Albi & Millau : Valley of the Tarn. Hotel Walking Tour

Light walks, short stages with bags transfer. Hiking from hotel to hotel in Tarn valley.

8 - 11 days packages. You can book extra nights in any of the hotels you stay.

From Albi you walk up-stream in Tarn valley on trails through the lightly wooded hills ensuring you have the splendid views on all of Sud-Aveyron with the Monts de Lacaune and the Haut Languedoc in the South.

Short stages 10-15 km.

Hiking along mellow villages in Tarn Valley: Characteristic houses, castles and the "menus du terroir".
Change of scenery after St. Rome-de-Tarn : Limestone vegetation.

Start in nice old pink UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE CITY of Albi.

The walks start in Albi and through Tarn Valley and the Raspes du Tarn you'll head into the Parc des Grands Causses in Millau (Viaduc de Millau).

By the same tracks you can walk longer stages of daily 15-23 km (H35). Surf here to the H35-page for longer walks up to 23 km a day and walk all the way to Millau through the valley of the Tarn.

The landscape of the Tarn is Mediterranean in character. The beautiful small city of Albi nestles on the River Tarn's banks, dominated by its magnificent cathedral whose fortifications are testimony to more turbulent times during which Albi and surrounding settlements such as Ambialet were attacked first as part of the crusades to suppress the Cathar heresy and later in the Wars of Religion. As you follow the course of the river eastwards, you pass villages of mellow stone-work, and discover the valley unspoiled and full of cultural interest. Staying in comfortable hotels, you will discover the distinctive, rich cuisine of the region, and its excellent wines, such as the flinty Gaillac whites.

Terrain: riverside tracks and woodland paths
Hotels: 2**- and 3*** hotels
Meals: most dinners & breakfast included.

Lunches can be ordered at the hotels. No shops in Ambialet, Villeneuve sur Tarn, Brousse-le-Château, Melvieu and Castelnau Pégayrols.

Climate: this southern region enjoys a lovely Mediterranean climate, with a hot summer and warm spring and autumn. Temperatures average 19°C in May and October, 25°C in June and September, and 27°C in the height of summer.

Tarn valley between Brousse-le-Chateau and Broquies

Starting point: Hotel Saint Claire (B&B **), Albi. This family-run hotel is located in centre of town, just one minute walking from the main sights. Enjoy soignée cuisine in the smart restaurant.
End in Albi (6-9 days packages) or in Millau (10 and 11 days packages)

ALBI is a beautiful, Southern town along the Tarn river. With its beautiful lively orange-red brick old streets, alike Toulouse, from which it is only 75 kms away, its cathedral, of the times of the Cathares and its Museum Toulouse Lautrec it is a perfect start and end for a cultural, gastronomic and active (walking as well as cycling) vacation. Restaurants and hotels in this trip are of excellent quality. You will be walking through the Vallée de l'Amitiee (friendly valley) of the Tarn. On the last day you will get a transfer back to Albi. You will be walking along the slopes of the meandering Tarn River at Ambialet.

Then walking to the little village of Villeneuve sur Tarn in a scenery much alike the Lot valley. Lovely villages on your way like Coupiac with 13^th century castle and Brousse-le-Chateau at Tarn river with 9^th and 12^th century castle. You will enjoy the views on the Cevennes mountains, the Monts de Lacaune and even the Pyrenées if the weather is right.

After St. Rome-de-Tarn the geology changes and you'll enjoy the vegetation of the limestone scenery.

Altitude: 200 - 600m
95 % walking on footpaths.

