Le Pioch Arnaud, a pretty rural walk in the Herault, Languedoc.

A real little gem of a walk today. A pretty, rural walk in the hills of Villemagne. Easy, 7.5km, 2h, with no markings.

The walk starts in Herepian, either at the Intermarche or at the parking place beside the D922. We started at the Intermarche where there is parking for the piste vert (greenway). 

Walk up behind the store to find the greenway and turn left. When you reach the D922 turn right and in a very short distance you take the little road to your left (Pradelles Avenue). Then take the small road on your right (chemin des cherries) that goes up the hill. 

You arrive at a first junction (orchard), continue up taking a left at the next junction. There is a faint blue marker on a rock here. The track curls up the hill, passing a kennel and then reaches a small stone mazet with red and yellow markings. 

Take the track to the right which descends past a small dump and some orchards and reaches the road at Villemange. Cross the road and turn left into the village. It's a really sweet village with a lovely old church and places to eat if you wish to have lunch there.

Cross the river on the small bridge and turn right to walk along the river bank. It's a nice place for a picnic with some benches.

When you reach a small cross turn left and climb the small hill. at the next fork take a right turn and continue up the hill to pass a stone building. At the next junction take another right, the views are lovely on the whole walk but here you seem to have a view of the whole valley and the Caroux too. 

The area is full of little orchards full of cherry blossom and vineyards. Continue on this small concrete road for about 1.5km and then go down to the bridge over the greenway. This is the junction with the Intermarche. 

It's a most beautiful walk and easy to follow even without route markings. I loved all the open views, spring flowers, village views, following the pretty river and walking in the vineyards and orchards. Just such a lovely walk.