Gorge d'Heric and the ravine path to Bardou.

My beautiful walk up the ravine to the col de Bardou, Baou Filiti, point d'Heric, Heric, down the gorge d'heric and back to Mons through the chestnut woods.

The weather was like summer, just so lovely. This is a very easy walk to follow with some uphill sections at the beginning. It's not a difficult walk but takes about 4 hours.

After parking in Mons follow the red/yellow markers up through the village and all the way up the ravine path to the col de Bardou.

There are lovely views all the way along this part of the walk, stop and enjoy the views while you are climbing up the little stoney paths.

When you get to the col, be sure to cross the junction and take the little blue path to the look out at Baou Filiti it's only about 200m off your route and the views down into the gorge d'heric are divine.

Now retrace your steps to the col and take the RG7 red/white down to the gorge by turning left here.

It's a steep path and there are leaves on the path now so be careful if they become wet or deeper. Cross the pont d'Heric and make your way up to the hamlet of Heric where there is a little cafe.

Now follow the little gorge road back down to the gorge car park. Don't go into it but keep on the road until you reach a blue, red/yellow marker turning right. This will take you back through the chestnut woods to Mons.

Riols, on the Notre-Dame-de-tredos route

Riols, on the Notre-Dame-de-tredos route. 7km, 2h yellow on part of route. The full route is 13km/4.30h marker yellow and takes you up to the chapel and back along two magnificent ridges which are covered in golden chestnuts and green oak.

The views are amazing up here, on to the beautiful mountains of the Somail, Espinouse and Avant monts.

The high mountains above are covered in bronze beech trees and you can even see up to the waterfalls of the Saut de Vezoles, it's just such a beautiful route. Starting from the pretty village of Riols on the D908 between Olargues and St Pons you can find plenty of parking at the starting point next to the lovely little bridge.

We left the parking and followed the D176 to a short cut that that rejoins and continues to just before another bridge where you turn off left on a little stoney track through the shaded woods. You just keep going on this beautiful path as it makes its way uphill though little oaks and chestnuts. We had a vets appointment and had to cut the long walk short this time. Can't wait to finish it!

We turned off left on the second little track down on the col above Mezouilhac. The track, although wide was rather overgrown and frequented by more wildbore that humans.

We meet the little valley road (D176E1) just after a small bridge and headed left towards the pretty hamlet of La Vignole and Riols.

The main walk continues on the ridge to thee chapel turning north and then west along the north side of the valley. Although it's an incline at the start of the walk, it's not steep and is a most lovely walk

Gorge d'Heric.

A short walk down to the gorge through the chestnut woods. After lunch with friends we took them down to the gorge to enjoy a walk and a coffee by the river. Lots of water in the Heric today after the rain a couple of days ago.

Mons. A short walk.

Lovely walk down to buy bread from the village bakers this morning. The sun is shining and it's a beautiful day. Staying on the blue walk down from the church and back. One of my favourite views. 

Les ruffes- Brenas

Les ruffes- Brenas. 2.30H 7km. Easy. Blue markers.This is a lovely country ramble with a mix of the red volcanic rock of the Salagou valley, fields grazed by sheep, cattle and horses while others are already planted with winter wheat.

You won't see and vines here, but you will see castles perched on rocky outcrops , beautiful views, oak wood slopes, little streams and ruined stone buildings and quite a number of beautiful old crosses.

Start by taking the little D157 to Brenas.

It's tucked away at the top of a most beautiful wild valley that leads down to Lac du Salagou and is steeped in history and natural beauty.

Turn off the road and go through the hamlet of Bernas.

It's only tiny so don't blink but at the other end of the little street with its pretty stone houses and collie dogs that always seem to be wandering about you will come to a small car park next to the church.

The people of Brenas seem to welcome their visitors with not just one walk but two and plenty of cycle routes from here too.

Don't muddle the two different walks. The map refers to the lovely wooded walk that goes up the hill behind to the north of the hamlet whereas the signposted walk "Les ruffes" is the one that you will follow on this walk.

If you like you can combine the two walks to double the distance and walk in two totally different valleys.

After parking walk back towards the hamlet but take the first little turn that goes down a small alley between two houses.

Turn left and and then right onto a the D157. Almost straight away you will see a small grassy path on the left go down this path and pass the first cross.

The path reaches a farm and turns right. The little lane very soon becomes a rough track which winds its way downhill past another farm and after quite some while reaches the valley bottom road.

Turn right and walk for about 200m until at a bend by a bridge you take the track to your right. Keep on this track which follows the little stream all the way up to a stone building where it turns off to the right.

There is a place where you need to cross the stream and then regain the track once more.  There are  also a few places where you have to cross electric fences here.

They are all good and have hand protectors where you need to remove them to pass through. Be careful to replace them as this is farmland and there a number of different animals about.

Keep to the right of the stone hut and make your way careful uphill through the little red hills.

There are blue markers here but no too many and it's not always easy to see where the little path goes. The path crosses the little stream and reaches a ridge with more lovely views of the valley below and the castles too.

The track goes to the left here and up to the tiny hamlet of Campillergues which appears to have been lost in time.

The track double back around the hamlet and continues as a small road until you reach a tiny path with a blue marked step on a bend.

Follow this little rather overgrown  path to reach the road, D157. Turn right here and walk past some lovely oak woods and a couple of crosses before returning to the hamlet of Brenas.