Les Orgues de Taussac- L'Horte.

Les Orgues de Taussac- L'Horte. 3H.30/ 8.5km. Yellow markers. This is a super walk with great views. It takes in 3 small hamlets, woods, rock views from the Orgues, vineyards and the lovely oratoire. The walk starts at the mairie in L'Horte, just north of Lamalou-les-bains. Next to mairie you will see a signpost for the walk and your first yellow marker taking you under the small arched tunnel to cross the road behind. Here you pick up a wide track beside the white cross. This track winds up past chestnut trees to a lovely oratoire which makes a wonderful spot for a first stop and a coffee. Here you can look over the vineyards and enjoy the before valley views and up to the forests of the north of the Caroux. The oratoire has a lovely history about a very special lady who worked hard to save many lives during the conflicts of WW2. It's a very special spot of peace and serenity and a great place to get out of the rain, wind or sun, whichever season you chosen to make you walk. Continue up the hill from here on the wide track until you reach a smaller path on your right up through the little oaks. This path soon reaches a wider track, where you turn right and quickly reach the road at the col. Cross the road and take the track to the right, still following the yellow markers. Continue on this path through the trees and rocks to reach a small cross. At this point there are two possible routes. The first and longest is to continue to the left down to Taussac, passing the lovely church and continuing through the pretty village to the road. Turn right and right again to follow a little road up to a small path leading through the trees. The path turns right again up some small steps to climb steeply, reaching a rocky terrace. Turn right up these rocks and enjoy the spectator views in all directions. It's magical up here, jumping from rock to rock like a mouflon snapping pictures and exclaiming its loveliness. Now the time comes when you have to leave and return to the world below us. Keep left down this little path enjoying yet more wonderful views. Soon the track widens and comes out on a small tarmac road, turn left here and right at the vineyard, keeping to the track around its edge. At this point you will return to the cross once again so if you want a shorter walk and this will take about an hours loop off your walk and save you quite a bit of climbing, make this your return point. Go down the small path, it's quite rocky here. It will soon cross a small road and continue down a rocky path to reach the road. At the road cross over to your right and down the tiny path to reach the little hamlet of La Bourbouille. Turn right and head up a concrete track past the houses and under the rocky curve. The track keeps left and then takes a left down a small stoney path back to L'Horte.

Les ruffes- Brenas

Les ruffes- Brenas. 2.30H 7km. Easy. Blue markers.This is a lovely country ramble with a mix of the red volcanic rock of the Salagou valley, fields grazed by sheep, cattle and horses while others are already planted with winter wheat.

You won't see and vines here, but you will see castles perched on rocky outcrops , beautiful views, oak wood slopes, little streams and ruined stone buildings and quite a number of beautiful old crosses.

Start by taking the little D157 to Brenas.

It's tucked away at the top of a most beautiful wild valley that leads down to Lac du Salagou and is steeped in history and natural beauty.

Turn off the road and go through the hamlet of Bernas.

It's only tiny so don't blink but at the other end of the little street with its pretty stone houses and collie dogs that always seem to be wandering about you will come to a small car park next to the church.

The people of Brenas seem to welcome their visitors with not just one walk but two and plenty of cycle routes from here too.

Don't muddle the two different walks. The map refers to the lovely wooded walk that goes up the hill behind to the north of the hamlet whereas the signposted walk "Les ruffes" is the one that you will follow on this walk.

If you like you can combine the two walks to double the distance and walk in two totally different valleys.

After parking walk back towards the hamlet but take the first little turn that goes down a small alley between two houses.

Turn left and and then right onto a the D157. Almost straight away you will see a small grassy path on the left go down this path and pass the first cross.

The path reaches a farm and turns right. The little lane very soon becomes a rough track which winds its way downhill past another farm and after quite some while reaches the valley bottom road.

Turn right and walk for about 200m until at a bend by a bridge you take the track to your right. Keep on this track which follows the little stream all the way up to a stone building where it turns off to the right.

There is a place where you need to cross the stream and then regain the track once more.  There are  also a few places where you have to cross electric fences here.

They are all good and have hand protectors where you need to remove them to pass through. Be careful to replace them as this is farmland and there a number of different animals about.

Keep to the right of the stone hut and make your way careful uphill through the little red hills.

There are blue markers here but no too many and it's not always easy to see where the little path goes. The path crosses the little stream and reaches a ridge with more lovely views of the valley below and the castles too.

The track goes to the left here and up to the tiny hamlet of Campillergues which appears to have been lost in time.

The track double back around the hamlet and continues as a small road until you reach a tiny path with a blue marked step on a bend.

Follow this little rather overgrown  path to reach the road, D157. Turn right here and walk past some lovely oak woods and a couple of crosses before returning to the hamlet of Brenas.