Short circular around Marsal

This short route is ideal for getting back into shape. It is easy and runs alongside the Tarn for long enough to allow for a bit of effort at the end of the route, in the middle of the woods.

Details

n°874377

Creation:
16 Nov 2017

Last update:
02 May 2022

Last review:
22 Dec 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 7.68 km
Average duration: 2h 50
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 210 m
Descent: - 203 m
Highest point: 359 m
Lowest point: 184 m

Country: France
Area: Massif central
District: Marsal (Tarn) (81430)
Start/End: N 43.930558° / E 2.286302°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2341SB, 2342SB
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Description of the walk

Park in the square in front of the market hall in Marsal.
The route is not signposted and follows sections of^{the GR®36}Red and White trail as well as sections marked in yellow, the name of which is unknown.
It is advisable to take a map with you, and a GPS device may also be useful.

GR36 - Red and white markings

(S/E) Start from the street between the market hall on your right and the church on your left, heading towards Maurinié Haute. At the Barry crossroads, ignore the road on the right, which will be the return route. Stay on the current road until you reach a fork. At the fork, go right.

(1) As you approach Maurinié Haute, climb up to the Chapel of Nicolaï Greschny to visit it.

No markings

(2) Chapel of Greschny. After visiting the chapel, retrace your steps to the fork.

Yellow markings

(1) Turn right onto the path to leave the^GR®36and descend towards the Tarn. The path is not shown on the IGN map but is present on the ground. At the road, turn right and follow the river.

Yellow markings and^GR®36

Walk until you reach the D172, where there is a vague yellow marker.

(3) At the edge of the D172, make a sharp right turn to climb above the tunnel. A shaded dirt path, parallel to the road, branches off to the left, overlooking the road. The path ends again next to the D172 in front of a small traffic island.

Yellow markings

(4) Leave the^GR®36by climbing to the right onto the wide dirt track. Follow the yellow markings with confidence, as the IGN map is incorrect. The dirt track leads to the tarmac road at the entrance to Gougeac.

(5) At the four-way crossroads, cross over and continue straight ahead to rejoin the path at the edge of the hamlet, in front of a reservoir.

(6) At the crossroads, turn left and follow the curve. The path passes in front of a water tower and descends gently to a place called Le Fournials. Cross Le Fournials.

(7) Go through the small tunnel under the D172 and continue straight ahead towards the Barry crossroads. At Barry, turn left to return to the centre of Marsal (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 187 m - Marsal Church and Market Hall - Tarn (rivère)
1 : km 1.19 - alt. 212 m - Chapel fork
2 : km 1.31 - alt. 222 m - Greschny Chapel
3 : km 3.81 - alt. 196 m - Right turn onto the D172
4 : km 4.59 - alt. 194 m - Climb up to the right, wide dirt track.
5 : km 5.98 - alt. 357 m - Gougeac
6 : km 6.54 - alt. 295 m - Turn left and follow the curve.
7 : km 7.26 - alt. 197 m - Crossing the D172
S/E : km 7.68 - alt. 187 m - Marsal Church and Market Hall

Notes

Hiker's equipment
Water point on Place de Marsal in front of the market hall.

Worth a visit

Viewpoint.
Banks and beach of the Tarn.
Marsal Church.
Greschny Chapel in La Maurinié.
To visit the chapel, ring the bell loudly and Michaël Greschny or his wife will come and open the door for you and explain the interior.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5

Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5

Route interest
4.1 / 5

SMeredith

22 Dec 2025 at 08:53 3600 • Edited: 22 Dec 2025 at 08:55 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk on the outskirts of Albi. The hamlet of Marsal is charming and the section that follows the meander of the Tarn is beautiful, especially as the river is enclosed, making it quite rare to be able to walk alongside it. The climb that follows is a little challenging but offers beautiful views. Unfortunately, the wooded hill has suffered some severe cutting.
The return to the hamlet is easy. We did this hike in December in grey weather, but it was quite a change of scenery.

