High Point Holidays Walking Holidays Brochure 2019 2019 | Page 48

Tarn’s Medieval Bastides
This walking holiday in the Tarn explores wonderful hill top villages, known as bastides. As well as the villages such as Puycelsi,
Castelnau & Cordes-sur-Ciel, you'll discover a landscape of rolling fields, vineyards, ancient oak forests & deep rocky gorges.
Highlights
Exploring Cordes-sur-Ciel, considered to be one of
the best preserved villages in France
Wonderful medieval bastides (hill-top fortified
villages) including Puycelci, Castelnau & Bruniquel
Leisurely walking through varied and picturesque
landscapes
Gaillac vineyards and historic oak forests
Various options on walking days
Option: extra night at Cordes, possible to visit Albi,
classed a World Heritage Site by UNESCO
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Self Guided Walking
7 nights/6 days walking
Distances: 12-21km per day
Ascent: 240-380m per day
"We love hiking in France and this has been
our most enjoyable trip. Your company really
does an excellent job." K. Higgins, USA
When: April, May, June, Sept & Oct
Accomm: Small guest houses
Basis: Full Board (except one evening meal)
Linear Trail
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8
Arrival:
Transfer
from Gaillac
station to
Castelnau Up to Castelnau.
Through Gaillac
vines, visit Ca-
huzac & onto
Donnazac Through vineyards, past
historic chateaux to
bastide Cordes-sur-Ciel,
one of the finest fortified
settlement in France Transfer to Vaour. Traverse
hills Causse Magrou, descend
to Aveyron Gorge. Climb to
Penne & its castle, then re-
mote countryside to Bruniquel Into Gresigne
forest. Choice of
trails. Climb to
hilltop bastide
of Puycelci Descend to Vere Val-
ley. Trail through quiet
rural scene, across
small valleys in & out
of woods to Castelnau Circular walk
from guest
house or
relax by the
pool Transfer
to Gaillac
after
breakfast
21km +310m 14km +240m 17km +350m 14/18km +380m 16km +330m
12km +300m
Historic Villages & Valleys of the Tarn
Our centre based holiday in the Tarn & Aveyron will allow you to explore several of the Tarn’s famous hill-top villages as well as
discover the valleys that cut through the countryside giving it its distinctive character of gorges, wooded valleys & high plateaux.
Highlights
Stunning medieval hilltop towns such as Cordes sur
Ciel, plus a host of historic and cultural delights
Wonderful guest houses with great food and wine
The Tarn and Aveyron is a haven for a variety of
wildlife
Large choice of spectacular & varied walks
Self Guided: guidebook will contain a selection of
walks in addition to those shown below including
to Castelnau & Penne
Self Guided: Own transport required to access most
walks, otherwise the choice of walks is limited
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Self Guided & Guided Walking
7 nights/6 days walking
Distances: 12-17km per day
Ascent: 300-460m per day
"Walking with beautiful scenery & medieval
villages. Lovely accommodation and owners."
J & T Fawle, UK
When: April, May, June, Sept & Oct
Accomm: 2 Guest houses in historic properties
Basis: B&B plus 5 evening meals & 6 lunches
Centre-based
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Day 4 Day 5 Day 6 Day 7 Day 8
Arrival: Trans-
fer for guided
from Tou-
louse, SG from
Gaillac St Antonin Noble Val:
walk best on Sun:
visit market & explore
most beautiful part of
Aveyron gorge Cordes sur Ciel:
Explore Cordes sur
Ciel, then trail ex-
plores limestone
plateau to the south Puycelsi & Gresigne
forest: from Puycelsi
into Gresigne forest,
the greatest oak forest
in South of France Albi: Rest day or
visit Albi on
banks of the
Tarn. Home to St
Cecile Cathedral Vines & Chateaux:
from Cahuzac, follow
trail through vine-
yards & sunflower
fields in Gaillac region Najac to Laguepie:
train to Najac from
Laguepie. Follow St
James’ Way along
Aveyron Depart:
airport/
station
after
breakfast
12km +300m 16m +350m 13km +390m 17km +460m 15km +320m
48
South West France. Self Guided Walking Holidays