Circular between Claret and Corconne via the Taillade ridges

Park in the cemetery car park.

(S/E) Opposite the car park, turn right and join Avenue de Montpellier.

(1) Turn left towards the village centre, pass Place de l'Hermet, where the town hall and post office are located, and continue alongAvenue des Embruscalles.

(2) At the park, turn right onto Rue de l'Aire, pass the church on your right, then turn right onto Rue du Cagarel.

(3) Leave Chemin des Capellières on your left and continue straight ahead on Rue des Airs. At the end of the street, continue along a path, cross the Ruisseau de la Pignade stream and join a wide track.

(4) Continue on the right.

(5) Turn left at the three-way junction and continue for about 200 metres. Then turn right onto a path.

(6) Further on, go through a gate, cross the track and continue straight ahead. Go through another gate and arrive in Corconne at Place du Rousquilllou.

(7) Take Rue de l'Église on the left, pass the church on your left and cross the small square. Continue to a three-way junction.

(8) Take the street on the left, which leads to Rue Fabre, and follow it to the left, passing the car parks and children's playground.

(9) At the end of the street, take Chemin de Barbe d'Or on the left, turn right onto Chemin des Charbonniers and continue straight ahead to Pont du Hasard. Cross the bridge: although the area has been equipped, the crossing is tricky in wet weather and caution is advised. You will arrive at a large cairn.

(10) Take the path on the left towards the Notre-Dame du Château chapel.

(11) Continue straight ahead to reach the building: beautiful view of the village of Corconne.

(12) Return to the fork.

(11) Turn left, rejoin the path you left after the Pont du Hasard bridge and continue to the left. When you reach a crossroads, turn left to arrive at the Col des Trois Chênes pass.

(13) Continue straight ahead (west) following the yellow PR® markings. Continue climbing, pass a vineyard and walk along the balcony path. At the Caladas fork, descend to the left for about 80 metres.

(14) Climb to the right, climbing two hills on the Crête de Tout Auras ridge: view to the right over Montagne Saint-Jean and the Aigoual massif, to the left over Claret and Pic Saint-Loup. Continue along the Taillade ridge (on the right, a drystone shelter and shepherd's tower), among holm oaks and white oaks, to reach the crossroads with a wide track.

(15) Continue straight ahead along the ridge. Walk for about 350 m, then take a path on the left. Note an underground cistern before reaching a fork in the path.

(16) Turn left, leaving the yellow markings behind. You will reach another intersection.

(17) Head left onto a narrow path that descends steeply into a chimney after about 100 metres. After descending this chimney, take a path on the right and follow a wall that shelters a climbing site.

(18) Turn left onto a path that descends and continues along the hillside.

(19) Cut across a path and continue straight ahead until you reach a very wide track.

(20) Follow this track, turning right, and continue straight ahead until you reach a barrier, which you should cross.

(21) Keep right at the three-way junction, make a sharp right turn and leave the entrance to Château de Ranq on your right.

(22) At the corner of a vineyard, turn left onto Chemin des Capellières, rejoin the tarmac road and arrive at the crossroads you passed on the way there.

(3) Take the street on the right and retrace your steps in the opposite direction to return to the cemetery car park (S/E).

Be careful at two tricky sections:

• Between (9) and (10), the Pont du Hasard crossing. The crossing has been equipped with steps, handholds and handrails. Avoid in wet weather.
• Between (17) and (18), there is a tricky descent down a chimney where you will need to use your hands.

As a general rule, it is best to avoid hiking in wet weather because of the slippery rocks.

(12) From the Notre-Dame du Château chapel, there is a beautiful view of the Corconne plain and, in the distance, the sea.