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There are no signposts for this route (ignore any existing signposts).
To reach the start: on the road to Lizac, at a place called Bichet, take the Chemin du Chasselas (steep climb) and drive for about 500 m before turning right onto the track leading to a hunting lodge. Park in the car park.
(S/E) Continue on foot along the path you took to the car park. Turn left after about a hundred metres and head straight up to the start of the circular route.
(1) At the start of the circular loop,take the path to the right to tackle the main climb in the shade rather than in the sun. Follow the path, ignoring all the paths branching off to the left. After a left-hand bend, you’ll reach a viewpoint overlooking the Tarn. The viewpoint is reached via a short path branching off to the right from the main path.
(2) After the viewpoint, return to the main path and follow it to the right until you reach a large right-hand bend that winds round the ruined Château des Mothes. Note that the castle, situated to the right of the path, may not be very visible due to the vegetation.
(3) You can catch a glimpse of the castle’s collapsed tower through the vegetation. Continue straight on along the path, ignoring all the paths branching off to the right. On this stretch, you’ll come across two imposing mobile phone masts between Bramefan and Bazarès. At Bazarès, keep left to begin the descent leading to the Fontaniés crossroads on a tarmac road.
(4) Follow it to the left and continue to the riding school, where the road turns into a dirt track. Carry on to the gate near the Ruisseau de Fontaniés.
(5) Go through the gate and continue to the right as far as the pond. Go round it on the right, passing in front of the old pumping station. Carry on in this way until you reach the embankment of the irrigation reservoir. Note the beautiful poplar field on the right. Cross the embankment and follow the path running alongside the reservoir.
(6) Take a sharp right-hand bend to begin a new climb; you’ll soon come to a stony track which marks the end of this steep ascent.
(7) Turn left onto it; it soon becomes a dirt track. Continue through the fields until you reach a new crossroads at the highest point. Take the left-hand track, follow it alongside the woodland and return to the original crossroads.
(1) Retrace your steps along the path you took on the way out, turning right to return to the car park at the hunting lodge (S/E).
Visorando Member
Moderate 
