In the footsteps of the donkey from Vaux

Poor donkey. According to legend, the miller tied a rope around its neck and hoisted it up to the top of the roof so that it could graze on a tuft of grass that was sticking out. You can guess how it ended. In its memory, come and take a walk in these pretty valleys of the Lauragais.

Details

27504732
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.73 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 181 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 183 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 295 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 214 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park opposite the school in the centre of the village of Vaux.
Follow the yellow markings.

(S/E) Take Chemin des Trois Moulins to the right of the church. Leave Allée du Cimetière on your left, then quickly reach a new crossroads.

(1) Turn left onto Chemin du Lac and walk along the cemetery. After 350 metres, leave the road and take the grassy path on the right that leads down to the lake. In the bend 80 metres further on, turn left. Start walking along the lake. Pass the picnic tables, then turn right immediately to go around the lake and reach the small bridge.

(2) Cross the bridge, continue along the lake and reach its southern end.

(3) Take the path on the left. Continue for 500 metres and walk along a field. Atthe first crossroads, turn right and leave the steeply ascending path on your left. Then turn right at a 90° angle to reach a small road. The path on the right leads to the hamlet of Labouriette.

(4) Cross it and continue straight ahead to reach the D18 road. Follow it for 250 metres until you reach a crossroads with several directions.

(5) Turn left onto the road. Continue slightly uphill to reach the hamlet of En Cély.

(6) Turn right onto the path that climbs uphill. Continue along the path, which runs alongside a wood. Pass the Moulin farm, then follow the D54 to reach the entrance to the village of Bélestat-en-Lauragais. Continue to the "Give way in 100 m" sign.

(7) Turn left and take the small road between two properties. Then take thefirst road on the right and head towards the town hall square. Continue straight on the D54, walk past the cemetery and then a calvary to reach the bridge over the Ruisseau des Rotis.

(8) Cross this small bridge and immediately take the grassy path on the right for 300 metres. Turn left and, at the next bend, turn right and continue along the right bank of the stream to reach the D72 road.

(9) Turn left and go up the road for 300 metres. At the bend, take the path on the left.
After 200 m, leave the path on the right and continue straight ahead. At the next junction 90 m further on, take the path on the right that goes uphill and follow this path through the fields. You will then come to a wooden signpost.

(10) Turn right towards the lake. Pass the Laboyrie property on your left. Continue on the path on the right. At the road, turn left and head back up towards the village. Pass an old mill again before returning to the initial crossroads you passed on the way there.

(1) Turn left and follow the same route you took on the way out to return to the car park opposite the school in the centre of the village of Vaux (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 289 m - Car park in the centre of the village of Vaux
  2. 1 : km 0.11 - alt. 284 m - Lake path
  3. 2 : km 0.77 - alt. 247 m - Bridge - Étang de Vaux
  4. 3 : km 1.55 - alt. 247 m - Southern end of the lake
  5. 4 : km 2.74 - alt. 261 m - Labouriette
  6. 5 : km 3.32 - alt. 231 m - D18 - Grasse (rivière) - Affluent du Marès
  7. 6 : km 3.86 - alt. 248 m - In Cély
  8. 7 : km 6.41 - alt. 261 m - Bélesta-en-Lauragais
  9. 8 : km 7.61 - alt. 214 m - Rotis stream
  10. 9 : km 9.24 - alt. 224 m - D72
  11. 10 : km 10.2 - alt. 259 m - Signpost
  12. S/E : km 11.73 - alt. 290 m - Car park in the centre of the village of Vaux

Notes

(S/E) Picnic table and toilet near the church
Between (2) and (3) Picnic tables and barbecue by the lake
Do not do this hike in the blazing sun as there is very little shade.

Worth a visit

(S/E) Visit the village with its feudal castle (unfortunately under renovation at the moment) and the Porte de Sers gate.
(7) Town hall square: turn around to admire the church's bell tower wall.
Between (10) and (1), enjoy superb views of Vaux and its old mills, the oldest dating back to the 16th century.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 18 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.3 / 5
cltestard@wanadoo.fr
cltestard@wanadoo.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 16, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This walk is absolutely stunning at the moment (in spring). There are fields full of lilacs and rapeseed, and the colours are magnificent. The little village is well worth a visit (it’s tiny) but the houses are lovely. As for the walk itself, it’s very well signposted. Towards the end, the landscape takes on a slightly Mediterranean feel, which is brilliant. I’d also recommend the lake – the water is crystal clear and makes you want to go fishing.

