - Path behind the lake
  7. 6 : km 7.25 - alt. 104 m - D15, on the right
  8. S/E : km 8.05 - alt. 111 m - Place des Érables

Notes

There is also a large car park available in front of the village hall on Chemin de la Mongiscarde.

Worth a visit

The Valette lakes have recently been designated a Sensitive Natural Area. The bird reservoir area is home to grey herons, cattle egrets, little egrets, squacco herons... which can be observed provided you remain very quiet. The wetland and meadow are home to a wide variety of flora and insects that are right at home here and invite you to come and meet them!

Reviews and comments

3.7 / 5
Based on 7 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.1 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.9 / 5
Route interest
3 / 5
User 15361701
• Edited:

Overall rating : 2.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

A route of little interest, except for the view from the top of the hill. Many sections without shade. The lakes were not very rich in birds on the day of this walk....

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User 15361701

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Route without major issues

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Pauldu31
Pauldu31

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A short walk that mainly follows tarmac roads – lovely in winter.
The view from the top is pretty impressive.
The lakes aren’t anything to write home about, though.

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Office de tourisme Valaigo
Office de tourisme Valaigo

Hello,
Thank you for your review and for enjoying this walk. For your information, the Valette lakes are classified as a Sensitive Natural Area, which is why mowing is kept to a minimum to protect the local biodiversity. The main path, however, is maintained. Have a lovely day!

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Macclane
Macclane
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant little walk with lovely views over the plain. The signposting needs updating.
The access to the lakes isn’t maintained, which spoils the enjoyment.

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Vendinielle
Vendinielle

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

The Valette lakes may be a popular spot for a stroll among Layrac’s residents, but they aren’t really worth a detour, despite the efforts made to develop the site. As for the rest of the route, I don’t mean to be unkind, but simply struggling to map out a route isn’t enough to make a proper hike.
For the ‘enthusiasts’, you’ll have a breathtaking and unending view of the dusty motocross route; from above, from below and even from the side! And if, like me today, you happen to be there on a competition day, you’ll get the added bonus of the roar of engines for almost the entire route.
In short, to paraphrase Shakespeare: “Much ado about nothing”.
Instead, opt for the Balcons de Layrac (hike no. 3381507), preferably in November, for the colour of the oak trees.

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François T.
François T.

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely, very peaceful walk, as it follows only footpaths or very narrow roads (apart from a few hundred metres at the end, which are quickly covered but not very pleasant if you have children with you). The route is entirely in the sun, making it a very pleasant walk in fine winter weather. The views are beautiful all along the way, and the lakes are a pleasant surprise, teeming with birds.

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jipekos
jipekos

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
I did this route yesterday, Sunday 18 October 2020, in glorious weather. We didn’t meet any other walkers, apart from a few Sunday strollers by the lakes.
The first section (the long climb up to Terre Blanque) gave us a lovely view of the valleys and hillsides on both sides. Then a descent along the motocross route and finally the plain and the lakes, well hidden by the vegetation.
My main criticism: too many tarmac roads – at least 75% – and a tough final 700 metres along a road where cars drive quite fast.

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