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There are two car parks in Octon. Both are suitable.
(S/E) If you leave from the car park below the village square, drive back up to the square and turn right, following Avenue des Platanes and then Avenue du Mas de Ruffas as it continues.
(1) Just after the bridge over a stream (usually dry), turn left onto Chemin de Carol, which climbs uphill. Continue climbing until the path opens onto a flatter meadow.
(2) When you reach this grassy plain, you will quickly find a path that branches off to the left, but do not take it. Continue straight ahead until you reach thesecond clearing, following the wider path for another 150 metres or so until you reach a fork. This time, take the path on the left.
The terrain is fairly flat, then descends slightly. A path will join your route from the left.
(3) Continue straight ahead.
(4) At the next fork, go up to the right to reach a flat area with shrubs, box trees and quite a few scree slopes.
(5) The dolmens are somewhat hidden. Turn left. The trail is sometimes difficult to follow between the oak trees and boxwoods as there are several variations, but you will always come back to the path. You will quickly reach a farm track that is easy to follow. After a short descent, join a larger farm track with a large gate.
(6) Continue to the right, going uphill. At the intersection with a path where there is a stone cross, turn left to reach the Notre-Dame de Roubignac Chapel. The route has rejoined the yellow marked trail. You can now follow these markings for the rest of the hike until you return to Octon.
(7) The Romanesque chapel is open to visitors. The garden, shaded by a grove, has a charm that makes it an ideal spot for a picnic.
The walk continues along the path that led to the chapel and descends steeply into a ravined terrain (ropes have been added to facilitate the descent) and under the trees until you reach a stream.
(8) Ford the stream. You will then have to climb steeply. It is steep but not very long. Join a 4x4 track that descends and follow it to the left, continuing straight on to the village of Octon. The ruins of the castle will be visible on the other side of the valley.
Once at the church square, take the second road on the right (Avenue de la Molière) to return to the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Easy 
