The treasures of Les Caunes in the Massif de la Clape

Narbonne towards Gruissan. At the large roundabout at the entrance to Gruissan, located at the foot of the lake, take the D332 towards Narbonne Plage. 200 m further on, turn right (to turn left safely) towards Chapelle des Auzils. The car park is 1250 m further on, on the left, marked by a fire hazard sign and a small wooden sign saying "Gruissan climbing site...Les Caunes..."

(S/E) From the left of the car park, at the foot of the wooden sign, head north-west, bearing 320° towards a scree slope.

(1) Just before the scree slope, take the path on the left towards the climbing cliff. Climb up and follow the cliff for about 150 m, passing in front of cave G1, which is strangely often overlooked. If you see a small cave 15 m above you, you have gone too far. Visit G1 and then retrace your steps.

(1) Before the path that leads back to the car park, climb up as if to go around the cliff. This is the path used by climbers to get between the top and bottom of the cliff. Climb to the top.

(2) Take the path on the left and reach the next crossroads.

(3) Turn left again, ignoring the paths to the right that run along the cliff, and follow the path for 400 m to a pretty hunting post.

(4) At this point, a fault line descends from the ridge. Descend to the foot of the cliff. At the foot of the cliff, continue to the right and follow the cliff for 400 m, passing in front of the G2 cave. At the sign saying "No climbing and danger of walking along the cliff", descend to the path 80 m below.

(5) When you reach the bottom, turn right and continue straight ahead until you see the Grotte de la Crouzade cave on the heights to your right.

(6) Leave the path that leads up to it (you will take this on the way back) and continue straight ahead until you reach the small Gorge du Rec, secured by a chain.

(7) At the end of the safety chain, take the path that climbs up to the left, almost making a U-turn. Follow this path and, after about 300 m, ignore a path leading off to the right. Continue straight ahead along the cliff for 300 m until you reach a colourful hunting post.

(8) Continue for another 50 metres to see the tip of the cliff. There, turn right to rejoin the main path 50 metres away. Descend from the plateau by turning left and continue straight ahead (200 metres) to the ruins of a sheepfold. At the crossroads by the ruined sheepfold, take the path on the left for 400 metres, skirting the cliff at the bottom and always keeping to the left.
When the vineyard on the right is protected by a wire fence, you will come to a small pine tree clearing, then continue for 50 m to a path that seems to go uphill along a low wall.

(9) Take this path for a round trip to cave G3, if you wish (there is no clear path leading to the cave).

(9) On your return from the cave, continue straight ahead until you reach the bottom of the Combe du Rec. At the bottom, cross the stream until you find the path you took on the way there, which runs alongside the stream.

(5) Continue left on the path you took earlier, straight ahead until you see the Grotte de la Crouzade cave on the heights to your right.

(6) When you reach the foot of the large cave, climb up the scree to see it (entrance blocked). Leave the cave by heading left along the cliff, then climb up the scree, staying as close as possible to the cliff on your right. Pass in front of the small Crouzade cave.

Climb to the top, where, 2 m to the left, you may find a faint path leading east/southeast (towards the sea). In any case, continue straight ahead in this direction. After 100 m, you will arrive at the Gouffre de la Crouzade.

(10) Then continue straight towards the sea (invisible path) to find the path you took earlier that runs along the cliff, about 150 metres away.

(3) Take the path to the left, walk along the cliff for about 200 metres and you will reach a fork.

(2) Continue straight ahead and leave the route you have already taken, ignoring all the paths leading to the left.

(11) Towards the end of the cliff, at a fork, take the most marked path that descends to the right.
When you reach the bottom, immediately turn onto the path on the right. Do not take the path on the right or the road. Find this path 20 m above the path, which branches off to the right, parallel to the path (at the foot of an old scout teepee).

Only this path leads to an interesting ruin, which could be a drinking trough or thermal baths. Return to the centre, at the bottom of this ruin, and take the path that descends and leads just above the starting car park (S/E).

