Baïse Valley at Saint-Jean-Poutge

Start on the right bank of the Baïse at the N124 bridge.

(S/E) Follow the old towpath due north to Herrebouc Castle. When you reach the tarmac road, take a moment to admire the castle and turn right.

(1) Continue straight ahead for a few metres and turn left onto the stony track, then take the path that branches off to your left and continue along the River Baïse. Follow this path alongside the river for a good distance before reaching a stone track; continue straight ahead until you reach the junction with the Route de Vic (the D103). Take care when crossing this road.

(2) Ignore the path leading straight ahead and take the path almost directly opposite, on the far right. Pass in front of the village’s rubbish collection point and continue along this dirt track, which still runs alongside the River Baïse. Pass the Lajean farm and carry on along this path until you reach the three-way junction.

(3) Turn right and stay on this uphill path which goes round the Lajean farm and climbs up to the Route du Midi.

(4) Turn right onto the tarmac road and stay on it as it runs alongside the vineyards until you reach the junction with the D103.

(5) Carry on straight ahead. Take care when crossing. Continue along this tarmac road along the ridge until you reach Lahouche Farm; the road goes round the farm and climbs further up the ridge.

(6) At the top of the hill, take the dirt track branching off to your left. Stay on this track until it crosses a tarmac road; take the road straight ahead and stay on it until the junction after the bridge over the Larranchélan Stream.

(7) Turn right and continue along this road until the next junction with a track branching off to your right. Turn right and cross the bridge over the Larranchélan Stream. Stay on this track, pass the hamlet known as La Lébé, and continue up the road.

(8) Take the stony track branching off to the right, which runs alongside a small cottage. Continue straight on along this track until you reach a junction with a tarmac road. You are now in the hamlet of Herrebouc.

(9) Turn right, walk through the hamlet of Herrebouc and continue along this path until you reach the bridge spanning the River Baïse opposite Herrebouc Castle. Before the bridge, turn left and rejoin the old towpath which runs alongside the river and will take you back to the starting point of the circular route (S/E).

(S/E) Arrival at the starting point in St-Jean-Poutge.

Take care when crossing the D103 on two occasions

(6) Alternative route for a 12 km circular route: continue along the tarmac road which turns right downhill, and you will reach (1) opposite Herrebouc Castle. Return to the path along the River Baïse to the starting point.

Herrebouc Castle