The Roquandouire Gate at the start of the Ourtigas

Park at the Col de l'Ourtigas car park.

(S/E) Cross the road and take the Plo des Brus trail (yellow markings) which climbs up the rocks opposite. Head to the Plo des Brus viewpoint.

(1) Enjoy the view and continue along the trail, entering the Reserve. Be sure to follow the instructions, in particular, do not leave the trail. At the edge of the forest, turn right at a 90° angle to reach a wider trail, then 100 m further on, turn left and follow a path that climbs up to the plateau and leads to a very high and imposing cairn. At an altitude of over 1,000 metres, enjoy unobstructed views in good weather of Pic Saint-Loup, Pic du Vissou, the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees.

(2) Continue along the path that descends into the meadow towards Serre de Majous, the most technical and steep part of the route. Follow the blue markings (discreet), descend over the rocks towards the Portail de Roquandouire, visible in the distance after about an hour's walk. After a final steep and technical descent over the rocks, you will arrive at the junction with the white and red marked GR® trail.

White and red marked GR®

(3) Then turn left and follow the GR® for about 500 m to reach the Portail de Roquandouire.

(4) Retrace your steps to the junction with the arrival path.

(3) Stay on the GR® trail, which veers slightly to the left into the terraced fields, along the Casselouvre, to the hamlet of Caissenols le Haut. Take the time to "visit" this hamlet suspended in time. A local association is currently working to preserve and restore it.

(5) Head back up into the woods, winding your way between the trees and crossing the Ourtigas stream several times, until you reach the car park where you started (S/E).

No water on the route, route in the middle of nature and without much traffic => be careful and plan ahead.

There is also little mobile phone coverage, so make sure you tell your family and friends about your route.

(S/E) Col de l'Ourtigas.

(1) Plo des Brus.

(4) Portail de Roquandouire.

(5) Hamlet of Caissenols le Haut.