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Park in the car park at the Col de Thalis between the hamlets of Mélargues (South Aveyron) and Marcou (Hérault).
(S/E) Head north-west along a yellow-marked track that winds through the shade of a beautiful, mixed-species forest. Join the Mont Frech stream.
(1) Ford the stream, continue along the track, go round Mont Frech and reach the junction with a path.
(2) Leave the yellow-markedPR® here and take the path on the left. Complete the walk around Mont Frech.
(3) At the next junction, keep right to reach the Col de Marcou. At the pass, rejoin theGR® 71 (andthe GR® de Pays Haut Languedoc et Vignobles).
(4) Take a path on the right to climb a steep slope to the Croix de Marcou.
Enjoy a stunning view of the Haut Languedoc from here.
(5) Descend in the opposite direction to the start via a steep, slippery path through the rocks.
On the descent, look out for a path, not very well marked (be careful not to go down too far).
(6) Turn left into the scrubland towards the Marcounet farm, which is currently being restored. Cut across thePR® and join the Plo Auriol and theGR® 71.
(7) Turn right onto theGR® 71 path. Continue along this path to the Col de Layrac.
(8) Leave theGR® 71 and turn left onto the pleasant little road. Head downhill to the Cartayrade lodge. Make a return trip to the Chapelle Saint-Maurice.
(9) Turn left 180°, onto the poorly markedPR® path, to climb up through the Combe Nale ravine to the Col de Thalis plateau and its car park (S/E).
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Visorando Member
Difficult 
