Le Tour du Bessio. Herault.

Le Tour du Bessio. 1H 35. easy. 5km. This pretty walk, taking in three little hamlets is not marked although part of the walk is on the GR. Starting in La Billiere, reached by the D22 from Lamalou-les-bains. Park in the small car park behind the old school building and return to the road. Turn left past the church and keep left at the next turn. Head up to the right and out of the hamlet. Here turn left up the track and keep on this track as it winds up the hill passing small vineyards and lovely views of the valley. Take the right turn to reach a small road. Turn left here and head into the hamlet of Le Tourel. Just before the turn in the road you will see a left turn down a small path marked red/white GR. When you reach a small stone building turn right down the little track between the fields. The track takes you down to some pretty waterfalls at Le Cros. Keeping left over the bridge and left down a small road to cross another bridge over the stream. Here you will find a stone cross marking the place where two children died in the river back in 1867. The little road passes new chestnut fields and returns left over the bridge to the hamlet. A very pretty walk whatever time of year.

Lac de Vezoles,

Lac de Vezoles, 2H 6km. Yellow. Easy. This is a level walk that enjoys beautiful views across the Jaur valley of the Avant Monts and the Pyrenees. Good parking next to the lake or at the picnic area. The lake is situated on the top of the beautiful Espinouse and can be reached from the D169 off the Col de Cabaretou above St Pons de Thomieres. After parking walk over the dam barrier and continue up through the woods to reach a left turn. Following the yellow markers turn left towards the lake. The path undulates between beech trees and meadows. There are several picnic areas along the route. At the end of the lake there is a long stone building (camp blanc) turn left here and cross the stream on the track. Now turn left again into the trees and continue along the other side of the lake. There are several areas of boardwalks on this side and plenty of opportunities to enjoy the beach too. Continuing on you will reach the parking. If parking in the picnic area you will pass the Saut de Vezoles look out, otherwise walk up to it from the lake. It is also possible to extend this walk to a 3h30/10km walk by taking in the second part of the walk around the woods and view points along the edge of the mountain. To do this part follow the yellow and GR7 signs at the view point.

Mauroul, Herault.

Mauroul today for a lovely stroll in the sunshine. Good car park. Short walk on blue markers with quite a few ups and downs. Such a beautiful place in the mountains, with wonderful waterfalls and snowdrops at the moment. pretty village on return. Plenty of picnic benches for stops. Mouflon sighted up on the rocks above today.

Le Sommet du Caroux, Herault.

Le Sommet du Caroux. 3H. 8km. Yellow. Parking a Douch. Take the wide track that zig zigs up hill. The summit is to your left at the top or you can go straight on down to join the GR7. Turn right once you reach the GR7 and continue across the plateau on the boardwalk. The route continues into the pine trees where you reach a wider track. Turn left and shortly you will reach the look out where you can view the Orb valley below and all the way down to the Pyrenees and the Med. Now turn right and head along the path on the Southern edge of the Caroux. After a while you will reach a refuge. Turn right at this building and head first through beech woods and the open plateau before descending once again through beech woods to reach Douch on the GR7.

Vias, near Adge, Herault.

Vias, near Adge, 5km, 1H 30/yellow. This walk was rather wet underfoot having followed a day of rain but it was all on good tracks beside pretty waterways, canals and fields. The walk starting point was from a good car par south of Vias along the Canal du Midi. Walking north along the canal then under the main road and quickly right and back under it again. Unfortunately this track was quite wet but also had been used by fly tippers which spoilt the little track. The route takes a right and then bear right again before crossing a small road. One more right turn on a small path and you return to a wide waterway. There is another route at this point that takes you around the coastal area (5.5km. 2H) but we turned right along the waterway to return to the canal car park. A much larger walk A much larger walk of the area begins at Adge and takes in the two smaller walk. Lots of birds and nice views along the way. https://cms.ffrandonnee.fr/…/f…/fb-le-circuit-des-canaux.pdf