Lugon from the top of Tertre de Thouil

Magnificent views, weather permitting: Saint-André-de-Cubzac, Pont d'Aquitaine, etc.
Passage through Mediterranean-style scrubland, not to mention some beautiful châteaux...
Take care in wet weather, as there is a slippery section.

Details

395887
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.43 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 15 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 335 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 338 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 266 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 23 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Start from the church car park, town hall.

(S/E) With your back to the town hall, turn left along Rue Jules Ferry and walk past the swimming pool. Turn right onto Rue Léo Lagrange, then left at the wayside shrine onto Rue du 8 Mai. At the bend, continue straight ahead along the path through the vineyards until you reach the road.

(1) Go straight on along the road and, as you leave the hamlet of Le Mas, turn left for about 50 metres then right.

(2) At the T-junction, turn right towards Château de Pardaillan and continue along the winding road. At the bottom of the descent, at the Y-junction, keep left alongside a very pleasant property, "Pelet". Immediately after, leave the road and turn right onto the path leading up to the Tertre de Thouil. Pass a path on your left and turn left at a right angle at the next junction.

(3) A good fifty metres further on, turn left then quickly veer right onto the path through the tall grass and reach the top of the hill. Admire the view, which, in good weather, should allow you to see the Saint-André-de-Cubzac water tower opposite and, to the left, the summit of the Pont d’Aquitaine.

(4) Once at the top, turn right and follow the path, making a circular loop to the left. Look to your left at the water tower.

(5) About 100m further on, just before you turn left, look out for the narrow path on your right (somewhat hidden) that winds its way along the hillock and follow it to the road.
Take care as there are a few sections that are quite steep and can be slippery when wet.

(6) When you reach Route de Thouil, turn right. At the first bend, leave the road and take the path on the right that goes uphill, then continue straight on to the hamlet of Sainte-Catherine and theD138E2. Continue to the right until you reach the crossroads.

(7) Carry on straight ahead on theD138E2, towards Meyney. Follow the pond on your left, stay on the D-road and pass through the hamlet of Henault, until you reach the path on the right at the left-hand bend in the road.

(8) Turn right onto the path and head straight on until you reach the road.

(9) Follow it to the right for about 200 m. At the crossroads, turn left towards Château Caneveau.

(10) Pass in front of Château Caneveau and turn right to join the D670E. Follow it to the right and head for the junction, just after the remains of a mill.

(11) Turn right towards Carpentay and follow the small road. Pass the cemetery, then turn right at the end of Rue du 11 novembre 1918, and head towards the centre of Lugon and the town hall square (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 112 ft - Church car park, town hall
  2. 1 : mi 0.72 - alt. 30 ft - Go straight on to the road
  3. 2 : mi 1.35 - alt. 128 ft - Turn right towards Pardaillan
  4. 3 : mi 2.16 - alt. 203 ft - Viewpoint
  5. 4 : mi 2.27 - alt. 230 ft - Top of the Tertre de Thouil
  6. 5 : mi 2.63 - alt. 236 ft - Narrow path on the right
  7. 6 : mi 2.99 - alt. 194 ft - D 246E3 on the right
  8. 7 : mi 3.73 - alt. 200 ft - Crossroads, straight ahead
  9. 8 : mi 4.46 - alt. 266 ft - Path on the right
  10. 9 : mi 5.04 - alt. 236 ft - Route
  11. 10 : mi 5.38 - alt. 226 ft - T on the right
  12. 11 : mi 5.7 - alt. 200 ft - Crossroads, towards Carpentay
  13. S/E : mi 6.44 - alt. 112 ft - Church car park, town hall

Notes

Important: this route takes you off the beaten track. All the landmarks mentioned in the description (place names, castle names, as well as high-voltage power lines, bridges, etc.) are shown on the corresponding IGN 1:25,000 map but are not always included on the scaled-down map.
It is strongly recommended that you either obtain the aforementioned map or use the app on a smartphone, which will also allow you to be geolocated at all times, enabling you to track your movements accurately.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 38 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
Landes4040
Landes4040

Route taken on 1 June 2026 (28 people)
Sections 3 and 4:
- the “hairpin bend” is unclear
- from point 3, find the path on the right to climb up towards the mound, but it is blocked by tall grass; then continue further to reach the tower and turn off into the vineyards
- The route on the map and the GPX file need updating: extend the hairpin bend
- For the less adventurous, from point 3 head straight to point 5
Section 5.6:
- There is indeed a ‘Private Property’ sign: we went through anyway, but with caution
- Rugged terrain but a beautiful view over the valley
- Avoid in wet weather (clay-limestone soil)
Sections 8 and 9:
- Section blocked by numerous horse fences,
- Path blocked in one section
- It is advisable to continue from point 7 via the D 138E2 and, before the hamlet of Meyney, take the path running alongside the cave to reach point 9

Perfect, thank you for taking my comments on board

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Denis26
Denis26 ★

Thank you, Landes4040, for your various comments; I’ve just updated the entry accordingly.

