Discovering Forgotten Trails: My Walking Journey from Toulouse to Montastruc-la-Conseillère

Published on March 24, 2025

For several months now, an idea has been brewing in my mind: to embark on a multi-day walking journey, traveling the old-fashioned way from one city to another. Toulouse-Albi or Toulouse-Castres via small roads – that's what I dream of. But before launching into such an adventure, I wanted to test my ability to walk 30 to 40 km in a single day.

So on March 23rd, I set myself the goal of reaching Saint-Sulpice-la-Pointe from my neighborhood of Lalande in Toulouse, a route of approximately 33 km.

Preparation: The Key to Success

To prepare my journey, I used GPX Studio, an easy-to-use website that relies on OpenStreetMap data via Mapbox. Perfect for spotting small paths that would be invisible on other maps.

Once my route was created, I loaded it onto my phone with OrganicMaps, an application that works offline. And off I went at 8:30 in the morning, phone in airplane mode to stay disconnected and fully present in the moment.

First Steps on Familiar Ground

I first crossed the Borderouge neighborhood via small paths that run along the ring road, up to Union Lake. A familiar route I had already traveled many times by bike. Forty minutes after my departure, I encountered Sunday morning runners already in full stride, and still-sleepy parents watching their children on playgrounds. A scene both mundane and touching.

I continued to the Saint-Jean industrial zone, another place I knew from my bike outings. The contrast with the lake was striking: on a Sunday morning, the zone was completely deserted. Only one man was doing interval training on the hill.

The Unknown Begins, and Adventure With It

This is where the real adventure truly began. I no longer knew the way; everything was new. After 1.5 hours of walking, fatigue began to set in, but walking had something profoundly relaxing about it. I had time to observe everything around me, to let my thoughts wander. I imagined myself as Aristotle, philosophizing with each step. An extremely pleasant sensation.

I followed the railway line that connects Toulouse to Albi. The crowds had thinned, and the profile of walkers had changed: morning athletes had given way to retirees and dog walkers.

I discovered paths that weren't necessarily beautiful, but pleasant to travel. Trails I would never have taken if I hadn't undertaken this journey.

It's strange to walk along the rails. When you're on the train, you don't imagine there are people walking right beside it. The further I got from Toulouse, the more solitude settled in. It was like a form of meditation.

Through the Communes: Another Perspective

I crossed the hidden small paths of Saint-Jean and Rouffiac. A stop near a cemetery allowed me to refill my half-empty water bottle. It's fascinating to realize that so close to home, the environment can be so different, on roads I would never have taken otherwise.

The surprises were numerous: a mundane residential area might hide an uninviting path that, once taken, leads under a bridge and opens onto a lovely park. Walking on foot reveals these hidden little treasures.

The Flip Side: Departmental Roads

Upon reaching Castelmaurou, the charm somewhat dissipated. Curiously, trails became scarcer. I found myself walking on country roads that were almost deserted, especially on a Sunday morning, but the experience was no longer the same.

Small urban forests and lakes gave way to fields and farms. I passed a large abandoned building in the middle of nowhere, a strange testimony to what you can discover when you take time to observe.

An hour and a half later, I reached Garidech, but the journey had been nothing but a succession of departmental roads. Weariness set in. My phone confirmed the absence of trails in the vicinity; I had no choice but to continue on these small roads.

The Reasonable Decision

Fatigue and boredom began to weigh on me. I still had about twenty kilometers to reach Saint-Sulpice-la-Pointe. Montastruc-la-Conseillère was the next town on my path, but I realized that the route to my final destination was just a succession of small roads, without trails. I decided I would stop at Montastruc and return by train.

Just before arriving, a bright spot in my journey: a small path along the river. It was divine! Exactly what I had set out for. After two hours of monotonous road, I finally rediscovered what I was seeking. Unfortunately, this moment of grace didn't last – less than a kilometer, and I was back on the road.

The Return

Still following the railway line, I soon arrived at Montastruc-la-Conseillère. Luckily, checking my phone, I discovered that a train to Toulouse was passing ten minutes after my arrival at the station. An opportune end to my expedition.

Assessment and Perspectives

Despite everything, it was an enriching experience. I had never walked for so long. I discovered places I was delighted to have seen. The rural part was admittedly monotonous, but this day offered me precious meditation time. The weather was ideal: cloudy, without sun or wind, with just a brief passing shower – perfect conditions for walking and letting one's mind wander.

If I try the experience again, I'll take more time to study the route and ensure I don't find myself too long on small roads. However, I fear that options may be limited in our region. Perhaps other territories should be explored!