Le Saut de Vezoles from the col de Cabaretou

Le Saut de Vezoles from the col de Cabaretou above St Pons. 6km/GR7 (red/white+yellow) 1.30h . This is normally a lovely cool, easy walk that is mostly level, through the woods to the lookout but of course today it was one of the hottest days of the year and it was even 28 up there but that was better than 38c lower down. The walk starts by parking at the picnic area on the col and following the GR to reach a yellow route to the Lac de Vezoles. The walk is mostly along a forest track with views of the valley below from time to time. Turn for the lookout and after a short distance through pretty heather covered slopes you will come to the wonderful view of the waterfalls from the lookout. There is a font along the way by in was mostly empty so take water for your dog if hot. This walk can be extended to include the yellow circuit up to the lake adding another 4km to the walk or a circuit of the lake as well which adds another 9km to the distance. Returning the same way or you can take the forest track opposite the view point.

L'Ermitage Saint-Etienne, St-Nazaire-de-Ladarez

L'Ermitage Saint-Etienne, St-Nazaire-de-Ladarez. (5km, 1.30H, blue). Our walk was slightly different as we took the easier but longer track back down. 8km 2H, but with great views all the way down that you don't see on the little path up. The walk starts by parking in the car park near to the church. This is also the start of the walk. Walk through along the edge of the park and you will be in the middle of the village opposite the little pizzeria. The walk the takes a small path at the end of the hoses to your left. Follow this little rocky path as it crosses between the track several times. The little path reaches some ruins that have a number of vans parked near them, here you descend to a junction and keep right following the blue markers. The route continues up quite steeply now until it reaches the track once again. Turn left to come to a parking area and take a small left turn that goes up to the hermitage. Wonderful views up here and a sweet little chapel. Now descend the same way. If you want to take our route with great views it's only a little longer and much easier on your knees. After the vans at the ruins you will come to the main track, turn right onto this a descend back into the village, there are several opportunities to return to the little path if you decide to but we liked it better for views.

Bosquets et Domaines, Alignan-du-vent, Hérault.

Bosquets et Domaines, Alignan-du-vent. 9.5km or 7.5km. Yellow markers. 2.30 H. This walk starts by parking in the parking area opposite the cave cooperative. Turn right and follow the yellow markers. (don't get confused by the new walk of 13km that also has yellow markers, the markers are handpainted on this walk whereas the new one a stencil has been used. The markers are few and far between so use the map and there are some short sections of road walking, the new walk appears to be free of these so we will do this one another time as it takes in another shorter walk that we have already done there before). Walk down the D125 for a short distance then turn right onto a small track road. Follow this to a right turn. The path takes another right and a left turn through the vines before taking another right to reach the road at a small cross( D39). Turn right onto this road and then left just before a junction. Walk up this track then turn right to reach another road (D33). Turn left and walk up the road to reach a wide track on your right leading to les montarels. Good views up here. Not long before the house you will turn right once again and keep left at the next junction heading towards trees around the domaine of pretty Brescou. Bear right around the far side of the property and head up their long tree shaded drive to reach the road, (D30E2). Now you must decide whether to do the longer or shorter walk. For the shorter walk turn right onto the road and head back to the village. The parking area is on the other side of the village, it's a sweet village with a delightful circular centre and an old church in the middle. For the longer walk cross the road and walk up the track until you reach a junction of tracks this walk then turns left and right to return on another road (D125) but if you follow the new yellow signs from the junction it will return you to the village on a small path without needing to on the D125. It's always winding up here and seems much cooler than other places in the area for walking.

Le Tour du Mouscaillou, Rosis, Hérault, France.

Le Tour du Mouscaillou, Rosis. This is a simply beautiful walk in very peaceful surroundings with magnificent views. The walk is fairly easy and not too long, taking just two to two half hours. 9km. Mostly blue markers. We have done the whole walk before but made a variation on it today to take in some different views. The walk starts by parking in the parking area on the col de madale. Walk about 50m up the road towards Rosis and turn left down a small road to Le Luc. Cross a bridge and pass a track to your right, then look out as you walk about 50m beyond for a tiny grassy track down to a small bridge, the route is marked with small blue dots. Cross the bridge, keeping right ascend the hill to the house and turn right through the beech wood. Now follow this small track through the woods to Rosis. Just below the chateau you will come to a bridge across the stream, cross and take the path to reach the front of the chateau. Pass in front of the chateau and turn right to reach the road. Now cross the road and pass through the hamlet, taking a tiny path at the top that takes you along and stone walled route to the forest. Once you have walked to the end of this track you will reach the col d'Aussieres. (The main route continues down past the green water container and back up the hill via the col de vente vieille but we changed the route this time). Our route leaves the blue markers and makes a magnificent detour up the wide grassy path opposite to the top of the gently curved summit of Massaral and onto the rocky outcrops of the top of Mouscaillou. There are fantastic views up here of the Monts d'Orb, Caroux and over to Saint Gervais below. Now retrace your steps to the col and head left down the wide, zig zagging track to reach the road. Turn left onto the road and the car park is about 100m beyond. Super walk, with no difficulties.

Chemins de Haut Languedoc, Caroux. no 7. Great book.

Le Sentier des deux rives, Cambon et salvergues, hérault

Le Sentier des deux rives, Cambon et salvergues, hérault for two walk yesterday. Blue. The first was a 6.5km one. We wasn't sure if we missed the turn but the blue markers seemed to be going in the opposite direction at one point so we may have been following a different walk in the end as our walk was supposed to be 4.6km. Starting at the little park/camper area in Cambon next to the river, turn left and walk up through the woods to the top of the hill where you meet the road. Still following the blue marker turn right down the little lane to Pont d'Agout, a pretty farming hamlet. Keep right through the hamlet and down to the river, crossing it and keeping left. The route now takes a little track which crosses a stream to your left and then two small bridges over wire fences. Follow the blue markers through the woods to finally reach the col de Rieu Grand. Turn right and then go up the slope. At the next junction turn right. (The blue marker here tell you to turn left but by the map it's right). Keep on this little forest road to reach the road and then turn right. It's a quiet road so continue down it until you come to a wide, grassy track on your left. Go up here and continue until you reach a few new buildings including the tourist office. Now head down to the river and turn right. You may like to follow the yellow route instead so I have included a map for this too.