Mons to Compeyre.

A glorious walk today, crossing the whole mountain range from Mons(south) to St Gervais sur Mare(north). 8h 20km. D grade. Starting in Mons I followed the red/yellow markers to the gorge d'heric. Then up the little gorge road to the hamlet of Heric. (It's a nice place for a rest is you fancy and drink or an ice cream). I had my usual flask of coffee and picnic lunch with me so turning left into the hamlet and then right onto the yellow marked Col du Salis path up went up hill to the first abandoned houses for my first coffee break( wonderful views here of the Fourcat d'heric and down to the gorge. The trail continues to the col du Salis. Here you continue on into the Mouflon sanctuary, through lovely beech woods and on to a pretty glade and stream at Le Vialais(a nice place to stop for a picnic). Now turn right up hill to the col de l'Ourtigas, being careful to follow the yellow markers once again. At the col turn right and cross the road to a small parking area and walking path signs. Take the yellow/red path down through the woods to Caissenols le Haut (a small abandoned hamlet) This trail starts off quite steep and is also marked with blue makers and small cairns. In this first hamlet turn left and continue on to the next abandoned hamlet of Caissenols le bas. Eventually the trail leaves the coolness of the woods and comes out in the valley with stunning views of the purple heather above. Passing through the remarkable Portail de Roquandouire ( a col with a rock formation making a doorway).Here keeping to the yellow/red markers head up to the Serre de More. The views here are breath taking in every direction. Over the rocky top and down through the heather; filled with the wonderful sound of tiny buzzing bees. This is a beautiful ridge that leads all the way down to a little wood just outside Compeyre, just south of St Gerais sur Mare. Turning left after the bridge you pass a delightful tiny chapel(Chapelle st Barthelemy). It is such a beautiful walk, you have to keep stopping and having another coffee break, just because you don't want it all to end! I was able to get a lift home but you could leave a car in St Gervais, get a bus or stay overnight and return by one of the other beautiful routes. I saw another 3 more that I want to complete while I was up there.