Les etangs de la Malhaute, Thezan-les-Beziers. A walk along the river Orb in the Languedoc .

Les etangs de la Malhaute, Thezan-les-Beziers. (Blue walk is 4km very easy 1H15)Our walk 6km using part of the blue walk and continuing along the river to join the walk at its turn around point. 2H.  

A lovely gentle walk starting at Canteranes, in the little parking area.Lots of butterflies, birds sound like a tropical forest there and lovely wild flowers. On the walk you pass an old cross, the domaine of Aspiran de Ravanes, of visigoth origin and very old chapel. Lovely views up to the Caroux, Avant Monts and the villages on the hills around. 

The blue walk goes in the opposite direction but this is what we did. At the walk sign turn around and walk down into the trees towards the little marshy lakes, they were made from old gavel quarries and are frequented by lots of happy fishermen. 

The birdsong is wonderful here and it's cool under the trees. The little path winds through the ponds, to the river. Turn left at the river away from the walk (4 on the map) and follow the river around until you come to a barrage. 

At the barrage turn right onto a small track that then turns left onto a little road and bares left onto another small track a little further. Turn right onto a track beside vineyards and this turn reaches a junction were you take the little road in the middle. 

Walk up here until you reach the second right turn onto a small track leading to the domaine of Aspiran. Continue past the houses and bare left at the second house. The chapel is in the trees here.Turn right onto the track, there is an old cross here. 

Walk about 2km down the track which turns into a little road after a while. It's all wheat fields and vineyards here, horses too. Then right to the cars.