Le Castrum, Roquessels

Le Castrum, Roquessels. 7.5km 2h30. Blue. (The full walk is 11km/3h3, but we did the variante walk, if you decide to do the full walk park just outside the village where you will find the starting point signpost, then turn left up the road and off to the right on the first right turn track). Our walk starts in the village itself, parking near to the bus shelter. Turn right and head towards the little church. Just past the church are steps leading up to the Chateau, take these, they are very steep but you can go around on the little road if you prefer. The views from the castle are wonderful, down to the coast and over to the Pyrenees. Here you will find the pretty chapel, which is open and a lovely place to go and sit for a while. Outside are a few picnic tables under the trees where you can enjoy the views before starting your walk. Once you have visited the castle/chapel take the little path that runs west along the top of the hill in the trees to reach a small road. Turn right onto this and head north west through the vineyards. Soon you will come to a joining track where the full walk joins the variant. Keep going until you reach a junction, keep right and you will reach some small buildings near another junction. Take the middle route that winds down to a zigzag in the track. This is a small stony track vines along side it. After descending a little it then winds up through green oaks to reach a vineyard on a junction. Keep right here, past the stone wall and vines. It's a long stretch now down to the village in wild garrigue but its a good road. You will pass the capitelle Serre Longue and what looks like a charcoal burners. The road curves under the village and then over a pretty stream to reach a wine cave building. Take the zigzag in the road but don't turn left (turn left if you are doing the full walk to return to your car). Keep going up the hill past the houses and you will soon be back in the little village once again.