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.