The Megaliths of Minerve

Starting from the Caunette, beautiful scenery along the Cesse. I can confirm that the footbridge has been reopened and the stream below is magnificent. The path that follows is pleasant up to the track near Mayrannes. The walk around Mont Redon is interesting, with fine views of the Pyrenees, but the megaliths are a disappointment: 3 or 4 small stones planted with no interest other than their history. The climb to the highest point is fairly monotonous, with no viewpoints through the dense heath. From the highest point, the descent to Minerve is very clear, with superb views, and is rewarded with a view of Minerve and its vertiginous cliffs. The return to La Caunette is also interesting, with the crossing of Mayrannes and its friendly inhabitants.

Automatically translated

The route is not easy once you reach Mont-Redon. Interesting route over the first and last few kilometres.

Automatically translated

A very pleasant walk with superb views. The megaliths are not easy to find. Found 2 out of 3. Cairns would make it easier to find them. Avoid high temperatures. Very little shade.

Automatically translated

Good walk under blue skies and a temperature of 10°C.
Only two drawbacks: found 2 out of 3 stones and missed the view at point 6 because we were expecting a real hunter's blind, like a miniature Eiffel Tower, which turned out to be just an orange mark on a boulder.

Automatically translated

the descent to Minerve offers some fine views but the climb is long, on a wide track, with little interest other than the descent that follows

Automatically translated

A fine walk despite the heat, with beautiful views of the mountains and the village of Minerve.

Automatically translated

A beautiful route with the scents of the heath very present and pleasant. Minerve remains a magical place...

Automatically translated

Lovely hike with a superb view of Minerve, beware of the bridge you have to cross, it lacks a guard rail, especially if you have children, no difficulty following the GPS track, I plan to introduce this route to a few friends;

Automatically translated

On a sunny April day with the first warm spells, we took advantage of the renewal of the flora with its thousand scents.
A varied trail through the heath, with some wonderful views. The scenery on reaching the Brian gorges is truly spectacular. You have two options. Either go down into the gorges to cool off, then climb back up and take time to visit Minerve, or continue on your way. Either way, you won't be disappointed.
Don't forget your hat, sun cream and plenty of water!

Automatically translated

Hello. Very nice walk in grey weather on 11 April 2022. Lovely scenery.
However, the route is poorly signposted for half of it. Need more precise signposting, especially at junctions.
Wasted time finding the route. More vines at point 3.
The VISORANDO application was very useful.

Will do it again when we know the route. Good day to all.

Automatically translated

We left on 24 January 2022 to visit the Mégalithes de Minerve. We arrived safely at the cemetery car park at La Caunette. After starting the walk on the tarmac path of Les Crozes, we took the circuit: Le Causse. Why did we do this? There were no signs or tracks at point 1 for the Megaliths trail.
On the other hand, the route from the Causse to the Caunette is very beautiful. Highly recommended. 14.5 km in 4 hours.

We'll be back in a few weeks to do the Mégalithes trail.

Automatically translated

Superb viewpoint!
Accessible to children aged 6 and over in my case!

Automatically translated

A very nice route with beautiful views of the Brian gorges and Minerve at the end;
A variant (which I didn't do, but which I had done on another route) might have been to take the GR at Courounelle (a little after point 8), then leave it fairly quickly to turn left into the Brian gorge, cross the mill bridge, then climb up under the fortifications of Minerve, cross Minerve and take the proposed route again, passing the well and the catapult.
There is a lovely spot for a picnic around point 8, on the edge of the track, with a shrub and a large flat rock on the left, half in the shade and half in the sun, with a view of the Pyrenees.
Be careful after point 3, the vine has been uprooted, but you can easily find the rest of the route (points 4 and 5) by keeping to the left of the former vine, and you'll find a path that leads quietly back to the track.
Many thanks to the author.

Automatically translated

A lovely walk on a windless winter's day! Magnificent views of the snow-covered Pyrenees and the gorges... much more interesting than the megaliths! As for the grapevine marker in the description, it has been torn up, but that doesn't pose a problem for finding your way around Mont Redon.
On the way back, it's also worth taking a quarter of an hour to explore the narrow streets of La Caunette, with its houses set against the mini cliffs, via the porch opposite the Café de la Place (unfortunately closed for the holidays).

Automatically translated

Hiking circuit on 7/03, 4 hours on foot, at the limit of my comfort zone in terms of time/level difference, don't laugh... The route is almost desert-like at this time of year. Lovely trail sections alternated with (too) wide paths and ankle-breaking off-piste sections... A real hike...
As for the megaliths, you'll need more documentation to spot them, as they're not spectacular in a postcard sort of way, but then again, you're not on a bus. As for the botany, the dwarf irises are in full bloom, the asphodels are beginning to appear, and the orchids are short between the spiders and the woodcock.
The view over the valleys and Minerve is very beautiful, and I would recommend this area overall.

Automatically translated