Monestiés -Salles - Combefa

Take the D91 to Monestiés. Once in the village, cross the Cérou, pass the gendarmerie, turn right and park just before the retirement home.

(S/E) Look for the red and white markings of^{the GR®36}, which you will follow to Salles. This^GR® follows the bottom of the valley along the route of an old railway line, hugging the curves of the river. Pass the hamlets of La Bastidette and Le Mas Blanc, which are located on the D91 on the right.

1.5 km after Mas Blanc, at the crossroads, leave the track leading to the Domaine de la Grave on your left and continue straight ahead to join the D91.

(1) Follow the road to the left for about 500 metres (take care).

(2) At the crossroads, turn left towards the village of Salles. Cross the Cérou and enter the village, turning left to reach the church. To the right of the church, take a small street that leads to the fortified tower and the information panel on the Albigensian Crusade. You will notice some beautiful old stone houses. Continue straight ahead to reach a small road.

(3) Turn left onto this road and continue for about 500 metres.

(4) Turn right onto an uphill path (not shown on the IGN map). Follow this path until you reach a small road (elevation 313).

(5) Turn left and pass a cross on your right to quickly reach a crossroads.

(6) Turn right and walk for about 500 metres.

(7) Leave the road and turn left onto a wide path between the fields, which heads south then south-west to reach the buildings on the hill. On the right, you can see the bell tower of the pretty little Saint-Martin Church emerging from the hill. You will come out onto a small road.

(8) Cross the road and continue straight ahead. After a house on your left, the road gives way to a path that crosses a farm track (elevation 320). Continue straight ahead and you will almost immediately reach the D7.

(9) Cross and follow the small road opposite.

(10) About a hundred metres before the two houses in Lombardou, turn left onto a wide track that passes in front of a shed, heads south-east and runs alongside a wood. Ignore a track that branches off to the left and continue to a crossroads at the bottom of the valley.

(11) Turn left at almost 180° and follow this track for about 500m to reach a fork.

(12) Turn right onto a wide path. After about 350m, turn left towards the end of a hedge of trees. Once you reach these trees, turn right at a 90° angle and head towards a group of buildings on your right, which will lead you to a wider track.

(13) Turn left and continue to a fork. Cross the first road and immediately after, turn left onto the D27. Continue on this road until you reach a crossroads with a wayside shrine on the left (elevation 325).

(14) Turn right towards the Rouquette farmhouse, which you will pass by, and follow the track straight downhill. Ignore another track that joins from the right and turn left. You will see a pretty reservoir on your right, which you will pass to reach the D7.

(15) Turn right onto this road, which makes a 90° bend and crosses a first bridge.

(16) Just after the second bridge, turn left onto the road. Opposite and above you, you will see the towers of the ruined castle of Combefa. Follow the road, which has two hairpin bends and leads to an intersection.

(17) Turn right at almost 180°, pass in front of Combefa Castle and continue to a small road.

(18) Turn right and cross the village of Combefa to reach a new crossroads on the D73 (Calvaire on the left).

(19) Turn left and, 50 metres further on, turn right onto a small road where you will find the red and white markings of^{the GR®36}. Follow these markings straight ahead to reach a road.

(20) Turn left and you will soon reach Monestiès. Turn right to cross the bridge over the Cérou and enter the old village opposite. Once on the square, turn left to pass in front of the town hall and then the church. Further on, turn left, pass through a fortified gate and you will come out onto an esplanade.

(21) Turn right, then left to cross the magnificent medieval three-arched bridge. Continue to the police station, then turn right at the crossroads to return to the starting point (S/E).

The start of the hike, namely the^GR®36from Monestiés to Salles, is not recommended during heavy rain, as the path is extremely muddy and difficult and unpleasant to walk on.
There are no water sources along the route. Please bring sufficient supplies.
Good hiking boots are essential.

Monestiés.
The medieval bridge, Saint-Jacques Chapel and Mise au Tombeau.
https://www.tourisme-tarn.com/2011/09/16...

Salles

The church and tower. The village's history is linked to the Albigensian Crusade.
http://www.vivreaupays.pro/Annonces/tabi...

Combefa

http://tourisme-tarn-carmaux.fr/chateau-...
The site of the ruined castle, whose towers dominate the valley of the Zère stream.