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.