The Cross of Saint Martin

The departure point is at the Col de la Baraque on the D907, between Saint-Pons-de-Thomières and La Salvetat-sur-Agout. It is best to park at the start of the track, on the south side of the departmental road (capacity 2 or 3 vehicles), so that your vehicle will be in the shade all day.

(S/E) Take the forest track heading north-east for about 20 metres, then follow the left-hand track at the three-way junction.

(1) Turn left, heading north, onto the yellow-marked trail (PR®). Climb for about 600 m and, at the crossroads, turn right onto the yellow-marked trail. Continue for about 300 m until you reach the crossroads.

(2) Turn left and continue straight ahead until you reach the junction with a forest track (Croix de Lunel).

(3) Turn right and stay on this track for about 1.3 km.

(4) Take the path that climbs to the right, heading south-east, and continue to the junction with the Croix de Romieu (the cross has disappeared).

(5) Turn left onto the path heading south-east. When you reach the forest track, take the path that climbs up opposite, to the Roc de Saint-Martin with its metal cross fixed into the rock itself.

(6) Continue straight ahead on the long descent until you reach the crossroads at Croix de Bessottes.

(7) Turn right onto the road, then left onto the forest track and follow it for about 800 m.

(8) Turn right onto the path that descends towards the south-west. Cross the forest track, continue straight ahead for about 400 m, and at the crossroads, turn left and follow the fence. You will reach a crossroads.

(9) Turn right, continuing to follow the field fence, and when you reach the field entrance, turn left. Pass the place called Valière and, at the old mill, follow the forest track heading south. Cross a small bridge over the Arn and continue for about 400 m until you reach the crossroads of the forest tracks.

(10) Turn right and follow the forest track that runs alongside the GR®7. Cross the Arn again and, 400 m further on, at the crossroads, continue straight ahead, heading north, leaving the GR®7.

(11) Take the path that climbs to the left and follow it straight ahead for about 750 m until you reach a crossroads.

(12) Turn right and, at the crossroads 200 m further on, turn left. Go down this path heading due north until you reach a forest track which you should follow to the right. After about 30 metres, you will reach the crossroads between two forest tracks.

(13) Turn left. After about 100 metres, go through the gate, then turn left at the crossroads just after. Follow the forest track that crosses the Domaine de Combesalat, then leads directly to the Col de la Baraque (S/E).

To see in the region:

La Salvetat-sur-Agout (7 km): church and chapels, 12th-century bridge, Arfifat Castle (former summer residence of the bishops of Saint-Pons), Lac de la Raviège.

Lac de Vésoles ( 10 km).

Saint-Pons-de-Thomières (15 km): Saint Pons Cathedral and its museum, the Prehistory Museum, the source of the Jaur river and the old streets.

Courniou ( 20 km): the glass spinner's cave, the only cave in the Haut Languedoc Regional Nature Park.