On the heights of La Ganguise

A magnificent, very easy walk on the hillsides above Lac de la Ganguise with beautiful views of the lake and the Lauragais. In the distance, you can see the Montagne Noire and, on a clear day, the Pyrenees. The paths are wide and well maintained, either grassy or rocky. There are a few roads to cross, but no walking on them.
If the lake level is low, it should be possible to take an alternative route along the shore.

Details

n°7307288

Creation:
03 Apr 2021

Last update:
28 Oct 2023

Last review:
03 Aug 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 6.02 km
Average duration: 2h 05
Difficulty: Easy
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 135 m
Descent: - 142 m
Highest point: 296 m
Lowest point: 240 m

Country: France
District: Molleville (11410)
Start/End: N 43.311329° / E 1.834545°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2245O
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Photos

Description of the walk

Parking is available near the church in Moleville.

(S/E) Head north-west along Rue de Bellevue then Rue d'Autan to avoid the D517. At the fork, keep left onto Chemin de la Ganguise.

(1) Turn left at the crossroads onto Chemin des Pontils and pass a private road on your left.

(2) Turn left onto the grassy path downhill, then turn left at the crossroads, below the mill. At the next crossroads, turn left, but you can go and see the lake if you feel like it.

(3) Turn right at the left-hand bend onto a wide grassy path.

(4) Cross the D517 with caution and continue along the grassy path.

(5) Turn right onto the ridge path, then after 50 metres turn left and descend towards the Labexen stream.

(6) On the ridge, turn left onto a wide stony path. Continue to the D33, cross it carefully and continue along the road.

(7) Take the grassy path on the left that descends towards the Labexen stream and climb back up towards the village. Cross the D33 with caution and continue straight ahead. Turn left onto the D517 to return to the small car park near the church (S/E).
Enjoy the village and take a tour of the castle.

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 289 m - Small car park near the church.
1 : km 0.32 - alt. 289 m - Cross
2 : km 0.52 - alt. 276 m - Grassy path on the left
3 : km 1.33 - alt. 264 m - Grassy path on the right
4 : km 1.84 - alt. 254 m - Crossing the D517
5 : km 2.33 - alt. 291 m - Zig Zig on the ridge line
6 : km 3.26 - alt. 296 m - Crête
7 : km 4.53 - alt. 275 m - Combe on the left
S/E : km 6.02 - alt. 289 m - Small car park near the church.

Notes

There is little shade, so it must be quite hot in summer.
Lac de la Ganguise is known for its wind, and there is a sailing centre, so it is best to avoid days when the Autan wind is blowing.

Worth a visit

Not far away, on the banks of the Canal du Midi, you can visit the Not pottery and buy a cassolette to make a real cassoulet. https://www.facebook.com/Poterie-not-785...
You will also be close to the Neaurouze threshold, the watershed of the Canal du Midi, with water flowing towards the Mediterranean on one side and towards Toulouse on the other. Very educational for children.
Did you know that Pierre Paul Riquet had planned to build a marina there?

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5

Based on 10 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5

Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5

Route interest
3.8 / 5

Poolorando

03 Aug 2025 at 16:58 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk with no major difficulties.
There is little or no shade, so avoid on hot days! The route is still enjoyable, even if it lacks a few points of interest. We had a little trouble finding the path between the two fields at point 5, but we eventually found it! (Follow the edge of the first field on the left to come out onto the path.)

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Pierre J5

24 Mar 2024 at 19:03 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, we did this circular in cloudy weather with a light tramontane wind. We used the hiking GPS with the GPX track. This hilly route is ideal for athletic training and is suitable for mountain biking. The landscape is truly splendid and the paths are pleasant.

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Porteur31

26 Dec 2023 at 11:01 3600

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

This 2-hour family walk is pleasant (views of the mountains, lake and village) but nothing more (large cultivated fields, partially marked route, best avoided during heatwaves or when the Autan wind is blowing). During ploughing season, access to the grassy paths is not always easy (we missed two of them...). To guide those who do not have GPS tracking, it would be helpful to indicate the distance between two landmarks in the text (e.g. turn left after approximately 800 metres). Surprisingly, a signpost had been dismantled and thrown into the embankment 20 metres further on (we could have missed the grassy path a third time...). In short, what a contrast with Ariane11's message below. We felt that little was being done locally to welcome hikers. In the same vein, the Hounoux ridge trail is much more beautiful. https://www.visorando.com/randonnee-sent...

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grandpirate

28 Oct 2023 at 17:33 7200 • Edited: 28 Oct 2023 at 17:49 7200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 28, 2023
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 beautiful light and exceptional views of the Pyrenees mountain range.
At the start, you could be more specific about the direction to take.
On the other hand, the wind was fierce!
Well done, we had a great time!

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Ariane11

25 Sep 2023 at 08:07 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant, undulating walk with no difficulty, and no risk of getting lost along the way.
Very pretty views of the Pyrenees, the Montagne Noire and the Lauragais plain.
Little shade.
It took us (two adults) 1 hour 20 minutes.
Thank you for this route!

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alainlecomte0231

12 Apr 2023 at 17:00 7200

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We were looking for a short hike, so we found one and went on it.
The short, steep climbs are few and far between. The grassy paths are very well maintained, so it's like walking on carpet. The different views of the lake are lovely, but it's a shame that the water level remains low.

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angelo73

21 Mar 2022 at 16:45 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, but be careful on days when the Autan wind is strong.
The route is easy to follow.
We extended it to suit our own tastes to pass by the Mas Saintes Puelles.

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nature103

07 Nov 2021 at 19:35 3600

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant route, often along ridges. The paths are wide and easy to follow, with no room for hesitation. Completed in 2 hours and 10 minutes with generous breaks and pleasant autumn sunshine.

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Le Randonneur

09 Jul 2021 at 17:16 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

I do not recommend this hike in summer due to the heat (not many trees).
In addition, the grassy paths are not always well maintained (risk of encountering snakes).
You don't often see the lake.

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En Pascot

03 May 2021 at 11:30 7200

If it was your first time, then you must keep going! There is indeed much to do in the hills, between the views and the lakes... See you soon and thank you!

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stefanodimecanic

03 May 2021 at 11:00 7200

Hello, I'm glad you enjoyed the hike.
This was my first published hike, so I'll take note of your comments to do better next time.
PS: As it was my first hike, the number of waypoints was limited by the system...

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En Pascot

03 May 2021 at 10:26 7200 • Edited: 03 May 2021 at 10:28 7200

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The first part of the route is beautiful, from the village to the lake and then uphill. The second part, after crossing the stream, is more ordinary. Beautiful grassy, soft paths. Picnic spot by the lake. Very good in mid-season (beware of the heat) and with children.
As is often the case, we would like some directional information, such as "leave the village to the west" or "turn north-east"...

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