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The start is at the small bridge over the Rieussec, roughly 200 m past the Rayssac or Raissac estate (two possible spellings), which is located about 3 km north of the village of Conques-sur-Orbiel. There is a small car park, under a large oak tree, with space for five vehicles. Please note that during this hike you will encounter many paths and tracks, so to avoid getting lost, it is essential to follow the marked route carefully. A GPS or the Visorando app may be useful.
(S/E) Turn left onto the tarmac road. Pass the first path on the right and continue to a fork.
(1) Take the path on the right which climbs through the heath and leads to a small refuge. Take the narrow path on the right above the refuge and join a wider track.
(2) Follow it to the left, keep to the right about fifty metres further on, then do the same at the next three-way junction. You’ll reach a wide cross-path.
(3) Cross it and continue along the path opposite to reach another wide track.
(4) Take it to the right for 150 m, then turn onto a small path that branches off to the left and passes between a few drystone shelters, making a wide circular loop to the left. You will reach a junction shaped like an inverted Y.
(5) Take the path on the right after the signpost for the drystone shelter walks. You’ll reach another four-way junction.
(6) Take the main path on the left.
(7) At the junction, follow the main path to the right and start climbing, ignoring another main path that climbs to the right about 350 m further on.
(8) Turn right onto the path which climbs slightly and leads to a small crossroads. Turn right onto the path which joins a wide track after about 200 m.
(9) Turn right onto it and continue straight ahead, ignoring the paths on the left. You will reach a four-way junction.
(10) Take the overgrown, stony path on the left which, after about a hundred metres, takes a sharp right-hand bend. Continue, keeping in the same direction, until you reach a T-junction.
(11) Take the main path on the left for about 100 m, then turn right onto a small track that descends alongside a rock. You will reach the river, the Rieussec.
(12) Cross it (be careful, as this can be difficult in spring and winter) and, after climbing for about 25 m, take thesecond path leading uphill to the left. You will reach the main track running alongside the old Salsigne mine.
(13) Follow it to the right until the end.
(14) Then turn right and, about 50 m further on, follow a path that climbs to the right between two rocks. You will reach a three-way junction.
(15) Take the path on the left for about 3 km and continue along the tarmac section to reach
an old sign and a path leading off to the right.
(16) Do not take this path, as the correct one is opposite it, on the left. It crosses an old sports ground.
(17) Cross the small road you left earlier and continue straight ahead, ignoring the paths branching off to the right. You will arrive at a road with the Rayssac estate in view.
(18) Turn right.
(1) Continue along the road to the bridge over the Rieussec (S/E).
Visorando Member
Easy 
