Country:
District:
Ravin des Arcs, 30 km north of Montpellier and just after Saint-Martin-de-Londres, via the D986 (Ganges road). Car park on the left of the D986, before the Masclac bridge.
(S/E) At the end of the car park, go through the barrier (chicane). Climb up the stony path above the stream. Descend via the main path, keeping to the right, until you reach the Lavogne des Garels. This large, concave masonry structure, cleverly placed in the landscape, is used to collect water for livestock. You will come to a fork in the path.
(1) Go up to the left along the hillside, through low vegetation: look for a small thorny shrub. This is the prickly juniper, known as cade. It is easily distinguished from its cousin, the common juniper, by the two white stripes on its thorny leaves. Further up, enter the oak undergrowth and walk above the Lamalou gorges (follow the markings carefully). Cross the scree (viewpoint over the gorges, the Séranne mountain and the Roc Blanc in the distance), cross the Grabasses woods. The ground is blackened in places. These are the remains of old charcoal kilns, traces of past forestry operations. Continue down towards the ravine.
(2) Keep to the right towards the Ravin des Arcs: caution, slippery ground. The view of the arch leaning against the cliff is breathtaking. This large arch is the result of the slow work of erosion on the rock. The winding path leads to the banks of the Lamalou, just downstream from the Grand Arc.
(3) Descend the stream bed: caution: crossing the stream is prohibited in case of flooding. Cross to the right bank before the large pools or potholes. These formations are also the result of erosion.
(4) Climb up to the right along the rock faces: (steep and technical section). Follow the well-marked path that winds through the Grand Bois de la Garde and its many tree species (the white oak is recognisable by the whitish down under its leaves).
(5) On the plateau, head right onto the stony path. Descend gradually facing Pic Saint-Loup and the Londres plain, whose name comes from the old local dialect "terrain dundras", meaning marshy, dry land. Further down in the grassy meadow, continue straight ahead and cross the Lamalou again. You will rejoin the path you took on the way up at the lavogne.
(1) Keep left and follow the outward route in reverse to return to the car park (S/E).
Visorando member
Very difficult 
Association / Club / Walk leader
Difficult 
