Around Gabian

(S/E) From the car park next to the Gabian hunting lodge, the walk begins alongside the boules court and the fitness trail, running past the communal and private gardens.

(1) Cross the first bridge over the River Thongue, then head up through the housing estate on the left after the garages. You will then reach the second bridge where the old railway line used to be.

(2) Follow the olive groves whilst enjoying a magnificent view of the great bridge at Gabian, revealing the last trace of the train line from that era.

(3) When you reach the high-voltage power line and the relay mast, turn left onto a path leading to hidden patches of abandoned vineyards, then rejoin the road below, passing an old stone house that is still standing, albeit only half-intact, and turn left.

(4) At the next crossroads, turn left to begin the route through the heath and follow the natural path to the stream.

(5) Follow the stream, then continue to follow the natural path through the heath as you climb up to the first peak, passing a cascade of loose stones, old stone walls and a small oak forest.

(6) You will then arrive at the foot of the high-voltage power line and descend to a road. Follow it to the right, cross a stream, then turn left and arrive at a crossroads.

(7) Take the path opposite and continue until you see small waterfalls below.

(8) Follow a long, quiet path to the hunters’ refuge.

(9) Then take the path on the right which runs alongside it; at the end of this, a long straight stretch awaits you, leading up and down the terrain until you reach a short section on the road.

(10) Begin a steep climb to your left, near a house standing almost alone in the middle of this peaceful heath. At the top of this first challenging climb, you can admire the Roc de Cayla, at the foot of which lies an old quarry, in the commune of Roquessels.

(11) Follow the path until you reach an old, abandoned sheepfold in ruins.

(12) Head back down to the stream and retrace your steps from the outward journey to the right for 200 m before tackling your final climb on your left, a tough and steep ascent to the Sommet des Fouletières with a 360° panoramic view.

(13) Then head back down and follow the natural path of Les Fouletières. Walk past part of the hunters’ refuge again to reach a fourth stone ruin. You’ll come to a crossroads you passed on the way up.

(7) Retrace your steps from the outward journey to the left until you reach the road, then follow the road straight ahead as it climbs. At the bend, leave the path you came up and turn right this time to descend through the wild heath to the bed of the Rivière de la Thongue.

(14) Cross it and, once at the bottom, a short stretch of road with a history of its own awaits you, before you finish crossing the wild heath on your left along the river, to the bridge overhead and the vineyards on your right. Then head out to rejoin the road. Pass through the tunnel of the old railway line for a mysterious finale, then return to the starting point at the car park on your right (S/E).

Free parking, water point at the boules court.

Avoid hiking after heavy rain; from point (8) to point (10), there are many puddles along the entire path, which sometimes cover the entire route, and point (14) may be impassable if the river has burst its banks.
The section between point (14) and the tunnel is rarely used, but despite the wildlife, it remains passable.