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Access - From Villeneuve-en-Minervois, take the D111 towards Pradelles-Cabardes. After 6 km through the gorges, you will arrive at the village of Cabrespine. The street is narrow and, at the left-hand bend, continue straight ahead towards the wash house. Then turn right and cross the bridge (the street is still very narrow). After the bridge, turn right and 80 m further on, you will find the Parking des Jardins, where you are likely to find a parking space.
(S/E) Return towards the wash house until you reach the D111.
(1) Cross the departmental road and go up Rue Alphonse Ségui. As soon as you can, turn right between the houses, then left to join a wider road.
After the last house, take the botanical trail that climbs to the left. Along this trail, you will find information about the most common plants in the region. Walk to the fork, a stone's throw from the chasm.
(2) From here, you are 50 metres from the Gouffre Géant de Cabrespine (a must-see in the area). Go up to the right. Continue to the end of the botanical trail.
(3) The botanical trail ends here. Do not continue straight ahead, but turn left.
The path climbs steeply and you will soon come to a fork. Take the path on the right (unless you want to go to Roc d'Agnel).
You will then begin a descent. After about 300 m, you will pass the Coroluna cave.
(4) Continue downhill to the Escoles ravine, then climb back up. Soon you will come to another cave (this one larger), which was once a refuge for resistance fighters.
(5) Descend back down to the stream.
(6) On the day we visited, the stream was dry, so it was very easy to cross. From there, you begin another climb up to a stone monument. Then descend to the village of Trassanel. Take the first street on the right until the next intersection.
(7) Take the road that climbs to the right. This is theGR®36(red and white markings).
This part on the tarmac is not the most pleasant, but the landscape is interesting.
Walk until you come to a stone path.
(8) Keep following theGR®36. You will soon come to a tarmac road.
At a left-hand bend, go straight ahead onto a path (still marked in red and white). After 100 m, you will come to a wider path. Continue to the right until the next junction.
(9) You will come to an even wider stony path. Turn right (leaving theGR® which heads north towards Pradelles). Follow this flat path to the marker opposite the Roc de l'Aigle.
(10) From here, the view is very interesting. Head east towards the rock for a round trip.
(11) Take the time to enjoy the scenery. You will discover a beautiful view of Cabrespine and all the surrounding mountains (including the Pic de Nore). Then return to the marker.
(10) Begin the descent towards the south. Be careful, the path is quite slippery.
After a little over 500 metres, the slope levels out. You will soon come to a gate.
(12) Don't forget to close the gate behind you. Turn left to return to the start of the loop. You will encounter two more gates along this section.
(3) Retrace your steps back to Cabrespine (S/E).
On the way, you can visit the chasm (allow 1 hour for the visit).
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