Tarassac.

Above Tarassac. A lovely last walk, exploring the opposite side of the valley to Mons. Through Tarassac and up to the col des Parties. Here I continued on the small track straight up the hill rather than turning left to the river or right up the wide zigzags. This is a very pleasant track through lovely chestnuts and wonderful views of the Caroux. You can keep going on this track once you reach the top or like me take the track to your right which joins back up with the wide zigzag one. I came back down here but there are many possibilities if you wish to explore the tops. The views on the way down are towards Vieussan and the Jaur valley to the west. Once you return to the co des Parties cross to the track opposite but almost immediately you will see a tiny path on the left. Take this to reach the edge of the escapement above the River Orb, there are some amazing views towards the Caroux here. Now return to the track back down to Tarassac, it's a pretty little village. The yellow/blue bridge has some wonderful views too over the river to the old mill. Once over take the little track opposite the fire station to Verdier Bas, through the hamlet and up the little path beside the River Heric to the gorge car park. If you have come from Mons as I had done it's through Verdier Haut now and on through the pretty chestnut woods to the village.

Mons to La Pomarede.

Mons to La Pomarede via La Coste and St-Martin-de-L'Arcon and returning on the Voie vert and le Verdier. The route uses many of the old walled paths, passes through vineyards, chestnut woods and tiny medieval hamlets, crossing the Gorge d'Heric. Views are of the Orb valley, Avant Monts and the Caroux. 2H, 6 miles/ 10km. The walk begins in Mons with it lovely old buildings dating back to the 1600's, Taking either the red/yellow trail from the base of the village or the blue trail higher up the little paths converge in the chestnut woods anyway. The path comes out on the road leading to the Gorge d'Heric and after entering the gorge a short distance further you will come to a small bridge. Follow the yellow path over the rocks to your right and this leads to the little hamlet of La Coste. Once through the hamlet you continue on to St-Martin-de-L'Arcon on yellow markers. The track passes through vineyards and then chestnut woods. It is possible to either visit the hamlet by following the blue trail or continue on the yellow until you reach the lovely church. Continue on the track past the church on the blue trail until you reach La Pomarede. Turn right and descend past the outdoor centre, crossing the road to visit the donkeys and baby goats. There were rabbits and chickens running about today too. Still following blue markers you can choose now to either go left down to the river, then through the old fields on the blue trail or up onto the Voie vert taking a right to reach the cycle track before turning left onto it. The blue trail comes back out onto it once past the first tunnel. Cross the large bridge, then through the tunnel and another bridge before descending to the right immediately after this bridge, following the blue marker. This is the lower part of the gorge car park. Take a small path beside the river that takes you up past badge sets to the top of the car park. Still follow blue markers turn left into le Verdier haut. Turn right on the blue marker to cross the road and ascend through the trees on the part that you started on. It comes out in Mons where there is plenty of parking near the church. Do look out for the old bread oven, which is still used for bread festivals by the local people.

Le-Poujol-sur-Orb.

A lovely short walk from Le-Poujol-sur-Orb. 4km. Took us about 2H as we had a 2 year old with us but I would think it was normally take no more than 1H to 1H 30.

Park at the voie verte parking at Poujol. Go to the end of the parking area and go up the steps to the road above, walk towards the village.

Find the yellow and red/white markers and take the little lane that goes uphill towards the vineyards. Go past the the shrine and the stone wall. Lovely views of the Caroux.  Soon you will see a yellow cross on the take to your right take this track. It's the sportif trial.

There are several wooden pieces of sports equipment and a few benches along the way. When you reach a junction turn right to go down hill to the voie verte. Turn right onto the voie verte and head to the cars.