Lac de Vezoles and the "sentier de legende du saut de Vezoles"

Lac de Vezoles and the "sentier de legende du saut de Vezoles". 11km,3H.30M.Yellow (some parts are also red/white) The walk of lake itself is very easy and of about 5.5km distance (around 2 hours)mostly flat walking. The second part has a downhill part with spectacular views and a gentle ascent through woodland on the return.

This part is around 4.5km distance and around 1H.30m. It was so hot in the valley today (around 38c) so we returned to the Espinouse and Somail mountains for our walk, where it was a pleasant  24c. Take the D169 to the main parking area for the lake in the woods, then walk towards the lake but turn off to the left as the road comes out into the open. Take this yellow marked trail down to the lake's edge (west side of the lake) and continue following the trail past a pleasant picnic area in beech woods and through pine woods.

There are plenty of places all around the lake to enjoy a paddle or let your dog have a dip. The trail goes through cut wooded which has recently been replanted but you still have the shade of trees on the lake's edge. There are meadow areas and boardwalks here too before you reach the forest road and a small stream going into the lake.

Turn right here and pass a group of stone buildings used by groups for outdoor stays. Before the next junction you will see a yellow marker to your right in the parking area for the buildings, take this and follow it through a beech lined small draille beside a meadow. On this section you will also see the red/white GR markers. You are now on the eastern side of the lake heading south.

The little draille rejoins the main track for a short while(turn right onto it) before turning off it to your right once more. You are now near to the lake once more. The route now leads up past a lovely cool picnic area under old beech trees and beside a small stream. On joining the main track once more bear right past three old stone buildings and keep to the track until you reach another turn to your right onto a meadow.

After this meadow area join the main path, turning right once more onto it through the woods.At a junction turn right and head down to the barrier. You are next to the lake here once more. The lake is still pretty low at the moment due to repairs to the barrier during the winter but it's still a lovely blue in the sunshine. Cross the dam/barrier and head uphill to the rocks where the road begins. At the rocks take the little path to your right if you want to do the second part of the walk or head back down the road to the cars if you don't.

The little path now goes along the edge of the mountain with superb views down to the valley below, the somail, Espinouse and the Pyrenees and the coast in the distance. After a couple of lovely rocky viewpoints it heads down through a wooded path and back up then bearing left it descends on heather slopes to a magnificent viewpoint.

From the viewpoint you can see and hear the wonderful waterfalls of the Saut de Vezoles, that tumble down the rocky mountain slopes to a lovely path that descends into the valley(well that walk is for another day). Now the path heads to a forest track where you will see yellow markers both turning left and right. Turn right and head up along this pleasant forest road past another old stone building until you come to a junction. The yellow route now leaves this track to your left and reaches the edges of a small pond before returning to this track.

If you do not wish to take this detour continue on the track past another building and soon you will reach a turn to your right on a small path just where the track widens out. The path directs you to the Saut de Vezoles through the woods, but it will bring you back to the parking area very soon. Once you see the parked cars to your left there will be a track to your left at the top of the slope leading down to them. This is a very lovely walk and apart for a few sections it offers a cool walk with lovely views. Enjoy.