Walking in the PyreneesSpending time in the Pyrenees is worthwile in every season. It can be done by car, but also walking. There are marked walk ways in many places. For preparation, you can buy several booklets and magazine describing the walks in detail: distance, difficulty, level differences and what to expect by way of special views and buildings. One magazine I can strongly recommend is Rando Pyrénées, a smaller sibling of the beuatiful magazine Pyrénées, both published by Milan Presse. They are issued several times per year, you can take a subscription or buy single issues. Of course they are also available in the Tabac in Lombez. A very special walk is the one going from coast to coast through the Pyrenees. There are two alternatives, route GR10 and route GR11. Both have been described in an earlier edition of the magazine Pyrénées, and now you can get a new booklet: Les grandes Traversées, a special edition of the magazine El mundo de los Pirineos. You would expect this booklet to be in Spanish, but it is 'normal' in French. Both routes are divided in 35 daily walks of between 4 and 11 hours. Each part is described in detail: distance, difficulty, level differences and what to expect by way of special views and buildings. Also where to spend the night. If you are not able or willing to walk more than five weeks you can do parts of the route. Personally, I don't have enough strength for this kind of exercise, but I use these publications as an inspiration to improve my condition, who knows what I can do in a few years time? In the meantime I 'walk' the routes from my easy chair on the terrace of my villa in Lombez by reading and looking at the pictures of these publications! Very enjoyable.
Route de LédanDistance: approx. 7 km I named this tour after the "Ruisseau de Lédan", which is the beautiful neme of the little stream that defines the north boundary of our estate Parc Residentiel "Château de Barbet" The source of this stream is at three kilometers west of the estate. The walking tour starts and ends at the estate and circles around the stream. Leave the estate through the main gate, turn right on the Route de Boulogne (be careful, there is a lot of fast-driving traffic here). At the first possibility turn right, in the direction of Sauveterre. Stay on this road until the first junction. . Here you stay on the right side, this is the official start
of the tour.. This tar-coated little road borders the estate for a while, then makes a steep climb. After passing the first house -les Barraus- you see on your left side, in the distance, Sauveterre. On clear days you can also see the Pyrenees in the background. A little while later you reach the summit of the hill, with
a beautiful view to all sides.. The road will descend from here on. Don't get confused by all the traffic sign, just follow the road. On your right, in the valley, yuo see the source of the Lédan. Continue to descend toward a farm with the name "la Robin". Don't get startled by the barking of one or two dogs, they seldom have the opportunity to welcome passers-by! The road starts ascending again, you will pass another farm, "le Borde-Neuve". Here the tar road ends, to continue as a sandy track, with a junction shortly after the farm. Choose the branch at the right side. You will climb until an altitude of 282 meters, where you find a sign "P.R. 26". Do enjoy the lovely view: straight ahead the village Montamat and to its left Gaujac.Looking backwards you will see Lombez and the estate.. Keep to the right again (following the arrow of the P.R. 26 sign), descending. Careful: after a rainy day this part can be slippery! The road keeps bending to the right, crossing the hills, encircling the source of the Lédan. Don't turn left when this is indicated by another P.R.26 sign, just follow the road (keeping to the right). Looking down to the left you see a group of farms, sometimes with donkeys in the meadow. In the distance you see road D626, which connects Lombez to Saramon and Auch. A little while later you pass on your right side, a high mud wall. Watch the layers of clay and chalk.. Next we pass a house. On my map*) it has the name Lédan, which means our stream is named after it. Next the sand road turns into a tar road again. On your right, in the valley, is the stream with behind it the estate. The road slowly descends to the D632 (Route de Boulogne). Turn right, you find the entrance to the estate after a few hundred meters. -+-+-+-+-+- *) map 1944 O "l'Isle-en-Dodon" from "Série Bleue", can be bought in Lombez in the paper shop and the Intermarche. Route de Paysan du GersThis trip takes you through a typical Gers environment - total distance is 18 kilometers, including four rather steep hills. Don't forget to take some drinking water and stop at least once for a rest - an experienced walker will need approx, 3½ hours. Extra service Map Distance 18 kilometers - time 4 hours Leave the Parc (side exit) in the direction of Sauveterre. Climb the hill, cross the bridge, looking to the right you will see a couple of bee hives. After passing the "Dangerous crossing" sign you turn right. Ignore the "No entrance for traffic" sign. To the left, on the hill, you will see the cemetery of Suveterre. after descending for a while the roads starts a steep climb. On top of the hill, 273 meter high! at "Au Baraque" you have a beautiful view to all sides.
