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From Narbonne, take the RD31, leave it at the Ricardelle roundabout and head towards the Route de la Couleuvre. Park near the path that leads to the relay and the orientation table.
(S/E) Turn left (south-east) as you leave the car park and continue in the direction you arrived.
(1) Head towards Château de Figuières on the right.
(2) Leave the road and take the small path opposite, reaching the Source de Saint-Louis by making a small detour to the right.
(3) Then climb up the stony valley to reach the plateau.
(4) Turn right at the top of the valley and continue along the most clearly marked path.
(5) Leave the main path and turn right towards the edge of the plateau, where you can enjoy a beautiful view of the ponds and the Narbonne plain. Descend into a wooded area with magnificent pine trees, following a well-marked but unmarked path that passes close to a farm: be sure to keep your dogs on a leash! Head towards the bottom of the cliffs to reach the climbing site and stay as close as possible to the cliffs by taking the climbers' paths: the cliff is magnificent with beautiful ochre colours.
(6) Turn left to begin the ascent to the Figuières Plateau. At this point, there is a rope to help you climb the few steps, which are a little high.
(7) Once on the plateau, head right to reach the viewpoint overlooking Gruissan and the salt marshes.
(8) Retrace your steps.
(7) Turn right and continue across the plateau through the heath. You will reach a three-way junction.
(9) Turn right. Descend a few metres to the left of the path to see the entrance to a karstic cave, then rejoin the route to reach the top of the Ruisseau du Rec, which you will descend to the water catchment (solid building): be careful, the rocky passages can be slippery when wet! Continue along the ravine.
(10) Walk around the edge of the small artificial lake and you will come to the Route Verte, which leads to the Massif de la Clape. Turn left here towards the Rec d'Argent buildings.
(11) Leave the road and descend the path on the right. Cross the Rec stream to reach the opposite bank and continue along the path that runs alongside the stream. At this point, the path overlooking the ravine is equipped with a chain handrail. You will reach a fork in the path.
(12) Leave the path and climb left, over the scree, towards the Grotte de la Crouzade. The cave is not open to visitors. It is closed off by a door because archaeological excavations are underway. Continue the hike, staying as close as possible to the cliffs and passing in front of the climbing routes, numerous caves and rock shelters. Pass the cave and continue.
(13) Leave the bottom of the cliffs and climb up to the left through the gap to reach the Caunes plateau. Follow the small path carefully as there are no markings. Cross the plateau and take a beautiful descent that resembles a firebreak.
(14) Turn right to reach the Chapelle des Auzils car park.
(15) Follow the path on the left towards the Notre-Dame des Auzils chapel.
(16) Turn right to visit the Jardin de l'Ermite, following the paths as you wish, then return to the fork.
(16) Continue the route to the right, following the Way of the Cross leading to the chapel. The chapel is open during the season and can be visited. It is dedicated to sailors lost at sea.
(17) Continue behind the chapel on the track to the right.
(18) Turn left to cross the Plateau de Notre-Dame and reach a slightly obscure fork.
(19) Turn right, ignoring the yellow markings. Continue for a while on the plateau, then descend into the Ruisseau du Rec ravine, which you will climb up on the right.
(20) Turn right for a short detour to a cave with a beautiful porch. Turn back and continue the hike by turning right. Quickly exit the ravine on the left and you will find yourself in the Figuières heath. Continue straight ahead to the fork at the top of the small stony valley leading to the Source de Saint-Louis.
(4) Go straight ahead to descend this valley, then follow the outward route in reverse to return to the car park (S/E).
Without advanced technology such as GPS, etc., it is impossible to start and follow the paper directions.
Visorando member
Easy 
