Villemagne walks

At the foot of the Montagne Noire, this route passes by the Cenne-Monestiés dam, runs along the Lampy river as it climbs towards the village of Villemagne, before gently descending along a path offering a wide view of the Lauragais.

On the lower slopes of the Montagne Noire, the Lampy River powered numerous textile factories in Cenne-Monestiés from the 17th to the 20th century. Downstream from the well-restored dam, beautiful remains are still visible in this rolling, green landscape. This route will show them to you with a series of information panels, taking you to some surprising places: along an old irrigation channel, at the end of the lake or in a panoramic spot in the middle of the pastures. Blue markings

A circular route starting from the village of Verdun-en-Lauragais. It is marked in yellow. Follow the signs for “Circular route of the three moulins” then “Circular route of the three moulins – Variante”

A very pleasant walk, almost entirely through forest. Wide, easily passable paths and superb views of the lake and dam.

From the dam, head towards the Montagne Noire Natural Park for a hike in the forest and along the river. After a short wet crossing and a final easy climb, the arrival point reveals a magnificent view of the dam.

The proximity of the lake for cooling off, the deciduous forest for a shaded walk and the very passable paths, despite a few fords along the route, ensure a very pleasant time even with children.

On the watershed between the Aude and Tarn rivers, we follow in the footsteps of P.P. Riquet once again, discovering other water resources that enabled this self-taught engineer to demonstrate to the experts sent by Colbert the merits of his project to supply his Canal des Deux Mers. However, the forest remains present on this easy route, and Arfons, with its slate roofs, is a picturesque little village in the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park.

This circular walk almost circles the stream that gave the valley its name. Very shaded, it is a very popular walk during the summer months.

A shaded hike through a beautiful forest that once provided charcoal. A few pits, or charcoal pits, remain as evidence of this.

This hike alternates between beech, oak and chestnut forests and cattle pastures on the hillsides. The elevation gain is gentle, but the beautiful descent through the woods after Le Montagnet can be difficult in wet weather. Spring and late autumn are the best times to enjoy this route.

This hike is very easy to follow, but bring sunscreen and water if you're doing it in the middle of summer!

There are no signs indicating this remnant of a powerful Cathar fortress where three hundred Cathar perfects took refuge in 1209. All that remains is a tower and an intact Romanesque gate marking the entrance to the castrum. This walk along the Rigole de la Montagne and Sor rivers will reveal the entrance to the hidden path.

Three quarters of the hike is sheltered from the sun and wind by the beech forest (mainly). Wear good shoes as the trail is often muddy with some stream crossings that are more or less maintained. Foresters have cleared the trail, which creates some large puddles, but these can always be avoided by walking along the edges of the forest.

A walk through vineyards and woods with no real difficulties. It is well signposted in yellow. Please note: the paths can be very muddy after heavy rain.

A short, gentle walk with no uphill sections, sheltered by the forest throughout. Suitable in summer and winter, even in strong winds.

This is an easy hike, sheltered from the sun for 90% of the route. The hike can be done in either direction. You will be better sheltered from the sun if you follow the directions given here.

A pleasant walk through woodland and fields. The lake and the Bès reservoir prove, if proof were needed, that the Montagne Noire is like a sponge. Pierre-Paul Riquet was spot on when he created the Rigole, which feeds the Canal du Midi.

A lovely little walk from the Bassin de Saint-Denis to the Prise Alzeau and back along the stream.

Forest, forest and more forest for a short family walk.

A short, easy walk, sheltered for half the route.

Circular tour around Saint Martin Lalande and Saint-Papoul, visit Notre-Dame de Bassens, the Abbey-Cathedral of Saint-Papoul and the Lauragais plain in the Aude department.

A circular route on the plateau above Arfons via the Croix des Fangasses, the Croix de Montalric and the Montalric orientation table. Magnificent view over the entire Revelois and Puylaurentais plains as well as the Pyrenees. GPS essential for this hike.

Balade vers le Parc éolien d'Arfons-Sor, situé sur la commune d'Arfons, depuis le château de Ramondens, qui a été un temps la propriété de P.P Riquet, et siège maintenant du CCAS d'EDF qui y organise des colonies de vacances pour les enfants. Le parcours, sans balisage (ou presque), se situe entièrement dans la Forêt Domaniale de la Montagne Noire, au Nord du torrent de l'Alzeau, "frontière" naturelle entre Aude et Tarn, à deux pas de la célèbre Prise d'Alzeau. Après l'arrêt à une ancienne cabane de pisciculture, réaménagée par l'ONF, le retour s'effectue par le vallon de Bergnassonne pour retrouver le château de Ramondens.

