Le Caroux - east face

Park at the Avels car park.

(S/E) Set off on foot towards the hamlet of La Fage along a small tarmac road.

(1) Leave the GR® trail on your right and continue straight ahead until you reach the three lodges. Then follow the PR® trail down the Gorges towards Colombières for about 1 km: yellow markings. You will come to a fork in the trail marked by a signpost.

(2) Take the small path on the right towards the Bastion climbing site: marked with small, slightly faded yellow circles. Alternate between forest passages and large sloping rock slabs. Watch out for trees, rocks and overhangs. You will be rewarded with magnificent views of the Colombières Gorges and the Orb Valley. You will arrive at a fork in the path in the middle of the forest with the Madeleine Circuit.

(3) Continue to the right, following the yellow-marked trail. Pass through the large rocks at the foot of the Falaises de Cadiol. Arrive at the junction with the Enclume and Bel Plo circuits.

(4) Be careful, the colours of the markings are mixed up, so follow the GPX track carefully. From now on, temporarily follow the blue circles and stay horizontal as you head towards the opposite side. Do not go back up with the yellow trail to the plateau via the Cheminée de Cadiol. Begin a long S-shaped descent into the forest, followed by an ascent, still on a technical and stony path. Cross streams that are often dry, then walk alongside troglodytic dwellings (stone walls) before the space opens up. Arrive at the Col de la Baume de Roucayrol, a crossroads of several routes.

(5) Follow the blue arrows and markings, still horizontally, to tackle the Vire de Roque Rouge, which is spectacular but not too challenging as it stays close to the rock face without venturing too close to the edge of the cliff: the view is magnificent. The ledge is about 500 m long. Follow it to the junction with the Sentier du Roucarel.

(6) Turn left and begin a long technical descent through the rocks, still following the blue markings. The steps and scree gradually give way to the shade of the forest, arriving at the Baraques de Caylus junction, with three stone "sécadous" (stone shelters) with collapsed roofs.

(7) Then climb up to the right on the GRP® Sentier des Biterrois (yellow and red markings), towards Roc de Bartouyre. Ford the Ruisseau d'Albine, a stream that varies in flow depending on the season. Stay on the GRP® and do not venture onto the stream, which gives way to a steep waterfall a few dozen metres further on. Continue and remain vigilant so as not to miss the junction with a very small path that climbs to the right at a right angle, marked by a cairn and yellow markings, which marks the start of the Sentier de Garel

(8). Follow this path, which climbs steeply to the plateau via large rock slabs. Follow the numerous cairns that lead to the base of the Caroux plateau, at the Rocher de Sarrazine: enjoy the sublime panorama of the Orb valley below from this natural viewpoint.

(9) Continue straight ahead on the path, ignoring the paths branching off to the left, pass a very large cairn over a metre high, before beginning the descent towards the forest, then cross the Albine stream below.

(10) Continue straight ahead on the small path that climbs up the opposite bank. Climb up through the ferns towards Roc du Boutou, then descend after the pass and cross another stream before arriving at the Bel Plo plateau, where you can enjoy more superb views.

(11) Stay on the main path, which branches off at a right angle to the left: be sure to follow the GPX track. Continue on flat ground through the forest and ferns, then across the plateau's moorland, arriving 1 km further on at a junction with the GR®7: white and red markings.

(12) Take it to the right and descend towards the hamlet of La Fage. The descent is technical and challenging. There are beautiful views towards Madale Mountain and the Auberge de la Fage, then further on towards Pic de Vissou and, in good weather, Pic Saint Loup and Hortus. Reach the riverbank below, at the level of the tarmac road at the start.

(1) Turn left to reach the Avels car park (S/E).

An aerial, athletic and technical route, without being challenging or dangerous. Not to be attempted in wet weather, as the ground can be slippery in places, particularly on the large schist slabs and on the Roque Rouge ledge.

There are no water points along the route, except at the start and finish at the Fage lodges, but only in summer.

This route is in the middle of nature and not very busy, so be careful and plan ahead, and make sure your friends and family know about your route.

Lodges and hamlet of La Fage.

Auberge de La Fage.

Madale quarry.

Caroux orientation table.

Hamlet of Douch.

Orb Valley.