Hiking Midi-Toulousain

And here we go, my kiki, for an adrenaline rush! With H2O Vives, thrills in the mountains supervised by professionals specialized in this environment. White water sports: rafting, canyoning, hydrospeed or canoraft, all guaranteed thrills. But also many other adventures around caving or orienteering. More unusual but just as fun and accessible to all: the arapaho. Climb on this wide-wheeled scooter and follow your guide down the forest paths!

For over 35 years, the Office des Sports de Montagne has been offering a wide range of activities to satisfy visitors' thirst for adventure. Forerunners in canyoning, they introduced the first all-inclusive packages for these activities. They also offer year-round outdoor activities such as via ferrata, water trekking in Spain, rafting on the Neste d'Aure, downhill scootering, paragliding, snowshoe trekking, and much more!

At the gateway to Bigorre, the countryside reveals its charm through 18 signposted walking loops, offering an immersion into the canton of Rabastens, with the chance to discover its flora, fauna and local heritage. The area boasts a wealth of landscapes, from hillsides to forests. In all, there are 170 kilometers to explore on foot or mountain bike. Don't forget to venture out on the famous Adour trail, but be sure to visit www.adouretaffluents.fr, as the water can sometimes be capricious.

The tourist office provides you with all the documents relating to the Nestier-Lombres-Montegut cultural circuit. A detailed map showing the five signposted hiking trails will guide you through the paths of the Neste canton. From the easy 12 km route to the more extensive 30 km route. Explore the different eras of history, from prehistory to more recent times, with sites such as the Mont Arès monastery. Along the way you'll see Celtic and Roman remains.

To enjoy the beauties of the region with passionate people, in a spirit of sharing and with optimized safety conditions, call on the Bureau des Accompagnateurs du Volvestre. A team of mountain professionals, all state-qualified, will accompany you through the Pyrenees. If you have time, extend your stay by a weekend or a week to discover the massif on the Spanish side.

Two tours in one! At the beginning of Brie, this divisible course in two parts pace up the area surrounding the town and the valley of Lavra. The first loop leaves south in a wooded area, while the second, in the east, climbs to the slopes of Terrefort, offering on the way an excellent views of the Pyrenees (at least weather permitting). If 8 km are too long walk for you, choose à la carte, the option that suits you best!

Price: free.

Distance: buckle integral: 8.3 km; buckle southern: 3.5 km; buckle is: 4.8 km away.

Problem: easy.

On this easy walk through the heart of the town, you will quickly understand why stone and art are the emblems of Moissac. Starting from the cloister, you will slowly make your way towards the Saint-Pierre abbey church and the tympanum, then, before continuing to the Place des Récollets, make a detour to the former abbey palace. Then take successively the rue du Général-Gras, the rue des Arts and the rue Sainte-Catherine, without missing the beautiful Saint-Jacques church on the way.

On foot or by bike, go to Boudou for this outing to the birds. From the bridge of Coudol you are quickly heading to the leisure base of Saint-Nicolas-de-la-Grave, from which you will enjoy a privileged point of view on the same name, formed by the confluence of the Tarn and the Garonne. If the place is ideal for the practice of nautical activities, it is also a large ornithological reserve, recognized for the diversity of bird species that inhabit it. The observatory is a little further away; to reach it, you will have to walk along the banks of the Garonne over two kilometres. Then continue to the village of Saint-Nicolas-de-la-Grave, before you go back.

Tariff: free.

Distance: 12,3 km.

Difficulty: .

Here is an urban hike, accessible in the middle of the city, and yet in the nature, along the Tarn and the Caussels. These three trails take you through a preserved and maintained country setting for 7 kilometers along the GR 36. The "sentier des Berges" first links the cathedral parking lot to the mouth of the Caussels stream, then gives way to the "Sentier sauvage", between the Pont-Neuf and the avenue du Loirat. Finally, the Mouline trail ends the loop, stretching to the Planques parking lot.

