In Soubès, park in the large hikers' car park (signposted) to the east of the village.
(S/E) Ignore the yellow markings and follow theGR®71markings.
From the car park, take theGR®71or Chemin de la Beaume, which descends behind the school. Continue along this path heading due north.
(1) Cross two roads to reach a crossroads.
(2) Leave the return path on your right and turn left onto theGR®71, which climbs steadily and leads to the Larzac Plateau through the magnificent Parlatges Forest, at the cost of a considerable effort (437 m elevation gain).
You will arrive at a meadow enclosed by a fence with a green cistern in the middle.
(3) Leave theGR® and take the track on the left for 400 m. You will arrive at a large clearing, where you will find a faint path on the right (small cairn) that leads into the forest and to the Trou du Loup (GPS recommended on this section). The hole is about twenty metres behind the watering hole, slightly to the right, and its entrance is closed by a gate.
(4) Return to theGR® trail, heading due south. Take it on the left and you will soon reach the boundary wall of Mas de Rouquet.
(5) Leave theGR®71, which branches off to the left, and continue straight ahead, passing in front of the ruins of this old farm (danger, do not enter). After the property, continue right on the track until you reach a crossroads.
(6) Take the left-hand track for 500 metres, then take a small path (cairn) that branches off to the left. A hundred metres further on, you will discover the impressive double karstic cave of Mas de Rouquet (danger, do not approach the edge).
(7) Turn around to return to the track junction.
(6) Take the track on the left. At the first intersection, turn right for about 240 metres until you reach another fork.
(8) Then take a less marked track that branches off to the right (small cairn). At the first crossroads, turn left until you reach a junction.
(9) View of Lodève and Lake Salagou in the distance.
Turn left and, after going through the gate (close it behind you), continue straight ahead, heading south, into the meadow opposite.
Find a yellow-marked trail and follow it straight ahead, still heading south. Pass in front of a dolmen, cross a track and continue for 200 m.
(10) Leave the yellow markings and take a path that veers sharply to the left. There is an old wooden sign indicating the direction of Soubes.
This small path, used more by wild boars than hikers, will take you down into the valley via a series of hairpin bends.
(11) When you reach a road, keep to the right and after about 100 metres you will rejoin theGR® (at the rubbish bins).
(2) Continue straight ahead on theGR®71and retrace your steps to return to the (S/E).
