Gijounet lies in the Gijou Valley, surrounded by forests and meadows with numerous springs and small streams. Two route profiles can help guide your plans: the 9.4-kilometre Malefayère circular trail and the greenway from Gijounet to Lacaune. The circular trail passes through the forest and starts and ends at the same car park below the village. The greenway, by contrast, follows the Gijou along the former railway line of the “Petit Train”.

Circular trail or greenway?

The Malefayère route is moderately difficult. On the circular trail, follow the Sentier de la Portanelle and pass the ruins of Siane. Its length, difficulty level and circular layout provide concrete points to help you decide whether this route is right for you. The car park below the village is both the starting and finishing point. As route conditions and parking arrangements may change, check both before your visit.

The greenway offers different points of reference: its course along the Gijou, the former railway line and the landscape along the route. It passes through shady stretches of forest and narrow, deeply cut valleys. A series of tunnels and viaducts follows at Gourp Fumant. You can therefore choose between the two routes based on their respective features: Malefayère is a moderately difficult circular trail with named waypoints, while the greenway follows the river and the former “Petit Train” line.

Plan your starting point and journey

Parking for the greenway is available at the lieu-dit Combelaine in Gijounet, towards Viane, at the salle des fêtes de Gijounet and at the Pont de Carausse car park (D81). As parking arrangements may change, check the situation before setting off and choose your starting point accordingly. For Malefayère, the start and finish are at the car park below the village; this information can help you plan your journey to this circular trail separately.

LiO bus routes 763 and 766 stop in Gijounet. If you are travelling by bus, check the current timetable before departure. This lets you account for your journey as a separate planning step, regardless of which of the two routes you choose.

Church, valley and other points of reference

The village’s history is also reflected in a specific building: Notre-Dame Church in Gijounet was built in 1872, and its bell tower was completed in 1890. If you would like to include a historical point of interest as well as the trails during your stay, this clearly identified destination is right in the village.

The landscape is characterised by the forests and meadows around Gijounet, as well as the many springs and small streams in the Gijou Valley. Further afield, the entire Gijou River is classified as a Natura 2000 site. This classification applies to the river along its wider course; check current regulations if they are relevant to your plans.

When choosing a holiday rental in Gijounet, you can start by deciding which type of route you want to shape your stay around: the circular trail with its car park below the village, or the greenway along the Gijou and the former railway line. Include the starting point for your chosen route in your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Jouqueviel, Les Cabannes, Lavaur, Montpinier, Montirat, Lacrouzette, Vielmur-Sur-Agout, Curvalle.

View the main travel guide: Tarn.