Taking into account visits to caves, panoramic views, trail identification, climbing scree slopes, etc., allow 4 hours for the hike.

Warnings:
- During hunting season, make sure you are visible! Consider wearing a fluorescent vest from your car.
- For your own safety: no sandals, etc., as the terrain is very rocky!
- 70% of the hike is in the sun, with some elevation gain: protect yourself. Do not set off without water!
- Bring a walking stick in case of a sprained ankle, to keep aggressive dogs at bay, etc.
- Use the stick to clear away any spider webs.
- Route feasible in strong winds.
- The cliffs are sometimes skirted at the foot, with caves to visit and scree slopes to climb or descend: for safety reasons, it is advisable to wear a helmet, such as a climbing, mountain biking, kayaking, rollerblading or construction helmet, etc.
- At the foot of the Caunes climbing cliff, climbers often have dogs. Some are calm, but others think they can guard the equipment on the ground and are not at all friendly: be vigilant when the owners are not on the ground.
- Caves G1 and G2: nothing to report.
- Rec Canyon: if there is a lot of water, the path merges with the stream bed for about a hundred metres, and it will be difficult to avoid getting your soles wet. But the Rec is often dry.
- Petite Gorge du Rec: a chain secures the passage; the first 10 metres are the narrowest, so be careful.
- Mountain biking is possible between the exit of the Petite Gorge du Rec and the return to the Canyon du Rec. Make sure you are visible and audible where you cannot be seen from a distance.
- G3 Cave Not very difficult to reach: be careful of loose stones underfoot. Dead tree branches in strong winds.
- Petite Crouzade Cave: nothing to report.
- Gouffre de la Crouzade: impossible to miss or fall into without seeing it. Be careful in strong winds (which can become surprisingly violent on the Caunes plateau) so you don't fall in when caught in a gust. Rock falls if you go down there.

- Mobile phone reception is not available everywhere in La Clape. Be extra vigilant if you are alone.
- In very dry conditions, if the Tramontane wind picks up, the massif is closed. Check before you go.

You should be able to ensure your own safety by exercising normal caution.

- Cave G1: the entrance is large and clearly visible. Inside, chimneys provide plenty of light. One of the most beautiful caves in La Clape. Other caves on this section of the cliff are only accessible via climbing routes.

- Cave G2: a beautiful little cave. The access is steep but not difficult.

- Petite Gorge du Rec: splendid when wet, but often dry in summer. Steep section equipped with a chain.

- Cave G3: a beautiful little cave with a small arch on the side, located at the foot of the cliff, in the shade with a splendid view of the sea. A dream spot for a quick snack break. There is no path leading to it, so you have to climb up and down almost vertically from the altitude mentioned on the route, making your way through moderately dense vegetation. It is a little steep, so be careful of falls, falling rocks towards your friend below, and falling branches from the many dead trees here if the wind is strong.

- Grande grotte de la Crouzade: two large openings. Huge inside but access is blocked.

- Petite grotte de la Crouzade: small and cute. Relieves the frustration of not being able to access the large cave.

- Gouffre de la Crouzade: I advise against going down there, because apart from falling rocks, there is nothing to do or see. But the curious and determined will try to go down at all costs. So it's best to be informed.
Enter the chasm from the south-east point (sea side). There is a one-metre step that can be descended and ascended without difficulty. The descent is steeper than it appears and rocks fall towards friends below. At the bottom, be careful, there is a step hidden in the vegetation, 1.5 to 2 metres long. I did not cross this step because it is located 3 metres from the foot of the crumbling cliff, and it is likely that this bottom is sometimes filled with water. There is not much to see or do here, and it is not even beautiful. There is no access to the large Crouzade caves from the bottom of the chasm, although it is said that in strong winds, you can feel the air passing through tiny cracks coming from the large Crouzade cave. Above all, beware of falling rocks.