If you live Albi, perhaps you have already noticed some explanatory panels installed here and there on the streets of the old center. They are, in fact, three discovery courses for the curious and urban walkers. Would you like to explore Castelviel, Castelnau and Bourg Saint-Salvi? Follow the purple circuit! Do you prefer Patus Cremat and Vigan? Then choose the golden color loop. If you want to cross the banks of the Tarn and the Combes, it will be the Azur circuit! Accessible even to the youngest, they will give you an hour and a half of walking, good insights of the emblematic places of the old town.

Tariff: free.

Duration: on average.

Difficulty: .

From Castres, the path of the little train of Lacaune invites you to hike in a bucolic setting, partly along the Agoût river. Gardens, streams, undergrowth and small bridges are on the program - be careful with children when you overhang the river. After eight kilometers of walking, jogging or biking, you will reach the medieval village of Burlats. In addition to its several monuments, you will find toilets and a water point. The more athletic walkers can continue the hike towards Lacaune.

Starting from the Col du Soulor, two discovery trails follow one another to reveal the wonders of this magnificent mountain site, which is also a migratory passage for birds. You begin your exploration at an altitude of 1,474 meters on the sentier des Rapaces, which takes 45 minutes to complete. Featuring five informative panels, it guides you to the La Tachouère restaurant, showing you how to recognize the different species. Then the Passereaux trail (1h30) takes over, offering a more playful route through the forest.

On foot or by bike, this hiking loop reserves a varied and varied landscape. However, rest assured that there are no big difficulties in perspective! In a landscape of slopes and vineyards, your journey leads you in particular to the villages of Juillac and Tourdun, to close the Aménagé lake, km away. In the summer, why not complete your effort with the comfort of a swimming? With family or friends, here is an interesting option for the Sunday exit!

Tariff: free.

Distance: 15,4 km.

Difficulty: .

Markup: yellow and black.

When you're lucky enough to live or stay at altitude, there are some physical activities that just flow out of you! Nordic hiking is a perfect example. At Col de Picotalen, there are three signposted routes for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. If you're a beginner or have little training, we recommend the shortest. Its 3.6 kilometers will already give you a great view of the snow-covered mountains. Cross-country skis, sledges and snowshoes are available for hire from the chalet.

The remarkable sequence of religious oratories dedicated to the crucifixion of Christ, which you can admire today, is largely the result of the unstinting commitment of the residents. Built in the second half of the ^19th century, the chapels were damaged during the war and then forgotten under a thicket of brambles. It wasn't until 1984 that a voluntary clearing initiative was undertaken by the villagers.

This 2.2 km trail offers you to walk on the volcanic hillock on which the village of Usson was built. Among the most beautiful villages of France, Usson was for nearly 20 years the place of exile of Marguerite de Valois, wife of Henri IV. Today, the castle in which she was held no longer exists, but the village has many other resources. The path first takes you to visit the village itself, before going up to the statue of the Virgin to get a complete panorama of the surrounding mountains. It finally leads you to a façade of basaltic organs carved by the effect of time and rain.

Canyoning, climbing, snowshoeing, descending the Pic du Midi, skiing, snowboarding, telemark skiing... These are just some of the activities offered by Matthias and his team. Thanks to Pyrénées Guides, the mountains are accessible all year round. Matthias, a true mountain enthusiast and expert on the Pyrenees, guarantees optimal conditions. You'll benefit from the supervision of mountain guides, ensuring safe outings whatever your level. These passionate people are here to help you discover the splendor of the valleys and summits.

Every year in early June, cyclists gather for the Montée du Géant, an event in the Hautes-Pyrénées that celebrates the ascent of the Le Géant statue to 2,115 m altitude on the Tourmalet. Designed by Jean-Bernard Métais, the statue honors all the cyclists who have tackled this climb in the Tour de France, including Octave Lapize, the first rider to do so in 1910. It's an opportunity to make a unique ascent, which the bravest cyclists do by the strength of their calves.

There are ten signposted walks starting from Rieumes, representing one hundred and twenty kilometres of paths. Seven of them meander through the valley and present no particular difficulty, so they are perfect for family outings, while three others cover the hillsides and require a little more effort, which is quickly rewarded by the panorama. You will find details of the routes, information and safety instructions at the tourist information office.