Saissac walks

A circular trail taking in the Rigole de la Montagne Noire. You’ll also walk alongside the Bassin du Lampy, then return upstream along the Rigole past historic buildings.

The proximity of the lake for cooling off, the deciduous forest for a shaded walk and the very passable paths, despite a few fords along the route, ensure a very pleasant time even with children.

On the watershed between the Aude and Tarn rivers, we follow in the footsteps of P.P. Riquet once again, discovering other water resources that enabled this self-taught engineer to demonstrate to the experts sent by Colbert the merits of his project to supply his Canal des Deux Mers. However, the forest remains present on this easy route, and Arfons, with its slate roofs, is a picturesque little village in the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park.

This is an easy hike, sheltered from the sun for 90% of the route. The hike can be done in either direction. You will be better sheltered from the sun if you follow the directions given here.

A short, gentle walk with no uphill sections, sheltered by the forest throughout. Suitable in summer and winter, even in strong winds.

A pleasant walk through woodland and fields. The lake and the Bès reservoir prove, if proof were needed, that the Montagne Noire is like a sponge. Pierre-Paul Riquet was spot on when he created the Rigole, which feeds the Canal du Midi.

A short, easy walk, sheltered for half the route.

A lovely little walk from the Bassin de Saint-Denis to the Prise Alzeau and back along the stream.

Three quarters of the hike is sheltered from the sun and wind by the beech forest (mainly). Wear good shoes as the trail is often muddy with some stream crossings that are more or less maintained. Foresters have cleared the trail, which creates some large puddles, but these can always be avoided by walking along the edges of the forest.

On the lower slopes of the Montagne Noire, the Lampy River powered numerous textile factories in Cenne-Monestiés from the 17th to the 20th century. Downstream from the well-restored dam, beautiful remains are still visible in this rolling, green landscape. This route will show them to you with a series of information panels, taking you to some surprising places: along an old irrigation channel, at the end of the lake or in a panoramic spot in the middle of the pastures. Blue markings

At the foot of the Montagne Noire, this route passes by the Cenne-Monestiés dam, runs along the Lampy river as it climbs towards the village of Villemagne, before gently descending along a path offering a wide view of the Lauragais.

Balade vers le Parc éolien d'Arfons-Sor, situé sur la commune d'Arfons, depuis le château de Ramondens, qui a été un temps la propriété de P.P Riquet, et siège maintenant du CCAS d'EDF qui y organise des colonies de vacances pour les enfants. Le parcours, sans balisage (ou presque), se situe entièrement dans la Forêt Domaniale de la Montagne Noire, au Nord du torrent de l'Alzeau, "frontière" naturelle entre Aude et Tarn, à deux pas de la célèbre Prise d'Alzeau. Après l'arrêt à une ancienne cabane de pisciculture, réaménagée par l'ONF, le retour s'effectue par le vallon de Bergnassonne pour retrouver le château de Ramondens.

From Ramondens Castle, follow in the footsteps of P.P. Riquet as you discover the ingenious water supply system for his “Canal des Deux Mers”, established over four centuries ago in the Montagne Noire, before reaching the Lampy Neuf Reservoir, subsequently created to provide the extra water needed for the Canal de Jonction, the link between the Canal du Midi and the Canal de la Robine in Narbonne. Please take care on a section of the route that goes off the beaten track (further details in the description)

A ten-kilometre hike that winds through forests and fields. There are some beautiful properties to see, and above all, the village of Montolieu is worth a visit.

The walk is always in the shade and sheltered by very large beech and oak trees. There is practically no elevation gain as you follow the water.

The Rigole de la Montagne again. But this time you won’t be walking alongside it. You’ll go round it on a route that’s shaded all the way. The return along the road is a bit long, but you can walk on the verges if you don’t like tarmac.