To your left you see a small lake. You have already walked 5 kilometers. Continue on the same road in the direction of Montamat. Turn left on the T-junction. The road starts climbing again. You arrive in Montamat, a small village. You have walked 7 kilometers.
Continue, straight ahead on the same road. Left in the valley you see the "Bois de Gaujac". At the next T junction turn left in the direction of Gaujac (D273). Nice road, through the trees. Near Bij Gaujac , on your left side you see the Maria statue on top of the hill: next to it is a picnic area.
Leaving Gaujac the road climbs until a height of 300 meters. You have walked 10 kilometres.
Follow the road until the next T junction: turn left in the direction of Sauveterre - Lombez (D234). Weather permitting this road gives you an excellent view, with the Pyrenees in the distance. Just before Sauveterre choose the left road (not towards the antenna tower), you will get in the village center with the cute water put and a nice church with a Swiss clock.
Going down, keep going on the left side road. You will pass the cemetery again (on your right side). Keep going, it gets easier now that the road descends, you are getting close to the Château de Barbet. You have walked 18 kilometres. Congratulations !
Walking from Espaon to MirambeauExtra service Map Distance +/- 9 km time 2 hours Tips: you need good walking shoes, this road is not suitable for prams, and gets very slippery after rain. Good for mountain biking! Don't forget to take drinking water! Preparation: go by car or bicycle, from the exit of the Parc, to the right, approx 2.5 kilometers, turn left on the D9 in the direction of I'Isle en Dodon, take the bridge over the Gesse. After a little while turn left on the D265 towards .
Park your car or bike near the church. Opposite the church
is the école primaire (primary school). Walk through
On your left side you see the area of the horse smith.
You will have to do a fair bit of climbing, after reaching Dupin the road improves again. At the T- junction turn left and shortly after that right to go through Mirambeau. Take your time to look around in this village: it is typical for this part of the departement Haute-Garonne, close to the Gers.
After Mirambeau go left to pass la Courtasse, after that
keep to the right. Immediately after the crossing of the D81 there is a walnut tree on your
left side. Follow the D81 to
Walking trip 'Circuit de Pradere' (PR 23 Gers)walking trip of 6 km (1:45 to 2 hours walking)The trip starts in Encausse, 15 km east of Mauvezin and is marked by yellow signs. Yellow crosses indicate that you hav made a wrong turn. Most of the roads in this trip are not tarred, so it is best suited for dry weather.
The walking starts here.
A memory of high value…Encausse is a small village in the Gascogne, first mentioned in documents
of the 14th century. Like all seigniories in the Gascogne, Encausse has a
small territory of three parishes: Encausse, Quintignaux (disappeared during
the Revolution) and Sainte-Agathe.
The Gabriël walking pathA short walk of approx. 3 kilometersLeave the Parc on the South side and follow the road towards Sauveterre. After a bridge in the road (croosing the little brook "Ruisseau de Coutan”) take the first road left. This is no public road, but a small path next to a small farm. On the map *) this farm is named “En Menjat”. The road ascends towards a hill, with a view to the Parc on the left. You can also see the tower of Lombez. Somewhat to the right you will see a small castle, the “Château de Labusquiere” (the inhabitant is Dutch). When it is clear weather you can see the Pyrenees to your right. The road turns to the left and descends to a second farm, with the nice name “le Sébastian”, however the name is nicer than the farm!. The owner is Gabriël, a very friendly man of seventy years. He is always working, from early morning to late in the evening. Once I bought a load of cow dung from him (for my garden), and was shocked by the price he asked, until I realised he was still calculating in old Francs..... Chicken, geese and ducks can be seen in the yard of Gabriël's farm. Don't get alarmed, the three dogs are barking but don't do any harm. All animals together make a lot of dirt, so you better stay on the road, going around the barns. After le Sébastian is the start of a little tar road. It descends to the D 632, the road to. You pass a Brocante, turn left, and wlak next to the road back to the Parc: to the main entrace or to the side entrance on the road to Sauveterre. *) the map I used is the 1944 O "l'Isle-en-Dodon" from "Série Bleue", you can buy it in the paper shop and the Intermarché in Lombez.
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and on the D537 turn towards I'Isle en
Dodon.