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hc31
hc31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

An interesting route for exploring the village of Le Vaux, its castle and church (currently undergoing restoration), its mills, its lake and the views from the ridge.
The route is well signposted.
After turning left onto the D18 towards point 5, 100m further on, there is a yellow sign on the right indicating the ‘Chemin de l’Âne’ (Donkey Path), which probably leads to point 8 and significantly shortens the walk. This is likely a shortcut that we did not take in order to follow the suggested route.
A car park is indicated opposite the school, but a car park on your right, just as you arrive in Le Vaux, is more suitable. It is 150m from the school and the town hall. Head towards the clearly visible church to start.
Thanks to the author of the route.

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Sénéquier 83
Sénéquier 83

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

An afternoon hike. Easy, on a hilly route with no difficult climbs. Wide grassy paths, unfortunately with some tarmac too, muddy after heavy rain but not slippery. A few views of the Pyrenees...

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BTD
BTD
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A beautiful country walk, with a very pleasant start by the lake.
The paths are wide and grassy, there is a bit of road, beautiful views
As I was a bit pressed for time, I turned right at Bélesta to go directly to point 9
A total of 10.20 km in 2 hours and 5 minutes

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didier.normand@cea.fr
didier.normand@cea.fr

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great walk, thank you. A bit too much road, but there was no traffic. The walk around Lake Vaux is truly magnificent.
There's a picnic table ideally located halfway along the route, just after point 7, with a beautiful view of the valley.

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User 8260948

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A rather interesting route with a few gentle climbs and descents. There are quite a few tarmac sections, but they are not very busy, although there is one fairly risky stretch on the way out of Bélesta. Overall, very good, and thanks to the author.

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Marie1960
Marie1960

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike starting from the village of Vaux, completed in less than 3 hours. The landscapes are varied, with a few small roads here and there, but we didn't encounter any cars. The trails are marked, but the Visorando trail is also very useful in some places 😉. There were lots of flowers in early May, including several species of orchids. Long stretches across fields and an easily accessible elevation gain as the climbs are long and not too steep. Panoramic views of the Pyrenees and the Montagne Noire from the ridge, you can really breathe here! Bring a hat in summer as this route is not sheltered from the sun or the Autan wind, this is the Lauragais 😁. Watch out for ticks that may have attached themselves to your shoes and trousers, as the grass is tall and these little creatures are well hidden. Check everywhere carefully!
Don't hesitate to explore this beautiful route with your family, you'll be delighted!

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caoussis
caoussis

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Unoriginal as it may be, this review echoes exactly that of all (or almost all) other hikers: a very nice hike even in grey weather, to the point that one can only imagine how wonderful it must be in the sunshine! The description is perfect (as is the signposting), but not the author of these lines, who is still wondering how he managed to finish the circular on the "wrong" side, i.e. by retracing his steps around the lake. In any case, thank you for introducing him to this route, whose only flaw is the (relatively) long descent on tarmac to the Rotis bridge.

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Ludi
Ludi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike in the hills above VAUX! The view of VAUX from the lake is superb! The mills are well worth seeing as they are kept in good condition!
After the church, turn left onto Chemin Saint Blaise (the new name for Chemin du Lac), which leads to the lake!
The trail is well marked throughout the hike!

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gerardjacques.gerard@gmail.com
gerardjacques.gerard@gmail.com

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Shaved

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Vendinielle
Vendinielle

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

Having read the reviews, I was a little disappointed when I got there. Admittedly, the lake is a beautiful discovery, but after that, it's rather dull. The church in Vaux has a beautiful bell tower that can be seen from several angles, and the castle is in a great location, but it's sad to see it in such poor condition.

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emmathena
emmathena

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful discovery, a very well-marked hike. The weather was grey, with a fairly cold wind, so we walked at a good pace along very pleasant paths and took two hours. With sunshine, we would have enjoyed the beautiful scenery more, but it's a very good walk for getting some fresh air without having to think too much. Thank you!

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Paul Fourcat
Paul Fourcat

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Not bad, even at 34 degrees. The start around the lake is amazing. Beautiful paths and views. A bit of panic in Belesta, where you have to resist the sign for Le Vaux and walk on a lot of tarmac to the Rotis bridge (!), but it's nice after that, along the 'river'. Didn't see a soul, or any animals. Paul, 1/10/23.

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c n
c n

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Superb route marking

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Papy_canard
Papy_canard

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike that can be done in wet weather. This is appreciated in the region during the winter months.

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