(S/E) From the car park by the bridge, follow the D12E6 for 500 metres towards the hamlet of Cantignergues until you reach a hairpin bend.
Blue trail markings.
(1) At the bend, follow the signposted track westwards, cross the concrete culvert over a small stream via a detour, and head south-west up to a crossroads.
(2) Continue north-west along the main track, which runs along a ledge, cross a stream, continue climbing whilst keeping an eye on the Moulin d’Alger on the opposite bank, and finally descend north-west towards the Cesse. Follow the river on the left bank, heading upstream (north). You will arrive near a submersible crossing on a DFCI track.
No signposting.
(3) Leave the signposted path that branches off to the right and cross the Cesse over the concrete crossing (take care if the water level is high). Head up the track, which bends sharply, to the Route de Ferrals (D12). Cross it and, almost directly opposite, take a vineyard track to rejoin the Route de la Livinière (D182E6). Turn right and, at the junction, turn left onto the D12E3. Head towards the village of Cassagnoles.
Blue line markings.
(4) At the village entrance sign, follow the markings again, which direct you to cross the village and then head up towards La Caune.
(5) In the hamlet, continue to follow the markings as you head down to the right. Turn left up the concrete track, then onto the dirt track. Ignore a signpost on a path to the left and proceed to a bend-junction. Stay on the track which climbs northwards, winding past some aerials. Reach Le Devès. Pass a junction on the right at a bend, then another, and after walking 1,400 metres, reach a three-way junction.
No signposting.
(6) Look out for the unmarked DFCI AVM4 track on the right, which descends (north-east) into the Minervois State Forest, making a detour towards the Bailliaure stream. Pass under an EDF power line before a final bend, then past a water tank (No. 464) and the Rescue Centre before reaching the road.
(7) Turn left, noting as you go the direction you will take on the return journey. Head up towards the top of the village of Ferrals-les-Montages and turn left onto the Route de la Pode. Cross the bridge over the Cesse.
(8) After the bridge, leave the road to the right and take a path below, wedged between the river and an old irrigation channel. Pass an iron gate (garden) on your right and continue along a track to the developed area at the source of the Cesse (Wikipedia places the source of the Cesse further north).
(9) Return along the same path to the road.
(8) Opposite (to the south), take the small tarmac road (closed to vehicles over 5 tonnes) which leads to the parish church of Saint-Pierre-Saint-Paul.
(10) Turn left (east) and cross behind the church across the gently sloping meadow to rejoin the road. Follow the road (D 12) to the right (south) for 120 metres.
Blue line markings.
(11) Turn left onto the path leading down to the waterfalls, following the markings once again. At the river, walk past the remains of an old mill (millstone) and take in the view of several waterfalls before reaching a metal footbridge that allows you to cross the river. Head up to the right, following this path which crosses another stream. A bit of effort is required to get over a pile of rocks. Further on, the path becomes a track.
(12) At the junction with a track, head down this track to the right towards the bottom of the Saint-Hilaire valley. After a bend, follow the track along the stream and then cross the stream via a culvert, which may be submerged during heavy rain,
(13) You’ll come out onto the DFCI AVM6 track, which you’ll have noticed on the way there, and follow it to the Cesse ford.
(3) Ignore the ford and turn left to retrace your steps along the river. Go through the gates, making sure to close them behind you. The path then widens and climbs above the valley.
(2) Return to Cantignergues.
No signposting.
(1) Take the road again to return to the car park after the bridge over the Cesse (S/E).