The Mont Grand circular loop from Versols

Park opposite the village of Versols, on the left after crossing the bridge over the Sorgues, in the designated parking area (there are few spaces in the village itself).

(S/E) Cross the bridge over the Sorgues again towards the village, then cross the bridge over the Verzolet almost directly opposite. Turn left in front of the church, then, 50 m further on, just before reaching the main road, turn right into a narrow lane that passes under a porch. Continue along this lane, which soon becomes a track climbing through grazed heathland, then turns into a footpath.

(1) After about 200 m, you’ll reach a path that veers sharply to the right, almost following the contour line. Take this track, which often splits into several paths (sheep tracks) but is easy to follow by keeping to the main direction, which winds along the hillside with a very slight downward slope. You’ll reach a meadow where the track is barely visible: head towards the bridge, which is clearly visible at the bottom of the valley.

(2) Cross this bridge over the Verzolet, and immediately turn left onto the path on the embankment that runs alongside a small canal (the leat for the headrace of the old Versols mill). After about 500 m, take a footbridge (made up of 4 wooden planks laid side by side) and climb the small zigzagging path opposite up a fairly steep slope.
Caution! This fairly short section of newly laid path is not very well marked, so take care not to stray from it.
After a final section comprising 4 or 5 stone steps followed by the same number of wooden logs, you’ll reach an almost level path, bordered upstream by a stone retaining wall. Follow it to the right for about 350 m until you come to a track.

From this point, until you return to Versols, the route follows yellow markings (as does Trail 29).

(3) Take the path climbing up to the left, towards La Calm - Mascourbe. After 200 m, leave the pasture and enter the forest; leave the path and take the track on the right that climbs through the forest.
200 m further on, at an elevation of 494 m, at the junction of two yellow-marked paths, take the one on the right towards La Calm via Mont Grand – Mascourbe (Trail 29).

(4) Continue climbing to the summit of Mont Grand and its large IPN cross. From the cross, follow a track for about 500 m until you reach a path branching off to the right. Further on, rejoin the track which enters a pine forest and, after a few hundred metres, arrive at the La Calm forest house.

(5) Just past the house, you’ll reach a crossroads. Turn right and follow this very good, carriage-accessible track for about 2 km.
500 m after a hairpin bend to the left, you’ll reach a crossroads where the main track turns sharply left.

(6) Take the path on the right towards Notre-Dame du Cayla. Walk past the chapel to enjoy the view, then retrace your steps to take the path that descends from the end of the low wall. A fairly steep descent leads to a stream, which you cross. 200 m further on, you’ll come to a crossroads of paths.

(7) Ignore the path on the left (towards the power station) and take the one on the right (direct to Versols), which will take you back to the village. Be sure to take the time to explore the village’s narrow streets and admire (from the outside) its castle before returning to the car park (S/E).

No shops on site: bring your own provisions.
It is advisable to wear good walking shoes and, if necessary, use walking poles for certain steep sections of the ascent or descent, which can be slippery, especially in wet weather.
A GPS navigator and a good sense of direction are useful for the unmarked section between (1) and (3).