The Estagnol circular route and the two caves: Olivier and Cellier

Park in the car park near the Belbezet dam.

(S/E) Follow the D4 towards Saint-Guilhem for a few metres, taking great care (bend). Then take the track on the right for about a hundred metres.

(1) Leave the track and follow a path on the left which climbs steadily, becoming a little steeper in the final few metres, to reach the ruined farmhouse of L’Estagnol.

(2) Take the path on the left in front of the farmhouse, leaving the one leading to Roc Trinquat on your right. The path descends rapidly into the Combe Malafosse, crosses it and climbs gently up the right bank to reach a junction.

(3) Continue climbing to the right towards the ruins of the Mas de l’Arboussier. Walk past the farmhouse and continue the climb.

(4) At the next crossroads, keep to the right to continue climbing northwards, along the slope of the Combe de la Blande, following the first ‘ear’ of the valley to the Baume Cellier.

(5) When you reach the Baume Cellier, situated below and to the right of the path, turn back towards the previous junction.

(4) Then take the path that runs flat out to the right, towards the Baume de l’Olivier. On this second “ear”, the path passes through several valleys, including the Combe du Sergent, in a damp forest.

(6) At the Baume de l’Olivier, a south-facing clearing offers a pleasant spot for lunch. You can then turn back or carry on a little further to the Aven des Trois Trous, another possible spot for lunch. The karstic cave of the Three Trous opens out onto a small hillock to the left of the path. Don’t miss it, or you risk going too far towards Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. This is the tip of the ‘ear’ and the point at which you turn back along the same path.

(7) Return to the junction with the Combe de la Blande at the crossroads you passed on the way out.

(4) Continue to the right, in the opposite direction to the outward journey, passing the ruins of the Mas de l’Arboussier and returning to a junction you passed on the way out.

(3) Take the path on the right, which winds steeply down to the bottom of the Combe Malafosse, then follows the valley downstream towards the south-west. Pass the Combe de Légeaux and join a track.

(8) Follow this track, which continues to run alongside the Combe Malafosse as far as the D4.

(9) Turn left and walk carefully alongside the departmental road to return to the starting car park (S/E).

There are a few sections with a slight drop-off on the way to the Baume de l’Olivier.
Do not get too close to the karstic caves to avoid accidents.
Bring a head torch to visit the Baume Cellier.
Take care when walking alongside the RD4.