St-Etienne-d'Albagnan, Herault.

St-Etienne-d'Albagnan. Not a long walk, about 7km. takes a couple of hours at a relaxed pace with a picnic. Beautiful views of the Espinouse and lots of lovely wild flowers including a whole meadow of early purple and butterfly orchids. The day started with a cool breeze coming from the north but it soon turned out into one of those wonderful cherry tree day's of wall to wall sunshine but the perfect temperature for walking. Park in the village centre behind the church, there is a good sized car park there. Normally you would be able to cross straight over the river Jaur on a little footbridge but the main street is undergoing major works and the little alleyway was blocked off with diggers so we went down to the lovely old stone bridge and took the lower road up to La Vacarie. The views are beautiful in both directions down the valley. No marking for this route but it's easy to find and follow. If you have come over the footbridge, turn left onto a small track to cross another small bridge, if you have come through La Vacarie, the turning will be left past a small gite and then right over the little bridge. Now you are on a good track leading up into the hills. The views are wonderful as you climb. We saw dear here. The track reaches La Bezelle and bears right around the hillside before bearing left once more. There are no turn off anyway so you can't get lost. Now you are heading up a lovely valley, sometimes in chestnuts and sometimes kennel oaks. This is a long distance footpath (finally going to ND de tredos) with views similar to that of the Malvies route (only nice and short).As you get to a slight bend where bee hives are placed a little way ahead, you will see a tiny path on your right marked by a stone arrow and a large log. This little path takes you down through pretty chestnut woods. When you reach the little stone wall turn left. Then path is more gentle here and soon doubles back as it takes you through kennel oaks to a tiny stream. Cross the stream and soon you will reach a small tarmac road. No traffic on this road just a hunting lodge. Finally you will reach the hamlet of La Vacarie again. Look out for the orchids in the meadow as you approach the houses. Then it's back to St-Etienne-d'Albagnan, either by the footbridge or the stone bridge.