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Landes4040
Landes4040

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Route taken on 1 June 2026 (28 people)
Sections 3 and 4:
- the “hairpin bend” is unclear
- from point 3, find the path on the right to climb up towards the mound, but it is blocked by tall grass; then continue further to reach the tower and turn off into the vineyards
- The route on the map and the GPX file need updating: extend the hairpin bend
- For the less adventurous, from point 3 head straight to point 5
Section 5.6:
- There is indeed a ‘Private Property’ sign: we went through anyway, but with caution
- The route is uneven but offers a beautiful view of the valley
- Avoid in wet weather (clay-limestone soil)
Sections 8 and 9:
- Section blocked by numerous horse fences,
- Path blocked in one section
- It is advisable to continue from point 7 via the D 138E2 and, before the hamlet of Meyney, take the path running alongside the cave to reach point 9

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Denis26
Denis26 ★

Thank you for your various comments; I have just updated the document accordingly.

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Squirrel33
Squirrel33

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route was described very clearly, but I think there’s been a change to the terrain between points 7 and 8. The owner has altered the way you get through that section without putting up any signposts, so the route has changed.

At Rue Leon Blum, the path is now private and a landowner has put a chain across to block the way; I think it’s best to take Rue Becede instead. A little further on to the right, you also pass an old mill.

Otherwise, nothing to report

Squirrel 33

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Stef de Kravezac
Stef de Kravezac

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Amazing. We walked the route as well yesterday (29 March 2026) and fully subscribe to the comments of User 10808596 below. I would/repeat some other previous comments:

  • I'd avoid this walk on wet, rainy days or after long rainy periods;
  • The scenery is average in the spring as the vines are still pretty barren. It must be much more spectacular in the (late) summer and autumn;
  • The loop between 3 and 4 is a bit vague/unclear and difficult to follow on the map, but not a big issue;
  • As said below: between 5 and 6 on what we thought was one of the most attractive parts of the walk (on the hill through the woods), we suddenly bumped into a sign saying 'Propriété Privé - Défense d'Entrer' and 'Réserve de Chasse'. We just plainly ignored it. There was no hunting going on and the terrain (very steep slope) was clearly not adapted to hunting anyway. We survived.
User 10808596

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 29, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with varied and sometimes unusual scenery. Thank you for this route!
I just think it’s a shame that the description hasn’t been updated following repeated reports of blocked sections. You have to read all the comments dating back to November 2021 to realise that the section at Saint-Germain-de-la-Rivière is blocked and that you need to take a detour. Furthermore, there’s a new blockage now which must be recent as it hasn’t been reported yet. So here are the three blocked sections, and how to get round them:
1. Between 5 and 6 (new): the forest path along the edge of the hill is blocked by a ‘No Entry’ fence. You can easily bypass it by taking just two steps to the right, and I think the barrier is unreasonable and, incidentally, not respected at all: it’s pretty much the only section where we encountered other walkers!
2. from 7 to 8: you have to go round via the hamlet of Eymas, as the path goes through a stud farm
3. After 9: in St-Germain-la-Rivière, you need to turn right one street further on than shown on the map, as you come to a padlocked gate that is impossible to get around.
Could someone please update the description? (The author? A moderator?)

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palois
palois

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello. This route was unusable due to thick, dense undergrowth that blocked the path. What a shame.

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User 7565961

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike with a few minor difficulties but nothing excessive, varied scenery, which is much appreciated in our wine-growing region.

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Danyaiki
Danyaiki

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty route. Some sections in the undergrowth are a little tricky (very steep). So avoid in wet weather or after a rainy spell.
Otherwise, a very pleasant walk with some lovely views.

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Gegegadjo
Gegegadjo

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route is well described and easy to follow on the Visorando app.
The route alternates between a little-travelled road and a footpath or vineyard.

Do it in fine weather, but avoid doing it after heavy rain as the descent from Tertre de Thouil is through the forest on a slippery path that is steep in places (between points 5 and 6).

Discover Lugon and St Germain de la rivière. On a clear day, there are superb views and numerous châteaux.

I'd definitely recommend it.

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Serge Bonald
Serge Bonald

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely hilly walk for the region, but with some great views.

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mc.binette@laposte.net
mc.binette@laposte.net

As indicated in the comments, the route is interrupted to take account of the horses' territory.
With GPS, it's easy to get round.
The walk is very beautiful and interesting.

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Chriss 33
Chriss 33

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very varied walk, between woods, vineyards and little-travelled roads;
The Tertre de Thouil unveils its Mediterranean vegetation between holm oaks and junipers, and is easy to climb in hot, dry weather.
Between points 7 and 8, you should go through the hamlet of Eyma and not turn right between the vines, as the horses are still grazing at the end of the path.
Otherwise, there are no particular difficulties if you follow the GPS track.

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Bruno33500
Bruno33500

Thank you for your comments.
Depending on the field used by the horses, you sometimes have to go round it.
Bruno 33500

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