Picturesque villages near Bruniquel from Montricoux

A hike mainly on paths, mostly shaded along the Aveyron river with a passage through the village of Bruniquel.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.19 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 210 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 211 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 205 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 89 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the car park of the Montricoux village hall.

(S/E) Head towards the village and go down to the stone bridge, then cross the Aveyron.

(1) At the end of the bridge, turn left onto the path that runs alongside the river on your right for about 1,500 metres.

(2) When you reach an intersection, take the path below and to the left of the private road to continue along the river, passing the Bordes mill (road) and then under the bridge.

(3) At the intersection with another road, turn left.

(4) After 50 metres, leave the road and take the path on the left. This leads to the D115E road, which you follow for about 100 metres to the right until you reach a path on the left.

(5) Turn left, pass the hamlet of Foncave and reach an intersection.

(6) Cross over and take the path slightly to the left marked in yellow. Continue along Chemin de Gariottes until you reach the intersection with a road that climbs up to the village of Bruniquel.

(7) Take the gravel path up to the left, into the woods. Continue to the castle gate. Go down the stairs to reach a lane below, turn left and then immediately right onto the cobbled street leading downhill.
Continue along the alleyway, cross the main cross street and continue straight on Rue Sainte-Valérie until you reach the junction with the D964.

(8) Cross it to take the path opposite, Chemin des Dolmens, and continue until you reach the hiking signposts.

(9) Take the path on the right, route no. 5, and continue straight ahead until you reach another signpost.

(10) Turn left onto route no. 6 and follow the path downhill until you reach a road.

(11) First turn left then right and you will come to a stop sign. Cross the D115E road with caution and continue straight ahead on the tarmac Chemin de Tourtiguié. Pass through the hamlet and you will arrive at the crossroads you passed on the way there.

(6) Take the path on the left that you took on the way there, Chemin de Foncave.

(5) At the end, turn right onto the road and after about 150 metres, take the path on the left.

When you reach a road, continue to the right and then go back under the bridge. Pass Moulin de Bordes and continue straight on along the path running alongside the Aveyron to rejoin Chemin Labaou, which you took at the start of the walk. Leave this path and continue, keeping the river on your right.

(1) When you reach the bridge, turn right towards the village, heading for the village hall, either by taking the left side of the bridge or by going up to the village and arriving at the village hall car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 115 m - Montricoux village hall
  2. 1 : km 0.55 - alt. 101 m - Fork in the road at the end of the bridge - Aveyron (rivière)
  3. 2 : km 2.56 - alt. 110 m - Crossroads
  4. 3 : km 3.33 - alt. 114 m - Road on the left
  5. 4 : km 3.4 - alt. 119 m - Path on the left
  6. 5 : km 3.9 - alt. 115 m - Path on the left towards Foncave
  7. 6 : km 4.5 - alt. 136 m - Crossroads of the circular
  8. 7 : km 5.56 - alt. 188 m - Path ascending on the left
  9. 8 : km 6.3 - alt. 131 m - Crossing the D964 - Tombe de l'anglais
  10. 9 : km 7.13 - alt. 204 m - On the right, route no. 5
  11. 10 : km 7.6 - alt. 167 m - On the left, route no. 6
  12. 11 : km 8.09 - alt. 134 m - Right/left at the road
  13. S/E : km 13.19 - alt. 115 m - Montricoux village hall

Worth a visit

Village of Montricoux:

  • The Castle: The castle is connected to the 12th-century keep. The keep has a guard room on the ground floor, a vaulted room with a broken barrel vault, a monumental fireplace, Moorish-inspired Templar frescoes, and two floors connected by a spiral staircase.

In 1187, construction of the keep was completed, forming a medieval fortress. The tower was crowned with four corbelled turrets, which were destroyed during the Revolution. It is square in shape, built of hard limestone. The walls are around 20 metres high, with four external buttresses.

The ground floor is occupied by the guard room, a magnificent vaulted room with a broken barrel vault rising more than 7 metres above the ground and decorated with frescoes featuring Moorish-inspired geometric patterns. The décor is simple, with shades of ochre, white and brown.

The two upper floors are connected by a small spiral staircase. A small watchman's passage overlooks the guard room.

  • Marcel Lenoir Museum: The castle houses the Marcel Lenoir Museum (1872-1931), a private establishment that preserves 130 drawings, pastels, watercolours, oils and frescoes by this artist.

Village of Bruniquel:
The current "old castle" was built in the 13th century on the ruins of the first castle from the Merovingian period. Owned by the Counts of Toulouse, it is inhabited by the Viscounts of Bruniquel.

In the mid-15th century, the Viscount, who was in dispute with his son, decided to sell the lands to the east of his castle to a cousin, Maffre de Comminges. After fifteen years of legal proceedings between father and son, the cousin was finally able to purchase the land and build his own castle between 1485 and 1510. This is why there are two castles on the same site: the old and the new.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.1 / 5
jeanphidrums
jeanphidrums

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very pleasant hike, beautiful view of Bruniquel.

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Ludi
Ludi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a beautiful and pleasant hike along shaded paths in the woods. This walk takes us through two very pretty villages!
Be sure to stop off to visit Bruniquel and its castle, and finish with a visit to Montricoux Church with its interior square and priests' gardens!

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Les fouineuses
Les fouineuses

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A treat.

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randoviso
randoviso

we haven't done this hike yet
See you soon
Thank you

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Katou31150
Katou31150

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A route without difficulties. No mud at this time of year. Ideal for running with my dog. Varied scenery including picturesque villages, viewpoints, moss-covered forests, lots of streams (ideal for my dog) and picnic tables. I would definitely do it again with my family

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JilChaz
JilChaz

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike that takes us through two magnificent villages: Montricoux (at the start and finish) and Bruniquel.
There is a lovely view of Bruniquel halfway along the route. It's just a shame that the section along the Aveyron river is a return trip.

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Karine.82
Karine.82

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very good hike
A few hills for sublime scenery and crossing Bruniquel, arriving at the top of the castle
Much of the walk takes place in the woods, which is very pleasant

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Farce
Farce

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello
Very nice hike

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FLOCH
FLOCH ★

Hello,

I don't understand this review:
Reliability of the route on the map: Very good - Disappointing route or interesting.
Interest of the hiking route: Disappointing.

"Variations are possible to make this route less monotonous".
It would be interesting to suggest these alternatives so that the author, who may not be aware of them, can incorporate them into their hike, which could make it more interesting.

Thank you in advance for your suggestions.

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TISSOTY
TISSOTY

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Disappointing route; variations are possible to make this route less monotonous.

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blanchehermine
blanchehermine

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 26, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

What a shame about the return trip along the Aveyron! Lovely visit to Bruniquel...

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Aurore54-31
Aurore54-31

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The start along the Aveyron is exceptional. The rest, sometimes running alongside departmental roads, is less exciting.
All in all, a lovely walk.

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cathphi
cathphi

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Taken under beautiful March sunshine, visiting the pretty village of Bruniquel. It's a shame that the start of the route runs parallel to the busy road.
which is quite busy.

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Anne 81
Anne 81

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy, shaded hike. Discover Bruniquel from a different angle. Excellent description of the hike! Personally, it took us 3 hours and 50 minutes including breaks, and we are not experienced hikers.

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MAG ET JF LABAQUERE
MAG ET JF LABAQUERE

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

A little disappointed with the route, but two points remain enjoyable: walking along the Aveyron river at the very beginning of the hike and crossing Bruniquel.
It's a shame that the circular retraces much of the starting route.
JF

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