Saint-Guilhem - Les Besses

(S) Departure from the upper car park (paying) in Saint Guilhem-le-Désert (opposite the car park: toilets, drinking water).
Continue towards the gorges along the Verdus river. Cross it via the small bridge and turn left onto the^GR® marked trail that climbs up the hillside. Continue to the^GR® fork at the Infernet cirque.

(1) Continue straight ahead in the same direction; this is a variant of^{the GR®653}which runs alongside the Verdus. Beautiful view of the cirque. At the end, the path winds its way up a series of low retaining walls and leads to the pine and holm oak undergrowth. Avoid the fork and continue straight ahead to a track in a plantation of young pines. Follow it to the D122.

(2) Follow the road to the Gite du Font du Griffe.

(3) Shortly before the pumping station, take the uphill path and go behind the lodge. Follow the^GR® signs and climb the series of switchbacks to the summit of Mont Saint-Baudille (848m).

(4) Go around the antenna building and head to the orientation table (if the clouds aren't covering the summit).
Descend via the D9E1D road and turn left after about 200 metres, cutting across the hillside. You will rejoin the D9E1D, but the path runs a short distance from the road.

(5) Turn left and cross the road again after one kilometre, then follow the path until you reach the D9.

(6) There are no markings at this point. The owner has even dug trenches across the^GR®, but it is not fenced off. (At Mas du Chabaud). Turn left at the fence, jump over the trench and follow the path as indicated on the map for about two kilometres.
At this point, you will come to a junction with a^GR® marked road^.
Continue to the left along the road for another kilometre or so to reach a crossroads.

(7) Take the small shortcut on the right and then right again to rejoin the^GR®7, which is lined with a stone wall. Climb a little to reach 800 metres, then take the gate on the left opposite the Tedenat sheepfold.

(8) Head into the undergrowth. After a good kilometre of descent, you will reach the exit gate and the small circular pond. Go around it and follow the fences to the village of La Vacquerie.

(9) Turn left until you reach the square (there is a fountain opposite the CAF lodge), then take the road on the right and follow it to the right at the Y junction, then right again 150 metres further on and continue along the path that crosses the plain for a good two kilometres until you reach the D25.

(10) Cross the road and follow the one that leads to Mas de Figuieres, leave the houses behind and continue along the path towards the hamlet of La Barre. Leave the road and take the gate to enter the pasture area. The path disappears a little in the meadow, then climbs slightly into the hills and winds between the boxwood groves. It finally emerges onto a flat meadow bordered by a high wall of an old sheepfold.
A little further down, a gate leads to the D152 E2 and the hamlet of Les Besses (E).

Please note that there are few springs or water sources on the Mont Saint-Baudille route. It is certainly possible to get water at the Lodge du Font de Griffe, but then you have to get to La Vacquerie. Please note that in winter, water sources are closed to prevent them from freezing.
There are not many shelters along the route. It is not easy to find shelter in case of rain: given the mountain range's attraction for low clouds rising from the sea (maritime entrances), it is important to bring effective rain gear: waterproof backpack covers, jackets and overtrousers, ponchos, etc..

The village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, the Infernet cirque and Mont Saint-Baudille offer beautiful views.