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Park at the Aires du Vidourle car park, 692 Route des Salinelles. This means you don't have to cross the Vidourle river or go through the centre of Sommières, whether you're coming from Nîmes, Alès or Montpellier. This car park charges a fee during high season. There is another car park nearby that is a little further from the start of the walk, but it is free.
(S/E) Cross the footbridge over the Vidourle and continue straight ahead along Rue Abbé Fabre.
(1) When you reach Place du Jeu de Ballon, take the street opposite which leads up to Sommières Castle (Chemin du Château Fort). Continue to the castle entrance and push on to the panoramic viewpoint at the old mill.
(2) Retrace your steps due to renovation work, then take the stairs on the left that lead down to Rue Taillade.
(3) Turn left and follow this street to the end. At the crossroads, turn left and walk uphill along Boulevard Ernest François, taking care to watch out for traffic. You will reach the bridge over the Voie Verte.
(4) Turn left without crossing it, via Rue des Écureuils: follow the yellow markings towards Château de Villevieille. Cross the car park, then Chemin de Belleau to take the path opposite, which initially runs parallel to it, then joins it further on. Walk along the cemetery, continue left on Chemin des Terriers and reach the Villevieille enclosure.
(5) Enter the village by following Rue de l'Horloge opposite, first turn left then right to take Rue du Château and go around the castle on the left. Take Allée du Parc on the right: yellow markings, signposted Junas.
(6) At the end of the bend, take the path on the left, which passes between houses before joining Chemin de la Truque. Turn left and continue for about 50 metres.
(7) Turn right onto Traverse des Éaudes, take Chemin de la Roquette on the left, then turn right onto Chemin de Soulas.
(8) At the end of the tarmac road, turn right onto Chemin de Biron:note the well-tended olive groves and three beautiful drystone shelters. This leads to Chemin des Prairies.
(9) Turn left onto this path and walk a few dozen metres before turning right to cross the Ruisseau des Corbières stream in the Bois de Clapisse. At the crossroads, turn right and continue to follow the yellow markings towards Junas. Cross the Voie Verte and continue along the winding path used by mountain bikers. You will come out onto Chemin de Quinsargues.
(10) Turn left and follow this path to Route de Junas. Turn right onto it as you enter the town of Junas, then turn right again about 50 metres further on to take the path that climbs up to the right into the small wood: yellow markings. You will reach a car park at the top. Cross it, keeping to the right, and continue right on the path leading to the old Bon Temps de Junas quarries.
(11) Walk through the quarries and climb the steps carved into the stone on the right (with metal balustrade). Follow the yellow markings until you reach the heights of Junas at the small roundabout located at the intersection of Chemin des Ayres and Chemin des Corbières.
(12) Take the Chemin du Moulin à Vent opposite, then leave it on the right at the junction with the Chemin du Pied de Cade.
(13) Continue left, following the yellow markings, and pass two notable landmarks in succession. First, on the right, the old Junas windmill (tower), then, as you leave the undergrowth, the archaeological excavations at a place called Le Moulin de Corbières. When you reach the Voie Verte, turn right.
(14) Go under the bridge, then turn left to follow Chemin de Gallardet towards Sommières. Continue uphill in open country, then through woods. You will reach the Saut du Cheval crossroads.
(15) Continue straight ahead until you reach the bridge over the Voie Verte that you saw on the way there, and cross it.
(4) Turn left and follow the outward route in the opposite direction to return to the footbridge over the Vidourle, then to the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
Association / Club / Walk leader