Brousse-le-Château

The walks Albi-Millau	Distance
Albi ð Marsal ð Ambialet The day starts with a short transfer out of the city. The route then leads along the south bank of the river, through hamlets and woodland along tracks and country lanes that echo the twists and turns of the river. After a short but quite stiff ascent towards the end of the day, you are rewarded with superb views of the river. Elevation gains: 3 times 200m+ and 200m-. Accommodation: Hotel du Pont (2*), Ambialet. Located by the bridge into the village, with gardens leading down to the water's edge, this friendly, comfortable hotel has been run by the same family for over two centuries.	10 or 16 km
Ambialet loops (If you book an extra night here) There are a couple of circular routes around Ambialet, including a walk along quiet country lanes and tracks to the north-east of Ambialet, which affords good views. Alternatively, enjoy a short stroll to the village's 11th century priory before relaxing by the hotel's outdoor pool or on the terrace overlooking the river. Elevation gains: 50+/-, 200+/- and 300+/-	3, 5 and 12 km
Ambialet ð Villeneuve-sur-Tarn like the first day's route, this walk keeps south of the river, echoing its course as it leads through woodland and farmland as well as occasional hamlets. During the course of the day, you reach one of the highest points of the walk, with great views of the river as it meanders through the valley. Elevation gains: 2 times 200+ and 200- Accommodation: Hostellerie des Lauriers (2*), Villeneuve. A small auberge converted from a handsome 18th century stone building, with indoor pool and terrace overlooking the river.	15 km
Villeneuve-sur-Tarn ð transfer to Coupiac ð Brousse-le-Château (transfer to Coupiac included) Transfer to the 14th century village of Coupiac with its beautiful castle. Stone crosses will remind you of crusaders who were very active in this area in 12th century. Coupiac is a pretty village with a Brocante market begin August. Walk onto the plateau where you get panoramic views at Cevennes mountains. The route leads across rolling countryside of open fields and woodland. There are lovely views of the château as you approach your destination, the delightful village of Brousse-le-Château, and reach the Tarn once more. Accommodation: Relays du Chasteau (2*), Brousse-le-Château. This pretty auberge has been run by the same family for several generations and its restaurant is popular with the locals. Elevation gains 200+ and 400m-	11 km
Brousse-le-Château ð Broquiès On the North bank with splendid panaoramas on the Grands Causses Nature park and the Cevennes Mountains. Elevation gains: 200m+ and 200m- Accommodation: 2** hotel with a pool. Possibility of canoe trip in July and August in Broquiès.	11 km
Broquiès ð Melvieu (15 or 18km). Elevation gains: 2x 200m Accommodation: *** Chambre d'hôtes de charme Dinner, B&B.	15 or 18 km
Melvieu ð St.Rome-de-Tarn (15 or 19 km). Elevation gains: 250m- Accommodation: *** Hotel pool	15 or 19 km
St.Rome-de-Tarn ð Castelnau Pégayrols (12 or 19 km) Elevation gains: 300m+ Walk to a medieval city and the Muse Valley. Guesthouse *** with a pool	12 or 19 km
Castelnau Pégayrols ð Millau (14 or 20 km) In the footsteps of dinosaurs. Splendid views on the Millau Viaduct. Elevation loss: -200m Accommodation: ** B &B hotel.	14 or 20 km

	Albi-Millau and Tarn Valley
H33AM	Daily walks 10 - 15 km	Standard

Schedule of the H33AM, short stages Albi-Millau Day stages with light and short walks (max 12 km); Walking grade 2 (out of 7).
Hotels H33 Albi-Millau short walks	8 days	9 days	10 days	11 days
Albi B&B**	d 1	d 1	d 1	d 1
Ambialet DBB pool**	d 2 16 km	d 2 16 km	d 2 16 km	d 2 16 km
Villeneuve sur Tarn DBB pool**	d 3 15 km	d 3 15 km	d 3 15 km	d 3 15 km
Transfer to Coupiac, walking to Brousse-le-Château ** DBB	d 4 11 km	d 4 11 km	d 4 11 km	d 4 11 km
Broquiès DBB pool**	d 5 13 or 17 km	d 5 13 or 17 km	d 5 13 or 17 km	d 5 13 or 17 km
St. Izaire DBB**				d 6 15 km
St. Affrique DBB**	d 6 17 or 23 km		d 6 17 or 23 km	d 7 17 or 23 km
Melvieu * DBB**		d 6 16 or 19 km
St.Rome-de-Tarn *** DBB pool		d 7 20 km	d 7 17 km	d 8 17 km
Castelnau Pégayrols *** DBB pool			d 8 19 km	d 9 19 km
Millau ** B&B (transfer included)	d 7 21 km	d 8 21 km	d 9 20 km	d 10 20 km
Leave after breakfast	d 8	d 9	d 10	d 11
Picnics / lunches can be ordered by yourself at the reception desk. (Price 8 - 12 EURO) Restdays or extra walking days can be booked in all villages/towns. DBB means Dinner, Bed & Breakfast.

H33AM light	standard package Albi-Millau.		Basic rate: in € p.p. in double room, sharing.
2011	B&B	Dinners	Lunches	Basic rate	Suppl. single room	Solo all-in	Bags transfer
H33 light 8 days	7	5	0	715	131	1084	Included
H33 light 9 days	8	6	0	791	167	1194	Included
H33 light 10 days	9	7	0	899	187	1380	Included
H33 light 11 days	10	8	0	972	199	1476	Included
You can book this trip here
Extra nights	B&B	Diner	Lunch	Price p.p.	Suppl. route notes	Suppl. single room	Bags transfer
Albi **	Yes	No	No	46	Free	33	n.a.
Ambialet ** pool	Yes	Yes	No	72	Free	18	n.a.
Villeneuve-sur-Tarn ** pool	Yes	Yes	No	66	Free	23	n.a.
Brousse-le-Château **	Yes	Yes	No	51	Free	13	n.a.
Broquiès ** pool	Yes	Yes	No	59	Free	13	n.a.
Melvieu **	Yes	Yes	No	55	Free	21	n.a.
St. Rome-de-Tarn *** pool	Yes	Yes	No	82	Free	21	n.a.
Castelnau Pégayrols *** pool	Yes	Yes	No	57	Free	21	n.a.
Millau **	Yes	No	No	48	Free	33	n.a.