This is the newest activity for the GLC which eventually got off the ground in July 2018 due to an unusually very wet spring that year. It is open to all GLC members; their partners and dogs are also welcome.
Our aim is to walk a new walk once a month (usually the first/second Friday in the month) and re-walk the previous month's walk for those that couldn't make it (usually the following Wednesday). We usually start about 10.00 am during the summer months and then a little later at 11.00 am in the winter months to take advantage of the warmer winter days! This is relaxed walking for pleasure to enjoy the beautiful Gers countryside and is not intended as a competitive hike - sometimes we talk more than we walk!! The locations are varied so that the group can experience different areas of our region. They are always circular and relatively easy to moderate and there is a choice of a shorter walk and a longer walk for the more enthusiastic walkers. Maps and directions both in English and French (where possible) are provided.
Please look at the previous pages (2018/19) for an idea of our walks complete with photos.
If you would like to join our group, please do so using this email address:
Please look at the previous pages (2018/19) for an idea of our walks complete with photos.
If you would like to join our group, please do so using this email address:
Summary of all 2020 walks so far.
- Castelnau d'Auvignon (6kms)/Aurens(8kms)
- Viella (5 kms)
Castelnau d'Auvignon (6 kms)/Aurens (8 kms)
This walk was originally scheduled for November 2019 but due to the very wet weather, we were unable to walk it and it was re-scheduled for our first walk of the New Year in January 2020.
Castelnau d'Auvignon is a very pretty hilltop village perched on a ridge overlooking the Auvignon valley. It was decimated in 1944 and re-built thereafter bearing a grand memorial with patriotism to many local heroes who fought in the resistance. There are many plaques commemorating this period. Castelnau d'Auvignon is located off the Condom/La Romieu road (D41). It is 8 kms from Condom and about 5 kms west from La Romieu. The village is also on the St Jacques de Compostelle route and there are many outstanding views of the surrounding countryside.
From the village, we take the St Jacques de Compostelle path up to the pretty chapel of Ste Germaine which has been and still is a resting place for pilgrims. There are outstanding views back towards Castelnau and of the surrounding countryside. We then continue on to 'les Trois Bornes' where we eventually leave the Compostelle route and head back towards Castelnau.
The second part of the walk continues along another variation of the Compostelle route towards Aurens with good views of Blaziert in the distance. We continue past an ancient chapel used by the Knights Templar but now privately owned. Still on the Compostelle route, we head northwards before turning off and skirting a lake and then continuing our walk back towards Castelnau along the ridge with more excellent views.
Viella (5 kms)
For our February walk, we headed south of Riscle to the largish village of Viella in the heart of the St Mont wine area. From the departure point after about 0.5 kms, we continue through the vineyards and towards the lake. Then we snake uphill in the woods (a little challenging in places!) where we pick up the rural tracks and head towards some houses before turning off and continuing downhill/uphill towards the Chateau of Viella. In the Chateau grounds, we found a 'tunnel of vines' and a very sweet tree house made from an old oak barrel coupled with spectacular views of the surrounding countryside and the Pyrenees. We then made our way past the church back to the starting point.
If you would like to participate in any of these walks or similar walks - please email
and your name will be added to the mailing list for any future walks. Partners and dogs are welcomed into the Group and directions/maps will be emailed to you.
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