MTB destination: 5 must-see routes on Mazamet in the heart of Black Mountain

Mazamet, the “heart of the black mountain” town, lives in close harmony with the town Aussillon which borders it along its greatest length. With all the villages located in the hollows of the surrounding mountains, the basin has 25 souls.

In this valley meet three rivers with very different routes:

• The Thoré flowing at the foot of the Montagne Noire takes its source in the Hérault at an altitude of 800m, but as soon as it leaves, part of this water which should make a long journey towards the Atlantic Ocean is lost in limestone to reappear. in the Jaur which flows towards the Mediterranean.
• The Arn flowing on the Anglès plateau from an altitude of 1000m in the Hérault in the form of a torrent settles down by filling the Saint Peyres reservoir then flows in gorges to the valley.
• The Arnette flowing in a hollow of the Montagne Noire from 1000m above sea level, takes its source in the Aude at the foot of the Pic de Nore. It sees its flow vary from a simple stream to more than 40m3 / s because the westerly winds, loaded with the humidity collected above the ocean, come to cause torrential rains.

It is the Arnette which, crossing the agglomeration, largely contributed to the industrial development of the city based on the stripping of sheepskins from 1850 to 1980; the road which follows its bed bears the name of "road of the factories" which, today almost all disappeared.

Mazamet is a haven of peace and if you love nature, come and enjoy more than 2300 hours of sunshine a year.

For an average altitude of 250m, Mazamet is surrounded by terrain with very varied profiles. The Montagne Noire in the south with an average altitude of 1000m with slopes to scare downhill specialists, the Anglès plateau, to the north, more rounded with an average altitude of 700m and the Causse de Labruguière, flat and limestone , 300m above sea level. These three formations are traversed by many streams which give the mountain bike routes their great variety, tracks in chestnut forests, sunken paths in the edges and single tracks are not lacking and can be chosen for their horizontal or chaotic, steep or panoramic routes, straight or crooked.

For your visits, go see its tourist office

Activities are offered all year round: Hiking, water fun, sports and leisure and entertainment such as the exhibition theater, shows and many others.

MTB routes not to be missed

Our selection of the most beautiful mountain biking trails in the area. Be careful to make sure they are appropriate for your level.

The Artigues fountain

On a slope in the sun you climb onto the Anglès plateau following single tracks in the hedges useful to farmers and you will discover an old-fashioned nature, small fields, small farms and small groves but of great beauty, for finishing the descent is done in, and next to, the Arn gorges with their hydraulic power stations and their large supply pipes. This outing could have been called "Tour of the commune of Pont de l'Arn", it puts you in contact with all forms of terrain and the annual evolution of nature gives you the impression of a first each time. exit.

Points of view

While staying less than 5km as the crow flies from your starting point, you will travel the northern slope of the Montagne Noire and enjoy very pretty views over the valley. But as you are on this slope, the differences in height and slopes quickly become important. This outing was one of my training outings for a long time, today I sometimes go to one of these points of view to watch the city live and to do time-lapses on the passage of the clouds and the movement of their clouds. shadow over the plain.

Cascade de Cup Tableware

Small village located on a promontory above the Rieutort which drops 90m before joining the Orbiel and rejoining the Aude at Carcassonne. To get there you have to go over the Black Mountain which leaves few passages below the altitude of 900m. The beauty of the site will make you come across painters and many walkers. This outing has the advantage of making us change climate, from the southern slope you can see the Pyrenees and you will cross a large field of wind turbines, proof that these peaks are traversed by strong westerly winds and the famous wind from Autan.

Roc de Peyremeaux and glassworks of Peyremoutou

This 45m high granite formation perched at an altitude of 1000m is visible from the entire valley. To access it I chose a route with the most uniform rising profile possible and to enter the northern route of the Montagne Noire, which is very shaded. keeps you cool in summer. Very nice outing, I never do it alone, because it is a part of France that could be considered a desert, because for 30km you do not cross any road and are 10km from any habitation.

Mountain bike laugh

Mazamet is located in the last fold of the Massif Central before the first hills created by the birth of the Pyrenees. Due to its altitude, the Montagne Noire serves as a water reserve for a large area. Pierre Paul Riquet understood this and when he plotted the Canal du Midi created several reservoirs which will feed it. This hike will take you alongside 7 dams, all of different design and 3 are linked to the Canal du Midi by the “Rigole”. On arrival you have the possibility to relax by going around the lake of Saint Ferréol on foot and swimming there in summer. I created this course, which alone is not a loop, one day when all the non-mountain bikers of the club wanted to meet at the edge of a lake, it was one of the club's most memorable days for them, but also for all mountain bikers who often include it in their outing project.

To see or do absolutely

A few must-see places if you have time.

Mazamet footbridge

Himalayan footbridge connecting the village of Hautpoul to the ruins of Saint Sauveur (N 43 ° 28,7 E 2 ° 22,53). At the southern exit of Mazamet, direction Pic de Nore, you have the car park from which a steep path leads you to the ruins of Saint Sauveur. There is no lack of sensations and the viewpoint over Mazamet from Hautpoul is a must. Don't forget to go to La Maison du Bois et du Jouet located below on the Route des Usines.

The Pic de Nore

Always by the southern exit of Mazamet, 25Kms from the city you will climb to 1210m (N 43 ° 25,45 E 2 ° 27,8) to see a large part of the south of France: Tarn, Hérault, Aude and all Pyrenees. Go there at sunrise and you will see its reflection on the sea. It remains one of the points of France where on July 14 you count more than 10 fireworks including that of Carcassonne, during the day the castle is visible with binoculars.

The Sidobre

North of Mazamet, 37km passing through Castres then Lacrouzette you will reach a place where the granite is exposed and takes the most varied shapes. The Sidobre (N 43° 39,1 E 2° 22,6).

To see the granite museum where you will admire the most solid of our ambassadors found all over the world: the granite of Sidobre. Visit this museographic space which will allow you to learn more about this “mother” rock. Discover the work of granite, from yesterday to today, from its extraction to the processing workshops.

To taste in the surroundings

Main dishes

• Melsat and bougnette, two specialties made from eggs, bread and pork, the first is cooked in boiling water and the other is fried.
• Easter liver salad, radish salad, hard-boiled eggs, white onions and dried pork liver.

Location

• Frésinat, a mountain Tarn stew composed of pork (collar), garlic, parsley, onions and potatoes.
• The porcini mushrooms from the Montagne Noire, in a pan or in an omelet.
• Cassoulet, an emblematic specialty of the South-West, stew of white beans simmered for a long time and served with goose or duck confit.

Boucherie Charcuterie Mouret Patrick, 26, avenue Maréchal Foch in Mazamet

Dessert

• The pumpet or poumpet, a fairly flat rectangular cake made from puff pastry, sweet, flavored with lemon and bergamot. Formerly made with lard or goose fat, nowadays replaced by butter. The recipe here.

• The croustade: a traditional dessert from the South-West, is a round, crispy and caramelized puff pastry cake. It comes in several versions: apples, prunes, grapes and figs. The recipe here.

• And the delicacies found at the Chocolaterie Castagne, Résidence Hôtel de ville.

Accomodation