Le Pin circular via Estaussan and Vieussan

In Saint-Chinian, take the D20 towards Cessenon-sur-Orb, then Roquebrun and Vieussan. 2 km before Vieussan, take the D160 which leads to the hamlet of Le Pin. Drive through the hamlet and park in a small car park on the left at the exit (six to seven spaces available).

(S/E) From the small car park, walk back along the main street and take the very steep street or the large staircase on the right. The narrow streets climb quite steeply between beautiful stone houses, whose architecture is quite remarkable with vaulted ceilings and pretty little gardens or terraces. Head north, pass between the water tower and the cemetery, then take the path that leads to a stone track.

(1) Turn right to follow this track, which climbs steadily for 1.3 km.

(2) Leave the gravel track and take a path that climbs to the left. The slope becomes steeper and, after a few bends, levels out (altitude 483).

(3) Continue diagonally to the right, along the hillside, until you reach a "flat" area.

(4) Turn left and climb up to a gravel track. (Follow the Visorando trail carefully to avoid taking side tracks and paths that would divert you from the correct route).

(5) Turn onto the track on the right and follow it for about 350 metres.

(6) Take the grassy track that climbs to the left, then ignore the one that branches off to the right 100 m further on. The last few metres are a little overgrown with brambles at ground level. You will come to a tarmac road.

(7) Turn left, walk along the left side of the hamlet of Estaussan and, at the exit, take the track on the right. Then ignore the next track on the left to reach an intersection with a footpath.

(8) Turn left onto the path that passes through the undergrowth, following the bed of a dry stream. About 450 metres further on, leave the path that crosses the stream, turning right to continue along the left bank of the Pountil/Estaussan stream, through the undergrowth.

(9) Leave the most marked path and turn right onto a vague trail on the hillside that quickly leads to a wider, better-marked path. Descend to the left on this new path, which soon becomes quite steep, to reach the stream you left a few minutes earlier.

(10) Follow the stream downstream in its wide bed or on parallel paths until you cross it and leave it behind for good, then climb up the opposite slope. The path on the mountainside overlooks the Orb river upstream from Vieussan. Continue towards the village, passing to the right of the tower to reach the first narrow streets.

(11) Take Rue du Castellas, which winds its way through pretty stone houses whose architecture has been preserved during renovations. This village has a certain charm. Continue along Chemin de Saint-Julio, ignoring the two paths that branch off to the left. The path runs along the side of the Orb valley, passing through passages in the rocks where numerous steps allow you to progress. Pass by the ruined hamlet of Mirabel (elevation 181), then follow a few tight bends on a path heading south which, after a large curve to the left, brings you back to a stony track.

(12) Turn left onto the track, ignore the next track on the right to reach the route you took at the start of the hike.

(1) Take the path on the right in the opposite direction, which will take you into the hamlet between the water tower and the cemetery. Descend through the narrow streets to return to the car park (S/E).

At (9), the path descends quite steeply. If it is raining or has rained before you set off, the descent can be difficult. From (10), most of the route follows the stream bed. While this is not a problem in dry weather, when there is water or after a period of rain, the ground becomes very slippery, making it difficult to stay on your feet as it turns into a veritable ice rink. It is best to avoid the winter months. Having done this on the way up when water was flowing in the stream, it was very difficult to stay on your feet.