Sentier des dunes de Maraval aux Touardes
This pleasant loop takes you to the heart of the Cordais hills to discover a rare landscape: the red dunes of Maraval. Formed by a tropical climate dating back more than 250 million years, they create a unique setting of ravines, hillocks and clay soils where vegetation remains sparse. Classified as a Sensitive Natural Area, this fragile site invites you to explore while respecting the fauna, flora and local customs.
Further on, the path crosses meadows and woods before reaching the village of Tonnac. The heir to a Visigothic settlement, it has preserved its church and quiet streets, witnesses to a long rural history.
With its astonishing geology, sensitive nature and heritage, this easy hike combines a change of scenery with discovery.
Description
- In front of the starting sign, near the car park, take the path that leads into the woods.
- You are now entering the clay dunes of the Rougier de Maraval. Please note: you are now entering a Sensitive Natural Area (ENS): stay strictly on the marked path; on either side you are on private property.
- Turn left towards La Vernière. Pass by the foot of the hamlet and join the D91 departmental road. At this point, there is a shorter 5.34 km option (1 hour 45 minutes) by taking the path on the right.
- Cross the departmental road and continue straight ahead until you reach the small road. Take it on the right, pass in front of the Mouline and continue for another 400 m.
- Turn onto the path on the right.
- Shortly before reaching the road, turn right, go up the path along the edge of the field and join a farm track. Turn left towards Tonnac.
- At the road, turn left, cross the D33 and follow the path up to the village church. Go around the church on the left, cross the village to the cemetery. If you are starting from Tonnac: the loop begins here. After the cemetery, turn right and go down to the D33. Turn left onto it for 130m and turn right to go up towards the D91.
- Cross the main road and take the path through the fields. At the track, turn right. At the next intersection, ignore the path on the right (arrival of the alternative route) and take the path opposite which descends through the woods to the entrance of the Maraval estate. Take the road on the right and return to the starting point.
- Departure : Car park on the Chemin de Maraval local road
- Arrival : Same place as the start
- Towns crossed : Labarthe-Bleys, Vindrac-Alayrac, and Tonnac
Forecast
Altimetric profile
Recommandations
A Sensitive Natural Area (ENS) is a site protected by the Department of Tarn. These are natural environments that are remarkable for their biodiversity, scenic interest or heritage value.
The scheme has the dual objective of preserving the ecological richness of these fragile places and making them accessible to the public, with a view to respectful discovery.
The Maraval dunes are one such site: a rare landscape, shaped by geological history, to be explored while bearing in mind the fragility of the species that live there.
Information desks
Maison Fonpeyrouse, 34 Grand rue Raimond VII, 81170 Cordes-sur-Ciel
Place de la libération, 81600 Gaillac
Transport
Cordes-Vindrac station, 4 km from the starting point
Access and parking
2 possible starting points:
1/ FROM LABARTHE-BLEYS: 9 km from Cordes sur Ciel via the D600 towards Marnaves, then turn left onto the Maraval communal road. There is a car park at the start of the trail ⚠️ Dead end: turn around at the car park to start again
2/ FROM TONNAC: the loop can also be done from the village of Tonnac (information board in the car park next to the cemetery) - 9 km from Cordes sur Ciel via the D91
Parking :
Accessibility
- Emergency number :
- 114
Report a problem or an error
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