Circular loop from Lasalle, via Colognac and Soudorgues

Parking at La Moutte, above the temple square and the school. There are other parking spaces available elsewhere in the village.

(S/E) Head towards the temple then join Rue de la Gravière. Follow this road to the right until you reach the Pont de Fer and the corresponding marker.

(1) Cross the bridge and follow the RD153 towards Colognac, which forms part of the GR®63, marked in red and white. Reach the Rimbal signpost.

(2) Turn right and continue on the RD153.

(3) Follow the red and white markings, leaving the road before the bridge to turn left uphill. Turn right about a hundred metres further on: the GR® route shown on the map is incorrect.

(4) Turn right at the marker to walk alongside the house’s garden, then the Ruisseau de Coulègne. The red and white markings have disappeared, although the signpost indicates the GR® along this route. However, the path is very well maintained, even though it does not appear on the IGN map, and the markings reappear just after the bridge. Join a wider path.

(5) Turn left and then immediately take the path that veers slightly to the right above the track, following the markings you’ve found. Follow the path uphill until you reach the RD153.

(6) Cross the RD153 carefully; a small plank spans the ditch and leads to the path running alongside the road. Then walk past the sewage treatment plant and, just after it, take the path branching off to the right to reach the village of Colognac.

(7) When you reach the Colognac signpost, turn right towards the Col de l'Asclier via the GR®6 and 67. At the junction, continue straight on to reach the village centre via the road that climbs.

(8) When you reach the town hall, then the village café, turn right towards the cemetery, continuing to follow the red and white markings. Walk to the signpost.

(9) Take the path on the left that goes downhill, passing a lodge and reaching the sign for the GR®6 and 67 via the path on the left that goes downhill. Pass a lodge and follow the lower path, which runs alongside the garden and passes beneath a grassy area. You’ll come out onto a forest track.

(10) Turn right and then immediately left to take the path that climbs, signposted GR®6 and 67. You will reach the Col des Fosses: signpost present.

(11) Turn right towards the Col de l'Asclier. Pass close to a farm, with superb views, and climb up to Camp Barrat, with superb views and rocks reminiscent of those in the Monts de Lozère, albeit smaller.

(12) Then head towards the Col d'Asclier on the left when facing the marker: red and white markings are still clearly visible. Join the forest track leading to La Loubatière: you can see this large old farmhouse with a swimming pool down in the distance. Arrive at the La Truque de Blaquisses marker.

(13) Turn left towards the Col de l'Asclier, and head for the Col de Lougarès and the corresponding signpost.

(14) Continue straight on towards the Col de l'Asclier, following the GR®6 and 67 markings. A fork in the path appears a little further on; keep left, staying on the track, and continue for about 250 m.

(15) Leave the track and take the path climbing up to the right, marked in white and red. During the climb, you can see the Col du Fageas with its antennas. Head towards it.

(16) I strongly recommend taking the short circular path that climbs above the large antenna via the path with the gate,as at the summit you have a truly superb 270° view of the surrounding area. Then, once back at the Col du Fageas marker, follow the path down to the left towards the Col de l’Asclier, which can be seen far below, marked by a large grey building. The descent is steep and full of large stones, which puts a lot of strain on your legs and requires your full attention. You must therefore take care.

(17) Once behind the building, head towards the Pont Moutonnier signpost on the bridge overlooking the road. Continue to the road that passes through a tunnel. After the tunnel, turn right onto the Route Forestière du Liron, which now forms part of the GR®61. Reach the La Câle signpost.

(18) Turn left at the fork to follow the lower track towards Soudorgues and reach the Col de Piécamp.

(19) Turn left and take the path, which is still marked in red and white. Join the forest track at the Col de la Mortière.

(20) Cross this to rejoin the GR®61 on the opposite side. Arrive at the Col de la Cabane Vieille (signpost).

(21) Turn right towards Soudorgues, leaving the GR®61 and rejoining the GR®63 from the start. Join a track.

(22) Turn left onto the tarmac road and follow the clearly marked red and white signposts.

(23) Once back on the tarmac, continue towards Soudorgues. Pass the cemetery and join the D271 at the Les Quatre Chemins signpost.

(24) Cross the road and continue straight ahead downhill. Turn right before a house to go round it and rejoin the road below. Follow this road to the left for about 150 m.

(25) Turn right downhill towards Lasalle. Cross the bridge over the waterfalls and rejoin the RD271.

(26) Head to the right and follow the road carefully until you reach the Pont de Fer.

(1) Continue straight ahead, turn left at the three-way junction to pass the temple again and reach the car park (S/E).

It is a demanding route with a significant elevation gain, although it is gradual and presents no particular difficulties. The steep descents are more challenging, with numerous stones requiring constant attention, particularly after the Col du Fageas on the way to the Col de l’Asclier, though this section can be avoided. Another demanding descent follows after the Col de la Mortière. Consequently, it is important to wear good walking shoes and to take plenty of water. You pass through Colognac and Soudorgues, which are almost 20 km apart, so there are no opportunities to refill water bottles between the two.

(16) Alternative route: you can follow the track that branches off to the right of the signpost towards the Liron forest track at the La Cale signpost (18). This allows you to avoid the steep descent and shorten the circular route by about 1.5 km.