Lower balcony from Mons to La Pomarede and return

Lower balcony from Mons to La Pomarede and return. 9.5km. 2H.30. This is a super walk that kisses the edge of the Caroux, giving you a glimpse of times not so long ago, when the fields were terraced with vines and chestnuts, donkeys were the main transport and villages were the homes of many agricultural workers.

I begin the walk in Mons because that's where I live but you can see by the map that there are any number of different places to start form. The walk is made up by joining the blue walk in Mons with the blue walk in St Martin de l'Arcon. This is achieved by using the Voie verte and the yellow route that joins St Martin to the Gorge d'Heric.

Start by following the red/yellow path in Mons down through the chestnut woods towards the gorge. Once you arrive at the road cross it and take the little passage marked blue that goes through Le Verdier Haut.

Turn left to reach the gorge car park and continue following the blue path down through it. It follows the river and arrives at the base of the voie verte in Le Verdier Bas. Don't go under the bridge, if you look to the righthand side of it there is a way up onto the greenway.

Once on the greenway turn left over the bridge, pass through the first tunnel, over the bridge, through the second tunnel and after about 100m further you will see a small tunnel marked by stones in wire casing. Just before these stones turn left at a blue marker and take the little path that goes under the voie verte. (You can continue on this route and leave the Voie verte when you see the signs for La Pomarede).

Now you are in the little fields that edge the Orb. Keep left at the first junction, right at the second and left again at the third. You will pass beside the river and then turn left beside a small field, sometimes containing donkeys. Now turn left again and up a tiny walled path to meet the steps coming down from the voie verte.

Turn right and pass the railings and then left under the bridge. You will now see the donkeys and goats before crossing the road to walk past the activity centre. Go up past the building for the adventure centre on a tiny path until you reach the hamlet of La Pomarede. Turn left and right and the next junction. There is a route barrie sign here but it does not mean people or cycles, just that the track has been damaged in the winter and not passable by automobiles.

Continue on through lovely chestnut woods and you will soon come out onto more lovely views. Soon you reach St Martin where you can visit if you wish and join the route later (stay on the blue route to do this). Or follow the yellow markers by turning right and then left down the concrete track. Pass through more chestnut woods, vines and turn right when you reach a slope. Soon you will reach La Coste.

Turn right and go through the hamlet, finally turning right at the end. Now you pass under a white house and turn left down a small passageway to the stream below. After going up to the top of the track you will need to quickly turn right, cross the track and turn left onto a small path that continues through the woods to reach the gorge d Heric. Here you need to cross the footbridge and turn left towards the car park. Passing this and turning right at the railings to reach Mons via the chestnut woods. All very pretty, quaint and rather lovely.