From Le Poujol-sur-Orb (on the D908), take the D180 towards Combes, Col de Madale, Rosis, Col des Avels, then turn left at the Auberge des Avels and the Lodge de La Fage. Park in the car park on the left at the barrier preventing access to La Fage by car.
(S/E) From the La Fage car park, go through the barrier and down the small road, cross the private hamlet where passage is permitted (accommodation and drinks available for purchase during the tourist season), then continue on the Gorges de Colombières trail. Once you have passed the old troglodyte dwellings on the right, continue for a few hundred metres and turn right onto the Bastion trail.
(1) Climb up the slope through the undergrowth (blue markings) until you reach the foot of the Bastion. Then follow the various ledges on the left until you reach the Baume de Roucayrol (stone shelter) and, a few metres further on, the pass of the same name.
(2) Take the slightly hidden track (blue markings) that remains level (not the one that descends).
You will almost immediately reach the Roque Rouge ledge, one of the most spectacular parts of the hike.
Very exposed but not dangerous, the view is magnificent. Once you have crossed the ledge, descend through the undergrowth to the Caylus huts.
(3) Take the Piste des Biterrois towards the Col de Bartouyre (red and yellow markings forthe GRP® Haut-Languedoc and Vignobles). Walk through the woods and then climb up to the surprising Portail des Cades, a stone gate that marks the Saint-Martin ridge.
(4) Continue along the Piste des Biterrois orGRP® (markings are sometimes a little sparse, so stay alert as there are also blue dots that sometimes mix with the red and yellow ones, but both lead to the same place, first through the undergrowth, then up the rocky outcrop leading to the Saut de l'Âne, another remarkable spot with its slender rocks.
(5) Continue down the via ferrata (a few steps) then, after a fairly long walk through the undergrowth, climb up one last rocky outcrop to reach (before reaching the Col de Bartouyre) the Carrefour Saint Martin, the junction between the Piste des Biterrois orGRP® and the Sentier des Gardes.
A large cairn and clearly visible signs indicate the way.
(6) Climb up to the right on the Sentier des Gardes, which is poorly marked, follow the cairns towards the Refuge de Font Salesse and climb up numerous switchbacks to the plateau, then continue through the woods to the refuge.
(7) Take theGR®7trail to the right for about 50 metres and follow an unmarked path to the left-north-east. Do not continue towards the orientation table.
Then return to La Fage by crossing the plateau diagonally (red and whiteGR®7markings), then go up the small road on the left to the car park (S/E).


