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Head to Bugarach and park at the cemetery or in the village car park. For directions, see the practical information section.
(S/E) From the cemetery car park, head down the path marked as a dead end (for vehicles).
Yellow markings
Join the Grand Rue and follow it to the right; it then continues as a path to the ford. A beautiful spot. Directional posts.
(1) Head up to the right along a path, keeping to the left bank of the Ruisseau des Caoussanels. Cross a stream, keeping to the left bank. Continue climbing.
(2) Cross the ford of the Ruisseau de la Peyrière and turn right heading due east along the path on the right bank of this stream. You’ll reach a signpost: Pech du Bugarach via the Col du Linas. Continue straight on. Cross the Ruisseau de la Peyrière again, turning right onto a small track heading due south-west, and arrive at a fork. Signpost: Pech du Bugarach via the Col du Linas.
(3) Turn sharply left onto the small track, heading due east. Further on, cross a track suitable for vehicles (frequently used by motorhomes) and climb towards the telecommunications mast. Continue along the path (which was full of flowers when I was there), following a fence and abandoned pastures. You’ll reach a track suitable for vehicles. Signpost: Pech du Bugarach via the Col du Linas.
(4) Follow this direction along the track on the right until you reach a junction of three tracks.
(5) Pass the access to the pass on the right. Continue straight ahead on a small grassy track bordering magnificent, well-maintained meadows. You’ll reach a concrete cross-road. Signpost: Four Verrier. The tiny hamlet of Linas is on the right.
(6) Head up to the left following this direction along this concrete road, which turns into a very stony track. Pass a bend to the right and climb another 150 m. Take care: do not turn left. Signpost: Pas de Capelan, hidden to the left at the start of the path.
(7) Leave the stony track and head left, following this route through the forest along this poorly maintained path, emerging much higher up onto the track you left earlier at elevation 784. Signpost: Pas de Capelan.
(8) Head left, following this direction along this track until the next left-hand bend. Take care: do not turn right. Signpost: Glass furnace on the right at the start of the path.
(9) Turn right, following this direction, and cross the Pas de Capelan. Then descend via a winding path to quickly reach a junction of three paths in the forest. Signpost: Four verrier.
(10) Continue straight on following this direction and descending steeply. Pass an information board about the forest. Continue down a flight of steps made of logs to reach a junction of three paths (not shown on the IGN map). Signpost: Entre sel et verre.
(11) Head straight down, ignoring this signpost, leave the forest and arrive at the archaeological site. A very beautiful, perfectly restored and covered site, with information boards and a picnic table at the far end in the forest. Every year, the Sougraigne association, which restored all these sites, organises a discovery day. See the section: Places to see.
(12) Retrace your steps and, at the corner of the fence, head down to the left to find an old track that was used to bring up all the materials needed for the restoration. (Track shown on the IGN base map but not on the OSM base map). On leaving the forest, take a sharp first turn left then right and rejoin a small track.
(13) Follow it to the left, continuing downhill, until you reach the very quiet D74.
(14) Follow it to the right along the left-hand verge until you reach a right-hand bend with a track to the left and a car park. Another possible starting point for the circular route.
No signposting. Although the IGN base map indicates signposting.
(15) Leave the D74 and follow the track on the left. This is the least interesting part of the circular route. A few clearings do, however, offer views of some lovely scenery. Much further on, ignore the new dirt track leading down to the left. Continue along the track. Much further on, you’ll reach a junction where the track meets footpaths. Signposts on both sides of the track.
Yellow and orangemarkings
(16) Ignore the path climbing to the right towards: Chemins d'Arques. Another signpost on the left: Sougraigne. Head down to the left following the direction for Sougraigne. You’ll reach a fork.
(17) Leave the track to your left. Continue downhill following this direction along the path until you reach a fork. Leave the path to your right. Continue downhill along the path until you reach a fork. Leave a new dirt track heading downhill to the left. Continue along the flat path until you reach another dirt track crossing your path.
(18) Cross it and continue straight ahead on the level path. You’ll reach a crossroads at elevation 487. Ignore the path on the left. Continue straight ahead on the path which descends again to the hamlet. Walk through it to reach the town hall square with its fountain. A lovely spot.
(19) Head down to the right alongside a house, following a path that is gravelly at the start but then becomes beautifully flowered and well-maintained. You’ll come out onto the D74; turn right towards the picnic area (food and drinks available in summer). Another possible starting point for the circular route.
(20) Head back up to the town hall square (or follow the D74).
(19) Continue straight ahead and go down a wide flight of steps to join the D74. Follow it to the left for a few dozen metres.
(21) Head down to the right via Rue du Moulin. Cross the Sals via the bridge. A very beautiful view from the bridge. From this bridge, head steeply uphill via a path. A very beautiful view of Sougraigne. Be sure to follow the small path at the various junctions you encounter. You’ll emerge onto a small track.
(22) Cross it and climb very steeply up into the forest opposite. You’ll reach a fork (alt. 550 m). There’s a Yellow Cross opposite.
(23) Climb steeply to the right along a path and come out onto a wide track. Signpost: directions opposite to the route taken on this circular loop. From this point, the IGN map does not accurately reflect the terrain all the way to the village.
(24) Turn right and continue climbing steeply along the track, which becomes a forest path heading south. Further up, where the gradient eases, you reach La Porteille via a cross-country track (elevation 694 m). Signposts in varying condition.
(25) Cross it, following the direction of Bugarach, and then descend steeply opposite along the forest path. You will arrive opposite a wide electric fence. There is a wooden sign with a Yellow Cross and a yellow line.
(26) First turn left then right and continue down a wider path made of large natural slabs. Much further down, you’ll reach a small, steep road; pass by an inhabited house and return to the original fork.
(1) Carry on straight ahead, crossing the ford. I recommend heading to the village bistro-bar by continuing along the Grand Rue.
Then turn back and head up the track to the right to return to the car park (S/E).
- Continuing along the Grand Rue, you can visit the village and return to the car park via Rue Haute du Village.
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Difficult 
