Ruined castle and the ridges of Montagne de Crussol

Start from the Château de Crussol car park, at the end of Chemin de Beauregard.

Marked with white-and-red^GR® signs, apart from sections within the castle ruins.

(S/E) At the end of the access road to the car park, turn left onto the path leading to the ruins. At the building, turn right and continue along the path. Note the open-air theatre below on the left, then head straight on to the entrance gate of the enclosure.

(1) Before entering, do not hesitate to walk along the ramparts there and back to reach the^first viewpoint.

(1) On your return, go through the gate and carry on, keeping the main signposted path as your guide. Feel free to take detours to explore the ruins and reach different viewpoints.
After visiting the lower part, continue climbing towards the summit and look out for a stone staircase on the left.

(2) Take this staircase to reach the ruins of the stately home perched on its rocky outcrop. After taking in the site and its surroundings, return to the foot of the staircase.

(2) Turn left and you’ll soon find a gate on your right leading out of the castle. Continue along the path which descends and then climbs again close to the cliff. Don’t hesitate to turn round to enjoy the view of the castle. You’ll reach an area where the track is very wide; look out for a path branching off to the right.

(3) Carry on straight ahead, almost right at the edge of the cliff, mostly through woodland, with magnificent clearings and lovely views.
Keep to the left at the next three junctions, marked by signposts, and carry on until you find an inconspicuous path on the right (return route).

(4) Go straight on and you’ll reach an area of heathland.

Unmarked

(5) Leave the^GR®, marked in white and red, which heads off to the left, and take the small path opposite, which follows the top of the cliff, to go round the plateau. Walk along the edge of the rocks until you reach the remains of a small ruin on your right.

(6) Continue along the path, which descends for about ten metres before turning right. Pass through an open area and reach a fork with a path leading down to the left.

(7) Ignore this and take the path on the right, which is less clearly marked and somewhat hidden by vegetation. The path then follows the edge of the cliff at the Roman quarries and runs along the edge of the precipice. Although there are no technical difficulties, caution is advised on these short sections. Continue until you rejoin the route you have already taken.

^GR® white-and-red markings

(4) Turn left and retrace your steps along the path you took on the way there until you reach the fork just before the descent to the castle ruins.

No markings

(3) Turn left and take the small descending path that follows the crest of the ridge to the bottom of the slope.

(8) At the cross-country path, turn left and head towards a fork.

(9) Turn right, then left a few metres further on, and head for the car park at Crussol Castle (S/E).

Slippery walk in wet weather.

Between (7) and (4), the path runs along the top of the cliff face of the ancient Roman quarries. Caution is advised on the short sections near the drop-off.

Allow an hour to wander through the castle ruins.

Crussol Castle.