Saint-Christol and Mas Cagnet from Salazac

Park in the car park at the village entrance if you’re coming from Pont-Saint-Esprit; drive round the ramparts if you’re coming from Bagnols-sur-Cèze. You’ll be able to top up your water supplies as you head towards the church (which you’ll clearly see on your right).

(S/E) Set off along the D141, passing in front of the church. When you reach Chemin de la Peyrigouse, turn right onto this road, which slopes down slightly.

(1) About a hundred metres further on, turn left onto the path leading down into the forest (yellow markings). Follow the path and the yellow markings through the forest, which descends to the Valat de Saint-Christol stream and climbs back up to the edge of Saint-Christol-de-Rodières.

(2): Take the tarmac road on the left and turn right when you reach the D180. After a few hundred metres, you’ll pass the town hall and then come to a sign and a small road leading uphill to the left; take this. You’ll arrive at the church square, where there is a bookcase and running water.

(3) Leave the church on your right and turn left. The road slopes down slightly. At a fork, the road turns right and a path lies straight ahead of you (yellow markings). Take this path and follow the yellow markings. This means you’ll pass a path further on that branches off to the right. The path climbs up to a signpost marked ‘la Coste’.

(4) Turn left (hairpin bend) and follow this lovely path uphill until you reach a wide, stony DFCI track. Continue straight on, still following the yellow markings. A lovely view will open up on your left, towards Salazac and the Rhône valley.

(5) Leave the main DFCI track, which continues straight on, and follow the yellow markings by taking the wide path on the left. Make sure you stay on the yellow markings (if in doubt, keep to the left at junctions).

(6) At the Plumet sign, follow the signs for Cornillon straight ahead. About a hundred metres further down, at Fond d’Agas, turn left towards Salazac. The path winds its way down until it rejoins the road (ignore the paths on your right to stay on the yellow markings).

(7) Cross the road carefully, heading straight ahead, slightly to your left (the ‘Mas Cagnet’ sign is clearly visible). You will then climb a slope, first on tarmac and then on a dirt track which eventually turns into a stony path. Make sure you stay on the main path following the yellow markings. You will pass Mas Cagnet fairly quickly and, further on, Mas Gravil.

(8) At the junction for Le Paty, carry on straight ahead, rejoining the tarmac road and heading towards the village of Salazac. Walk up Rue des Remparts until you reach a house with green shutters; turn right just before you pass it. You will then pass through a small village square; turn left at the far end of the square. You will find yourself facing Salazac’s distinctive church (usually open during the day – its stained-glass windows are well worth a detour). After passing the church, exit the ramparts; you will then be facing the car park (S/E).

Drinking water is available at two points in Salazac (near the car park and near the town hall, where there are also toilets that are not accessible to people with reduced mobility).
You will find places to swap books at the Salazac washhouse and near the church in Saint-Christol-de-Rodières.

The church in Salazac has rather unusual architecture, with its flat roof and stained-glass windows made by a local craftsman – well worth a quick look.
There are a few local producers in Salazac:
- herbal teas and oil at Mas Gravil (on the way back)
- honey near the town hall square (on the way back, turn left immediately at the fountain).

You’re not far from Accroche Aventure (in Saint Julien de Peyrolas) or the Ardèche.