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Coming from Forcalqueiret, the circuit starts at the end of Chemin du Puits.
There is space to park one or two cars at the side of the road at the crossroads.
(S/E) Take the dirt track, Rouvel, which continues on from the road, Chemin du Puits. Follow it east-north-east, ignoring the turnings on the left and the paths on the right.
Continue along the path, which curves sharply to the right at the end and ends in a hairpin bend to the left.
(1) Exit the hairpin bend via a path, then turn right to enter a new hairpin bend that turns to the right. Ignore the path that branches off to the left in the bend.
Continue climbing up the path as it levels out. Ignore the paths that branch off to the right. You will come to a T-junction.
(2) Turn left, then continue climbing until you reach a wide dirt track.
(3) Turn left onto the wide dirt track. It curves sharply to the left and the slope becomes less steep. Now on flat ground, the track turns right through the oak trees.
Stay on the main track, ignoring the paths and trails on either side. Continue until the track curves sharply to the left and the gradient becomes slightly downhill.
(4) In the bend, veer right to leave the dirt track between two large rocks. The slope then rises briefly over very stony ground before quickly rejoining a well-marked path. This path descends slightly, winding through the trees. Ignore two branches on the right.
When you reach an intersection, avoid the path on the left, which descends steeply and becomes unclear until it disappears completely. Instead, continue on the well-marked path on the right, heading in the same north-westerly direction, until the vegetation thins out.
You will then have a magnificent view of the Garéoult plain and the Château du Castellas to the west.
(5) Descend into the undergrowth heading due west. Ignore the path that branches off to the right a little further down. Continue straight ahead westwards on the path (not shown on the IGN map).
When you reach the water reservoir, go around it on the left. Join a tarmac road. The castle is clearly visible opposite.
(6) Please note that access to the ruins of Castellas Castle has been prohibited since 2017.
Turn left and descend, staying on the tarmac road. Ignore the first fork on the right (not shown on the IGN map).
At the second fork on the right, leave the tarmac road and take the forest path. This loop goes all the way around the castle below. Begin the descent in a large curve to the right, ignoring a path on the left.
Further on, the path becomes a tarmac road. Continue downhill to the right. Ignore the tarmac road on the left which joins the D12 departmental road. Continue downhill until you find a path on the right.
(7) Turn right onto the path that climbs uphill. It winds through the pine trees, alternating between beautiful rocky slabs and soft passages on damp earth. Continue until you reach the large crossroads at the foot of the castle.
(8) Ignore the first path on the left marked with a yellow line. Take the second fork, marked with a yellow cross. This is a rocky path that descends gently. It joins a wider dirt track.
Continue downhill to the left. Stay on this wide path, ignoring the branches on either side, until you reach the starting crossroads (S/E).
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