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The starting point is the greenway car park (marked by a sign), which you reach by turning right at the entrance to Chalabre when coming from the Mirepoix road. This car park is next to the old Chalabre railway station, whose line once connected Brams to Lavelanet. This railway line fell into disuse in 1973 and has been converted into a route.
Greenway signposting
(S/E) From the car park, head north, following the greenway sign in front of the old station. Cross the Hers river before going through a fairly long tunnel, which lights up as you approach. Start a curve to the west, following the Hers river and orchards.
GR®7Asignposting
(1) At the end of the orchards, leave the greenway that leads to Bram. Turn right onto a path that runs alongside the Hers for a few hundred metres before crossing it on the right via a concrete footbridge. A little further on, join the D16 and turn right to enter Sonnac-sur-l'Hers.
(2) Cross this road carefully and turn left just at the entrance to the village onto a road that runs alongside a cemetery. After the cemetery, turn right onto a small road lined with a hedge. This road heads east and becomes a grassy path climbing uphill, running alongside crops, then a rockier path lined with shrubs. Walk between meadows and undergrowth on theGR®7A, which is very discreetly marked, until you reach the Croix du Pape.
ErraticPR® markings
(3) At this point, turn left and follow the sign for Col du Bac, 3.5 km away. Walk along aPR® (Promenade et Randonnée) trail with markings that are certainly old and very erratic (yellow with a pink dot on top).
(4) Just after the Bordeneuve guesthouse, turn right onto a path that becomes a trail through the woods heading east then south-east. Leave the Sarret on your right, pass through Poumette to reach elevation 607.
(5) At this junction, turn right towards Chalabre, 6 km away. Continuing south-east, you will arrive at the Col du Bac and join the D620.
(6) Turn right onto the D620 and follow it carefully on the left for about 800 m.
No signposts
(7) Leave the D620 on your left towards the Route des Crêtes. Continue along this small road (D8001) for about 400 m.
(8) At this point, turn right onto a grassy path that descends, is not very visible and is not very busy (take care). Descend this steep, overgrown path for a few hundred metres before joining theGR®7Aat elevation 619.
GR®7Asignposting
(9) Take the dirt track supporting theGR® on your right. This track then becomes a path and descends more steeply. Stay on theGR®7A, ignoring the various paths on the right or left, before arriving in Montjardin.
(10) Enter the village of Montjardin from the north, pass in front of the town hall and turn right at the end of the village onto Rue de la Fontaine. Follow the path that passes in front of the water treatment plant and along the small river Chalabreil, which you will ford twice (there is little water in spring and summer).
(11) To reach the entrance to Chalabre, first take the D620 via Route de Limoux, which you leave on your left at the tennis court and its three famous sculptures of tennis players. Go down the street and, at the corner of the tennis club premises, take the path on your right that runs alongside a stretch of water that is often dry. At the corner of a rest area, cross the bridge on your left, which will take you to the other bank of the Chalabreil. Continue along a dirt track until you reach the first houses of Chalabre.
(12) Walk up Rue d'en Plume. At Pont Neuf, continue straight ahead down the Pont Neuf descent and turn right onto Rue de Colbert (you can take advantage of the proximity to old Chalabre to visit this charming village). Turn right again to cross the footbridge over the Chalabreil. After crossing, turn left onto Rue de l'Hôpital. At the end of the street, after the sports ground car park, climb the hill opposite to find the greenway on your right. Pass the cemetery and return to the starting point (S/E).
Visorando member
Difficult 
