The Caroux cross-country trails

Start from the hamlet of Douch in the commune of Rosis. Park in the hikers’ car park, on the left at the entrance to the hamlet.

(S/E) Head towards the hamlet, pass the mouflon statue and turn left towards the Col de l’Airole. Make your way up to it.

(1) Turn left towards the plateau and follow the narrow path winding through the heather until you reach the plateau. Join a wider track.

(2) Turn right.

(3) Turn right onto a path that runs along the edge of the plateau towards the Roc du Caroux. There are no real signposts, so you’ll need to follow the GPS track closely. Reach a viewpoint overlooking the gorges and the hamlet of Héric.

(4) Continue along the edge of the plateau.

(5) Head straight on to reach the summit of Roc du Caroux.

(6) Turn back.

(5) Descend to the right towards the stream (Rieutort). Cross it and climb back up the opposite side, following the blue markings. Arrive at the Plo de la Maurelle viewpoint.

(7) Continue, enjoying the panoramic view of the valley to your right. You are now in a pine-wooded area and a track leads to the Refuge de Font Salesse.

(8) Take the path on the right through the pine trees; this is the Sentier des Gardes.

(9) Continue the descent, passing a path on your left, go past the Rocher de Lucet on your left and begin a series of tight hairpin bends leading to the Saint-Martin crossroads (signpost). 

(10) Turn left onto the Piste des Biterrois, marked with yellow and red signs. Enjoy the view over the valley as you follow the path to the Saut de l’Âne pass. A few streams dot the route.

(11) You will need to climb over some rocks to cross a rocky ridge. This section of the route is quite challenging, with ascents and descents, so take care to follow the yellow and red markings closely. This will take you to the Portail des Cades, a distinctive passage beneath the boulders.

(12) Continue along the path to the next junction.

(13) Turn left, leaving the Biterrois track, and begin the ascent. There are yellow markings, but they are very old and barely visible; you will need to rely on cairns and, above all, the GPS track. The path, made up of stacked slabs serving as steps, climbs gradually up the ravine, with the Rocher de Sarrazine on the right acting as a rampart. Reach a viewpoint.

(14) Continue along the path.

(15) Turn left at a 90° angle to follow the almost straight path until you cross the path coming from the orientation table.

(16) Turn right. At the junction at the 1063m mark, head diagonally to the right, leaving the GR® and GRP® behind. Pass the Plo de l'Aygue and then the Jasse d'Alingri to reach the junction with a PR® (yellow markings).

(17) Go straight on and follow the wide track, which winds its way in broad bends before reaching the car park at the start (S/E).

Please note: in wet weather, the rocks can be slippery.
Keep dogs on a lead; there are sometimes horses near the Jasse d'Alingri before (17).

(16) You can turn left to visit the orientation table: about 20 mins there and back.