Chaos de Roquesaltes

Once in La Roque-Sainte-Marguerite, park in the shaded car park below the D41, on the left or right depending on your direction of arrival. This offers a beautiful view of the Dourbie and the bridge that spans it.

(S/E) Return to the D41 and follow it to the right, using the pavement. Pass the old café, which is now closed, and cross carefully to enter a narrow street at the road signs for Peyreleau and Le Rozier.

Yellow signposting

(1) Go down a short paved ramp on the left leading to the street below and continue to the right. The street quickly gives way to a wide, double-track stony path, then to a narrow trail that winds its way through tall grass. Go back up through the woods along the Ravin du Riou Sec and rejoin the road you left earlier at a signpost. Turn left and continue to the stone bridge.

(2) A few metres before the bridge, take the narrow path that starts on the right. The steep climb, which starts with a series of tight hairpin bends, leads to a fork.

(3) Follow the signpost to the right. Continue straight ahead at the next fork about a hundred metres further on and tackle a second very steep climb leading to another fork in the path.

(4) Keep left, leaving the path on the right, which is not shown on the IGN map. After a final steep climb over rocky slabs, you will reach a magnificent natural arch. Go through it and you will come to a junction marked by an information panel about the arch and a signpost. Continue straight ahead towards the beautiful dolomite formations of the Roquesaltes chaos and you will reach another information panel.

(5) Turn left, pass between two magnificent rock faces, go through a short tunnel-like passage carved out by erosion (new sign) and leave the site, heading for the magnificent Causse farmhouse straight ahead. You will come out onto a path bordered by a beautiful dry stone wall.

GR®62 white and red markings + yellow markings

Continue to the left, pass a beautiful shaded picnic area with tables and benches, then head right to go around the building. Pass a rusty metal gate with double markings and arrive at the intersection with a carriageway.

Yellow markings

(6) Leave the GR® and turn right to follow this track to a large area used as a car park: picnic tables are available.

(7) Turn right. Further on, leave the access to a house by turning left to go around it and quickly come out onto a track.

(8) Head left and follow it until you reach the paved road leading to La Combe.

(9) Turn right, cross the hamlet and reach a meadow where a few agricultural machines, some in poor condition, are stored. Follow it on the left and reach a tricky fork that you must not miss, where a very old wooden sign bears the almost illegible words "Saint-André - Montméjean".

(10) Turn right onto a narrow path overgrown with tall grass and lined with box hedges. The trail becomes clearer further on before reaching the intersection with a better-defined path.

(11) Keep right, negotiate a left turn and continue for about 50 metres. Look carefully for the yellow arrow on the ground, which indicates that you should take a rutted path on the right that joins a clearer trail, also on the right. You will come to a fork marked by a signpost indicating "Font Doulce" straight ahead.

(12) Ignore this sign and take a sharp left turn towards the ruined castle and the hamlet of Montméjean. As you approach the rock face on which the castle stands, a "detour" sign indicates that you must turn right to join a flat path coming from the hamlet below.

GR®62 white and red markings + yellow markings

(13) Turn right and follow the path through the woods along the contour line. Pass Font de Montméjean and reach a junction with a signpost indicating the Corniche du Rajol on the right and uphill.

Yellow signposting

(14) Ignore this direction and continue straight ahead, following the sign for "La Roque par le Moulin de la Caze". The trail enters the woods again, then begins a series of switchbacks before emerging into open terrain and reaching the village at the cemetery.

(15) Continue straight ahead and descend the paved slanting street that leads to the D41 at the intersection where you started. Cross carefully and follow the pavement to return to the car park (S/E).

Signposting

The yellow markings are very uneven, very dense in some sections and very sparse in others. The GPX track will be very useful.

The junction with the (10) requires caution: the wooden sign is almost illegible.

Much of the hike takes place in the undergrowth, which is an advantage during the hot season. However, it is best to set off in the morning to avoid the intense heat on the Causse.

Hiking boots are recommended: the terrain is rocky and sometimes unstable with a risk of slipping.

(S/E) La Roque-Sainte-Marguerite.

(5) Roquesaltes site (misspelled on the IGN map): a new interpretive trail allows you to explore this remarkable rock formation in a fun way. It is marked with well-written and very informative educational signs.

(6) Old Causse farmhouse in Roquesaltes, remarkable for its size and the quality of its construction.

(13) Ruined castle and hamlet of Montméjean.