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Aga

19 Aug 2025 at 12:21 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant short walk with beautiful views of the river.

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GAGNAC RANDO

27 May 2024 at 09:29 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2024
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, with no particular difficulties. Beautiful views. No difficulty navigating the route, as we followed the GPS track. The hamlet of La Maurinié Haute is very beautiful, with its chapel dedicated to Nicolaï Greschny, which we were unable to visit despite ringing the bell several times.

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Les rebelles de la forêt

02 Mar 2024 at 14:40 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very nice route, a little difficult to find your way at point 4 because trees 🌳 have been cut down and the landmarks with them.
We enjoyed it and will do it again, perhaps in the other direction 😉👍

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madydou

02 May 2022 at 18:16 7200

Good evening, Chris,
My mistake
I just did the route again this afternoon.
Indeed, at point (4), you have to leave the GR and climb the PR trail.
I will amend the description accordingly.
Have a good evening.

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ChrisCesar

20 Apr 2022 at 15:00 7200

If I'm wrong, please let me know and I'll amend my comment. Because this little hike is really great!

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madydou

20 Apr 2022 at 14:25 7200

Thank you for your time and for clarifying this for me.
I plan to return on Monday, 2 May.
I will then see if there is any need to modify the route and/or description.

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ChrisCesar

20 Apr 2022 at 14:16 7200

The signpost on the right indicates that this is a PR trail, and the GR sign is a cross, so in principle this is not the route to take if you are following the GR. But in any case, the map is clear enough to continue the walk without getting lost and enjoy this pleasant moment.

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madydou

20 Apr 2022 at 13:44 7200 • Edited: 20 Apr 2022 at 13:45 7200

Hello,
There is no mistake at the point (4). There, in the middle of a small traffic island between two roads, you must climb the GR trail that starts on the right.
At Gougeac, you must leave it and follow the yellow markings on an electricity pole on your left.

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ChrisCesar

20 Apr 2022 at 11:19 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A very beautiful, easy hike. The starting point is in a tiny hamlet, so you can start wherever you want without any problems. The scenery is very pleasant. There is an error in the description: from point (4), do not follow the GR36 markings, but the yellow PR markings. The yellow markings will then easily guide you to the finish.

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Vendinielle

25 Sep 2021 at 18:43 7200

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Sorry, but I didn't really like the route, even though it was also recommended by Rando Tarn. Only the Maurinié site is really worth seeing. There's a lot of road at the start and few opportunities to enjoy the banks of the Tarn. When you reach the path, it just overlooks the road and then you have to put up with the noise of the cars below. The final descent offers very few views. Be careful, there are dogs running loose. I finally parked in front of the cemetery to get some space, which allowed me to avoid walking back along the circular starting loop, which doesn't offer much to admire. A shame. GPS useful.

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sabe81

20 Jul 2020 at 14:01 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 20, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

bring your swimsuit for a dip in the Tarn

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madydou

27 Feb 2020 at 15:16 3600

Hello,
I don't understand the initial difficulty that you both encountered.
The description seems clear to me when I reread it.
The hamlet is tiny, there is only one street between the church and the market hall, and that is the "very centre".
At the wrought iron crossroads, just continue straight ahead.
At the point (3), it says to go up the path on the right, in front of the road and the visible tunnel.
I hope these details will help future hikers find their way.

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JJB81

24 Feb 2020 at 12:08 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The departure point is unclear because there is a first intersection in the village that confuses the reader.
Zoom in on point 3. It is not obvious from a quick and direct reading that you have to go through the bridge tunnel (even though this is specified in the text and you just have to follow the yellow markings).
Several muddy sections after point 3 at this time of year.

A pleasant hike with lovely views of the Tarn.

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Pacheco12

14 Oct 2019 at 09:03 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

The start is not clear; in fact, you have to follow the yellow line, as this hike is fully marked.

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Author

madydou
103 Walks

Visorando member

District: Albi

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