Country:
City:
Park in the small hamlet of Saint-Martin-de-L’Arçon in the car park opposite the church.
(S/E) Walk uphill for about 50 m and take the road on the right for about 200 m until you reach the hairpin bend before the water tower.
(1) Take the blue-marked trail which passes over the water tower. An old but well-marked path will take you directly to the Cascade de l’Albine via the Col de Pomarède.
(2) To continue, cross the waterfall (take care if the flow is strong) and look for the blue markings. Carry on along the path, which climbs steadily, and after 10 to 15 minutes, you’ll need to cross another waterfall, this time on the left (you haven’t gone astray).
(3) At eye level directly in front of you, the blue markings show you the path. Follow this path to the summit, where a magnificent view awaits you on the right.
(4) Follow the track for about 1 km before you come to a wooden footbridge.
(5) Turn right and continue for about 500 m until you reach a path on the left that branches off at a right angle.
(6) Turn left onto the path and join a main track.
(7) Turn right and begin the descent to Douch. Make the most of the water source and a lovely stone table for lunch.
(8) From this stone table, take the path on the left, marked with yellow signposts, and climb for about 200 m, ignoring a fork to the left.
(9) At the three-way junction, keep to the right and continue climbing for 200 m
(10) Turn onto the path on the right, climb to the summit and then descend to the Col de Tirondel.
(11) At the pass, carry on straight ahead.
(12) Ignore the path opposite and take the mountain bike track on the left.
(13) Carry on to the right towards the Col du Salis.
(14) At the pass, turn left towards Héric (3 km – 40–45 minutes).
(15) In Héric, continue to the right towards Bardou. Head for the pass of the same name.
(16) At the top of the hill, at the junction for Saint-Martin-du-Froid, Mons and Bardou, head towards Bardou. Cross the hamlet, keeping level, then follow the path as it continues. The climb becomes steep and almost vertical. Keep a large pine tree at the summit in your sights and head towards it. Behind it lies the Saint-Martin-du-Froid chapel.
(17) Follow the track and begin the descent to the Col de Bardou.
(16) Head towards Mons, keeping to the left at all junctions.
(18) Once in Mons, follow the tarmac road to the left, then quickly take the mountain bike track to the right and follow it. Do not enter the village; pass the car park and continue uphill for 100 m.
(19) Continue climbing along the valley floor.
(20) Go down the small flight of steps on the right, cross the Passerelle des Soupirs and turn right. Cross La Coste via Rue du Roc de l’Homme, then continue straight on. Follow the track to Saint-Martin-de-L’Arçon (S/E).
Visorando Member
Difficult 
Moderate 
