Lac de la Bancalié trail

The Lac de la Bancalié trail is a hike through woods, hills and meadows, following the contours of the lake in a unique and wild setting. Built in the 1980s, it covers 86 hectares on the bed of the Lézert river, with pine-covered hills reminiscent of Mediterranean landscapes on the left bank and large, peaceful, rolling pastures on the right bank.

Trail of community interest created by the Centre Tarn Tourist Office. See § Practical information.

Details

2758464
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.84 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 34 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 40 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 326 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 299 m

Photos

Description of the walk

You are in a Sensitive Natural Area (ENS). Please respect the area and its flora and fauna.

Park in the car park on the edge of the D138 (800 metres after the dam).

(S/E) Facing the lake, turn right onto a grassy path between the car park and the lake. The path follows the contour of the lake. Pass under the Ginestarié, continue straight on to the D13 at the end of the lake

(1) Turn left onto the tarmac road. Cross the road bridge over the Lézert and continue for 200 metres.

(2) Leave the tarmac road and take the marked path on the left that descends to the lake.

(3) At the first crossroads, continue straight ahead along the lake. At the first three-way junction, go down to the left. At the top of the hill, go down to the left. At the next intersection, turn left.

(4) Cross the road to climb up opposite.

(5) 10 metres after the water line, leave the track to cross the footbridge. Go straight up then turn left to follow the upper edge of the meadow. The path leads to an old road.

(6) Cross the tarmac road and go over a small bridge over a ditch. The path through the woods leads to the dam on the lake. Cross the dam.

(7) Take the first track on the left. At the three-way junction, turn left. Return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 305 m - Car park alongside the D138
  2. 1 : km 3.96 - alt. 315 m - Crossroads/road junction. Bridge
  3. 2 : km 4.14 - alt. 315 m - Road/path junction
  4. 3 : km 4.49 - alt. 318 m - Lakefront intersection - Lac de Bancalié
  5. 4 : km 5.97 - alt. 304 m - Road junction
  6. 5 : km 7.02 - alt. 303 m - Footbridge
  7. 6 : km 7.78 - alt. 301 m - Route for launching boats
  8. 7 : km 8.92 - alt. 303 m - Turn left after the dam
  9. S/E : km 9.84 - alt. 305 m - Car park alongside the D138

Notes

Centre Tarn Tourist Office
8, Place de la République
81120 Réalmont - Tel. 05 63 79 05 45

Montredon-Labessonnié Welcome Centre
2 Avenue des Pyrénées
81360 Montredon-Labessonnié
Tel.

Worth a visit

(3) Lac de la Bancalié

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
routaboul;rene@hotmail.fr
routaboul;rene@hotmail.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

very pleasant walk around the lake

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emico63
emico63

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful, easy hike around the lake, with lots of shaded areas and varied vegetation.
The path is very well marked and was not wet, even after a day of heavy rain in our case.
Lovely views of the lake, perfect for stopping for a picnic.

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Vaboha
Vaboha

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 20, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant, shaded hike offering several viewpoints around the beautiful little lake of Bancalié. This is a very easy route with no elevation gain, ending (depending on the season...) with a well-deserved swim.

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randochristel
randochristel

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with little elevation gain, so not difficult. Suitable for families.

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ADV
ADV

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

BJ
High traffic on part of the route.
BAV
ADV

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Rando12142
Rando12142

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy family hike, best planned for weather that is not too hot. A bit crowded, but a pleasant route.

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Octocelli
Octocelli

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

A very pleasant route that is suitable for families, without any great difficulty. It is likely to be quite warm in summer, but there is plenty of shade. There are places to stop for a picnic...

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ID81360
ID81360

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 05, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy hike offering magnificent views of the lake, with wooded trails covering almost the entire 10 km route.

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Richard Russo
Richard Russo

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A 2½ to 3-hour walk around the same lake. It may seem long, but the crystal-clear waters of the lake are magnificent. Best done in good weather to enjoy the sun's reflection on the water. Easy, well-marked trail, suitable for families even with young children.

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GSRX81
GSRX81

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good

Hello, really nice route around the lake, but the path is a bit muddy and very slippery in places at this time of year. Ideal for recharging your batteries. Magnificent views. Easy hike in good weather.

Richard

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