BoumTAC

My Walking Journey - Episode 2

Published on April 6, 2025

After my first walking journey of 21 km to Montastruc-la-Conseillère, I decided today to do a second one.

I better prepared my route, longer, about thirty kilometers in total, but with almost exclusively hiking trails along the Garonne River.

I took the train from Toulouse to Grisolles, then walked back home.

The deserted streets of Grisolles on Sunday morning
The deserted streets of Grisolles on Sunday morning

This was followed by 40 minutes of walking to leave Grisolles and reach the hiking trails.

The first hiking trail
The first hiking trail

Once this path was reached, the walk really began. It's pleasant to be only about twenty kilometers from Toulouse, but in the middle of nature, with no one around.

The path continues through the fields
The path continues through the fields

The first ten kilometers passed easily. I was in great shape and covered them in less than two hours.

My arrival in the town of Ondes
My arrival in the town of Ondes

What made the journey so pleasant was the total emptiness: not a single person encountered on these beautiful trails on a Sunday morning, only a few rabbits.

The dining is good
The dining is good

Superb trails
Superb trails

Still no one on the paths
Still no one on the paths

It was an idyllic setting: beautiful sunshine, 18 degrees, neither too hot nor windy. I couldn't have dreamed of better!

A small path behind the church of Saint-Caprais
A small path behind the church of Saint-Caprais

Upon arriving at Saint-Caprais, I had almost no water left. I had only left with one liter. I found a gentleman gardening in his garden. I asked him to fill my water bottle, and off I went again!

I was so focused on the passing time and the distance I had left that I didn't even take time to chat with him for 5 minutes. I regret that a bit.

A long straight road that was very long to walk.
A long straight road that was very long to walk.

More and more trails
More and more trails

I continued on my way. I was beginning to tire and my pace was dropping. After 4.5 hours of walking, I hit a wall. I had only brought a few cookies with me, and I was already almost out.

I encountered a young snake, barely bigger than an earthworm. The only difference from an earthworm was that it had scales and a snake's head. I took a video of it but it's so small that it doesn't show up well.

A lake at Saint-Jory
A lake at Saint-Jory

Fatigue was really starting to get to me at Saint-Jory. I still had two good hours of walking ahead of me, and my trail ended there. I had to temporarily walk for 40 minutes on asphalt in full sun before being able to take a trail again.

The peaceful solitude of the trails
The peaceful solitude of the trails

I was approaching the end, walking slower and slower. There were starting to be a few walkers. With fatigue, I slowed down even more.

The reflections of the Garonne under the sun
The reflections of the Garonne under the sun

After just under 7 hours of walking, I finally reached the end of my walking journey. It was a much better experience than the first time. The route was really great, the journey longer and more pleasant (although I didn't leave with enough food), and the weather conditions were perfect.

It was a superb experience!