From Ramondens Castle, follow in the footsteps of P.P. Riquet as you discover the ingenious water supply system for his “Canal des Deux Mers”, established over four centuries ago in the Montagne Noire, before reaching the Lampy Neuf Reservoir, subsequently created to provide the extra water needed for the Canal de Jonction, the link between the Canal du Midi and the Canal de la Robine in Narbonne. Please take care on a section of the route that goes off the beaten track (further details in the description)

A very beautiful route, almost entirely on footpaths and often through woodland. It will allow you to discover the different facets of the two sides of Durfort up to the Gravette dam on Lake Cammazes.

Departure from the village of Durfort, home to craftsmen specialising in metalwork. You will tour the Sor valley along the ridges, culminating at the Cammazes dam, which feeds the Canal du Midi. There are many points of interest on or near the route.

A ten-kilometre hike that winds through forests and fields. There are some beautiful properties to see, and above all, the village of Montolieu is worth a visit.

Semi-shaded route in the Montagne Noire, with beautiful views of the Revel and Puylaurens valley and the Pyrenees. Forest of fir, pine and beech trees, moors of ferns and ash trees. Little elevation gain. Most of this hike follows unmarked paths, even if you come across some markings. Only take these into account when they are mentioned in the description.

A short, easy walk around Lake Saint-Ferréol. It allows you to discover the different facets of this lake, which serves both as a leisure area and a reservoir for the Canal du Midi. This route includes a short detour to the geyser below, where you can cool off and keep the children entertained.

Circular between Lake Saint-Ferréol and Lake Cammazes for a short day's hike. Lovely views of the lakes, very pleasant sections in the forest, chance to spot deer, visit the Voûte de Vauban or enjoy a gourmet break in the village of Les Cammazes.

The walk is always in the shade and sheltered by very large beech and oak trees. There is practically no elevation gain as you follow the water.

This is a beautiful walk, but it is exposed to the wind and sun. The first kilometre is quite steep, but the next two kilometres are gentler. Rough wooden signs engraved with "Circuit Saint-Roch" will guide you along the way, even if they are not very visible or legible... Since 15 October 2018 and the floods, a lot of earth has been washed away from the paths and many of them have become very stony and rocky. However, the circuit remains entirely feasible.

The Rigole de la Montagne again. But this time you won’t be walking alongside it. You’ll go round it on a route that’s shaded all the way. The return along the road is a bit long, but you can walk on the verges if you don’t like tarmac.

Circuit to Gallic ruins offering a 360° view of the Sorèze plain.

On the western edge of the Montagne Noire, this hike harmoniously combines historical remains and beautiful views. The Oppidum de Berniquaut, the excavations of medieval dwellings on the same site, a large standing stone with cup marks and the ruins of the Chapelle Saint-Jammes de Besauceles will delight history enthusiasts. Lovers of beautiful landscapes will also find something to satisfy them on this route, which overlooks the Sorèze plain from a height of over 300 metres.

This trail, thanks to its natural and historical richness, is listed as a Historic Monument and is classified as a landscape site. Through its many information panels, you can gain an understanding of the karst landscape in all its aspects. In particular, it highlights the archaeology and the exploitation of the caves as mines and quarries by humans since the Middle Ages.

Section of the "sentier des sommets" trail, cut off from the link with Revel, reducing the total distance to 14 km. No technical difficulties, with beautiful views of the Lauragais. The route ends with a shaded walk around the lake, where you can swim in season.

Half of the hike is under the trees and half is in the heath.

A route off the beaten track to discover the Saint-Ferréol Basin, its winding paths, its famous waterfall, its cascades and, above all, its park with magnificent trees (pines, spruces, cedars, oaks, plane trees, maples, etc.). What's more, you'll discover Revel from above!

Unmarked hike on stony paths and trails where thick-soled footwear is recommended. Little shade, so not recommended in strong sunlight. Apart from that, no particular difficulties.

This walk, which is flat and easy, takes you around the bastide town of Revéloise and allows you to discover some historical sites. The starting point is right next to the municipal swimming pool.