From Cailhol to Saint-Jean-de-Minervois via Paguignan

Park behind the Paguignan cemetery.

(S/E) Leaving the hamlet of Paguignan behind you, go round the cemetery and turn right onto the D132 heading north-west, crossing the first bridge.
Cross another small bridge (with a green railing) and continue uphill to the hamlet of Cailhol.

(1) At the wayside cross on the left, leave the road and head down to the right into the hamlet via Rue du Centre. Drinking water point on the low wall. Walk right through the hamlet.
At the end of the hamlet, cross a small bridge and turn left onto the dirt track that leads uphill.
In winter, if the river is flowing, as you pass the picnic table, you can see a small pool with a little waterfall!

(2) At the fig tree on the right, just after passing a large house on the right, continue straight ahead for about 600 metres.

(3) Then take the tiny, barely visible path on the left that leads downhill. Cross a ford and head back uphill along a fairly steep, stony slope.

(4) Pass by several viewpoints overlooking the cliffs of La Cessière.

(5) At the vineyard, turn left and walk round it. Pass a partially collapsed shelter and follow the farm track.

(6) You’ll reach another vineyard; turn right to reach a crossroads where six paths meet.

(7) Head right-hand side, then leave the vineyards to pass through the heath. Turn left to pass through the vineyards again.
Turn left to go round a vineyard on the left-hand side.
After 50 m, turn right, keeping a hedge on your left.
At the copse, turn left and then right to go round a vineyard and join the tarmac road.
Watch out for traffic. Walk 500 m along the road and look for a path on the right just before a fork in the road.

(8) Leave the road and follow this track, which joins the farm track to the right; follow it for 1.5 km.
Ignore the track that climbs up to a farm building on the left above. Look out for a cairn (if it hasn’t been destroyed) and take the path on the right which descends and rejoins the crossroads you passed on the way out (fig tree).
''Carrying on straight ahead, you can reach the starting point: Paguignan Cemetery''.

(2) Turn left towards the south-east and follow the route in reverse to reach the car park behind Paguignan Cemetery (S/E).

(1) The only source of drinking water on the route.
- Take plenty of water with you.
- Remember to protect yourself from the sun: in summer, at the height of the day, temperatures can exceed 35°C in the shade, which is scarce on this route!
- Respect the hunters’ hides!
- From 15 August to early March, watch out for driven hunts. If possible, wear bright colours or a high-visibility vest.

There are no major difficulties on the route.

If possible, use the app to navigate.

Please note that, at present, a large part of the route is in a ‘white zone’ (no mobile network coverage), so remember to let your loved ones know where you’re going and to download the map before setting off.

In the hamlet of Cailhol, you can visit the cellars of Domaine Gautrand.
After the walk, you could also go and sample (in moderation) the Muscat de Saint-Jean-de-Minervois.
There’s a bakery and patisserie in the village of Aigues-Vives, on Route de Saint-Pons (opposite the co-operative wine cellar).