Joncas – Castelas – Arboras

Start from the archaeological site (stele, altitude 286m) on the edge of the D122 (Route des Lavagnes). Parking available.

(S/E) Head down to the right along the^PR® (well-marked yellow trail) towards the Joncas ravine and reach the low point.

(1) If the stream is flowing strongly, continue on the^PR® until you rejoin the route a little further on at a bend in a track, to avoid getting your feet wet.
Otherwise (route choice), leave the^PR® by taking an unmarked but clearly visible path to the left that follows the Joncas ravine upstream. Reach the junction with a DFCI track.

(2) If the stream is still not flowing and if a few wet rocks do not put you off, it is possible to leave this route and take another circular route called Grotte des Fées de Montpeyrous - 3 Combes: Madame, Méjanne du Vent.
Otherwise (route choice), turn right onto the track that climbs gently back towards the^PR® you left earlier.

(3) Continue along the^PR® path, climbing left along the ridge until you meet the^GR®653: the Arles Way, marked in white and red.

(4) Follow the dual markings to the right, leaving the main track.

(5) Pass close to Castelas de Montpeyrou and continue down towards Montpeyroux, until you reach the junction between^{the GR®653}and the PR^®.

(6) Continue straight on the^GR®653to reach the hamlet of Le Barry. Join a PR^®.

(7) At the church, turn right towards the cemetery on the^GR®653and join the D9 at the hamlet of La Meillade.

(8) Turn right and immediately leave the D9, continuing straight on along the^GR®653. You’ll rejoin the D9 at a wayside shrine.

(9) Turn right onto the D9 for about a hundred metres before leaving it again for a path on the left which passes further on by Le Rouvignous, then crosses the D130 (Chemin de Saint-Saturnin). Arrive in Arboras via the cemetery. Pass the castle then the church and rejoin the D9.

(10) Turn left, then left again about 20 metres further on. At the three-way junction that appears shortly afterwards, keep right and make a complete circular loop through the vineyards before returning to the D9.

(10) Follow Impasse Boutonnet to the left, then take the path on the left between two houses (^PR® signposting). This quickly turns left and heads north-west. Join a track.

(11) Turn right, keep to the right a few dozen metres further on and head down the track leading to the D9 on the outskirts of the village.

(12) Follow the road to the left, crossing a large bridge over the Rouvignous.

(13) Immediately after this, leave the D9 to the left and follow the^PR® northwards until you reach the D122 (Route des Lavagnes).

(14) Continue along the^PR® which heads south again on the road and return to the car park (S/E).

Bring a head torch to take a peek inside the Grotte des Fées, if conditions in the Joncas ravine allow.

This hike is a Plan B for the nearby Grotte des Fées de Montpeyroux – Trois Combes: Madame, Méjanne, du Vent hike if the Joncas ravine is impassable due to flooding.

Places to visit:

• the Grotte des Fées (off the trail),
• the Castelas de Montpeyroux,
• the Cocalières dolmens,
• the Neolithic enclosure.