Roc du Roc Traucat and the Tour du Pin, Estaussan.

A walk of stunning beauty, history and geology. Not to maintain the art of farming these beautiful hills. It was a cherry tree day; the sun was warm, the scenery and wildlife was rich and diverse and the views were so incredibly beautiful that you wanted to fly...if only I had wings. The views stretched down to the snowy Pyrenees, the Black mountains, over to the coast, Sete to Montpellier, up to the Caroux, Espinouse and way beyond..... We started our walk in Estaussan high in the Avant Monts. Taking the road from Le Poujoul-sur-orb over the red bridge to the D160 The road twists beautifully up to Plaussenous and La Liniere where you turn left into the tiny hamlet of Estaussan. Parking before the houses. 

The walk leaflet said it was 5.5km, 2H but we made it 11km and 4 hours. Blue/yellow markers. Believe whatever you want but allow plenty of time. It's magnificent beyond belief. Walk towards the houses and turn left to go around them. The track is marked blue at the start, keep right at the first two tracks. After a while and at a wide area in the path you will see a tiny track to your left that runs parallel to the track, take this and you will see yellow markers to the trees. The tiny path have many tantalising views through the trees of the beautiful Caroux, you can't wait for the views to open up. Don't worry they do... Soon you will see the valley below and across to Naudech. You join the blue path at the col. Here you can if you will turn right to see the the ruined church of St Julien and wondrous ark of Roc Traucat (this will take you about an extra 20 minutes to view). If not turn left at the junction of paths and continue on until you come to a marked cycle route on your right (if you would like to see the troglodyte house turn right and go down for a couple of minutes). If not continue on uphill; soon you will see the Tour du Pin, high above on the rocks. At the top on a wide area of the path you will see a red path marked to the right. (if you would like to visit the tower take this path. It's amazing. The views are stunning. Here you can see the whole Languedoc. Yes, I did say the whole Languedoc and I mean it! What you can't see you will have to imagine. Take care it's a steep path up around the tower with a rope to help you get to the very top. Return to the blue track. Now continue on the blue trail, which heads downhill now. The trail turns to the right but you can go straight down if you wish. At the bottom of the trail turn left and right onto the last track into the village. The dog there is very friendly and really didn't want us to go home even though the sign next to her house said otherwise.(it must have been the slice of cake!). Enjoy.