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From the RN 102 towards Villeneuve-de-Berg, head towards Mirabel then Le Pradel. It is also possible to reach the area via Saint-Privat and Lussas.
Park in the visitors’ car park at the Domaine du Pradel. The estate is open to visitors and welcomes walkers and hikers passing through (telephone confirmation dated 29 October 2019).
(S/E) Take the path heading south, which passes to the right of the group of buildings. Walk alongside the mulberry tree nursery on the right. Keep to the right, pass through the large oak trees, then go through the gate leading to the vineyards. Walk straight down to the bottom of the vineyards. The Gazel stream flows below the ravine. Turn left and follow the stream southwards.
(1) At the end of the field, turn right, pass under the viaduct of the old railway line, and head down the tarmac track (note an old stone millstone from the Pradel Mill on your left). Cross the Gazel stream, which flows into the Claduègne coming from the left. Follow the Claduègne on your right, join the road (D258), cross the bridge over the Largentelle stream and head uphill to the next junction.
(2) Pass under the railway line again, turning right onto the Chemin des Bombyx. Continue along this path, turning left at the first junction, then left again at the next junction whilst staying on the tarmac, and finally right before the railway line (still on the Chemin des Bombyx). You’ll reach the ‘Les Bombis’ signpost (likely a corruption of the same name).
(3) Take the farm track on the right, signposted Lavilledieu. At a three-way junction, keep to the right, following the power line and the yellow markers for a gas pipeline. At the next three-way junction, keep to the left, following the yellow markers but leaving the power line behind. After a gentle descent, cross a temporary watercourse, then climb up to the ridge (cedar trees).
(4) Turn right onto the wide, straight track (Chemin de la Crête). When you reach the tarmac, keep to the left and head downhill for about 200 metres, then leave the tarmac at a three-way junction to take the track leading uphill to the right. You will arrive at the ‘Le Chade’ mast.
(5) Head right towards Mirabel and immediately take the wide bend to the right, which leads downhill to the eastern slope of the ridge. Take the first hairpin bend to the left, then the second to the right; follow the protective fence of a water reservoir situated below on the right (sign: ‘No Swimming’), follow the road, and cross a bridge over the Blaches stream. About 100 m after the bridge, a path branches off steeply to the left.
(6) Follow this track, keeping to the right as it climbs at the first three-way junction. Pass a ruin, then a blue 4L on the left. Ignore the turnings to the right and left to reach, with Mirabel in sight, the tarmac road and the newer houses (Chemin de Roussillon). Join the main road (D258) on the right.
(7) Follow the road briefly towards Mirabel, then take the path at the top left which climbs directly up to the village via the Chemin des Aires.
(8) Near the hiking information point, a vaulted passageway leads into the old village. Turn right onto Rue des Arceaux and follow it to the belfry and Place de la Fontaine. Head straight south after the washhouse along the small road (Chemin des Auches). Pass the town hall on your right, then the church, and carry on to the hairpin bend.
(9) At the hairpin bend (hiking signpost), keep to the right and continue down the road to a crossroads (on the right, Chemin de Chambre).
(10) Turn sharply left onto the downhill path (at the bottom, a small, faded wooden arrow-shaped sign on the large oak tree; old yellow and white markings, barely visible). Cross the Gazel stream and head back up towards the south. On the flat stretch, cross straight through the pig farm (a bit smelly…) via the wide path between the fences of the pens. Push open a gate (sign for walkers). Descend the slopes of the Argiolas ravine (Bourdaric stream), where you’ll see a few yellow and white markings.
(11) At the bottom of this descent, lift the gate to pass through it again, then turn left to walk alongside the vineyards on your left, leaving the hamlet of Le Clapier on the other side of the vineyards, and continue descending due south alongside the vineyards. Join the D458.
(12) Take the road on the right as far as the crossroads, then turn left, following the signs for Le Pradel – the same route you took to reach the starting point by road. Continue left along the D458A until you reach (S/E).
, near the pig farm.
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