Above the gorge d'heric

Glorious walk on the west side of the gorge d'heric this morning. I love this walk, it's one of my favourites. The walk starts from the top of the village on a small red marked route. At the top of the route it changes to yellow and the comes down to join the ravine path marked red/yellow to return to Mons. Wonderful views but can be tricky to follow the route and has some crossings of scree and rocks. 3 hours.

Lac du Salagou

Glorious walk at Lac du Salagou. Yellow. 10km. 3.30h .It is an easy walk either along the edge of the northern shore of the lake or on the middle track, halfway up the hill. A return route is then made either on the top track or the middle one. There is a beautiful deserted village on the shore of the lake which was a valley, dammed and flooded back in 1950. A lovely chapel and a village on the hillside is also on the route. The views here are wonderful and in summer it's a lovely place to swim and picnic. Mind you we did today as it was 24c. Not bad for almost November.

Saint Julien.

St Julien. 3km. 1 hour with a stop at the priory. A lovely walk up to the priory and onto Les Hort. The walk starts at a car park beside the pretty chateau on the Voie verte. From there walk up to the priory where you can sit and enjoy a picnic and the views. Then carry on following the little printed signs for the walk. At first the route crosses the road and decends down the little road opposite. This goes through trees and beside a stream before climbing to the small road above that leads into Les Hort. If you want to continue up to the castle above its another hour return from the village. Now descend on the small track road below and turn at the wooden chalet. The track bears right and joins the road where you turn left then take the tiny path up onto the voie verte. 100m return to the parking from here.

Villemagne-l'Argentière.

A 2 hour walk from the Pont du Diable at Villemagne-l'Argentière to St Andre and back down the GR through Clairac and Lagure to return to the 13th century bridge. It was a very pretty walk with lovely views of the beautifully clear river Mare. After crossing the river the views of the vineyards, villages and lovely hills could really be appreciated from the lovely rises. This is a mainly level walk on small tracks and little paths.

Park at the picnic area beside the pont du Diable Follow the GR (red/white) to the road, cross the bridge, walk up the little road to St Andre, turn right at the road and cross to the vineyard track after about 200m turn down the track to cross a tiny bridge in the vineyard and walk through the vineyard to the village. Turn left in the village and walk up to the top of the hill turn right down a little path marked Red/white for the GR and cross the little road at the bottom. Go down the track to the hamlet and then take the steps at the bottom following the GR. The GR turns right down a walled path and left onto the track that you started on. Soon you will reach the Pont du Diable again.

Circuit archeologique, Joncels.

Circuit archeologique, Joncels. 9km/blue markers/3h. This is a lovely woodland walk on the causse above Joncels. The walk leaves the lovely village and passes the little school before climbing up onto the causse. A visit is quickly made to the ruins of a small chapel or holy building with cross on the stones. The route continues on a wide track before leave this on your left and following a small path through the old chestnut woods. When you reach the track again turn right,leaving the GR. Continue up hill to the reach a water tank and keep straight on. You will soon reach some good open views of the other side of the hill. Keep right reaching shortly a large carved stone. Was this stone for milling corn or a sacrificial stone? Who knows but really fascinating and makes a great stop to stop for a picnic. Keep right and don't miss where the route takes a tiny path up onto the Causse Froid. There are grassy fields with cattle and horses up here. Soon you descend into Joncels. Now don't forget to have a good look around the village. Pass through the arch, wander its tiny streets and the cloisters of the abbay.

Caroux.

Stunningly beautiful walk on the Caroux today. I didn't hurry, just kept plodding on and was out for almost 7 hours. Phoebe (my dog) is sleeping now. Leaving Mons I walked down through the woods(yellow/red markers) to the gorge (the walk could be started from the gorge car park, but not having a car...). Walk up the gorge to the little footpath bridge that drops down to your right. Keep left and up the steep path on yellow/red markers. Follow this path for 1 hour to the col and then on passed the cairns to reach the junction of footpath signs. Now follow the red markers to your left up to the top of the Caroux. It's another hour on from the col of climbing. (if at this point you have had enough of climbing take the yellow path down to St Martin and continue on to return to the gorge car park, it's not for everyone going up). Once you reach the beech woods you will see a small refuge (hut). Font Salesse. Now turn left and follow the blue markers This lovely trail takes you down across the rocks to a lovely high valley above the rocks of the gorge (you can continue down the blue trail on a tricky route or up onto the rocks that form Cebena's head). Watch out for eagles up here. I saw a couple. wonderful to watch. After crossing the stream go up to the top of the route and turn right. Continue along this beautiful edge enjoying the sublime scenery until you coming to an orange triangle on your left marking a route down from the rocks. Go down here and join the GR7. Turn left and continue on the GR7 Red/white markers down through the beech and chestnut trees of this beautiful old path, crossing little stream. Watch out for the mouflons. I saw herds of the up there and a young one nearly ran into me. Finally cross the little bridge but don't go into Heric unless you fancy some refreshments in the little cafe there. Now keep left and continue down on the gorge road to the bottom. After the car park turn right by the house with railings to return to Mons on the yellow/red route. Very beautiful route.