Distance: 8,7 km
Duration (average) : 03h
Level: Medium
Elevation: 387 D +
1 reviews

Departure: VIGNEVIEILLE
boucle
Yellow PR
Departure from the dance floor (la Placette). Large circular burns still mark the floor of this Petite Vadrouille. These are not witch circles! But the signs of an intense exploitation of the forest in the past. Your guide: the mule

Walking

BLACK COAL

Your itinerary

VIGNEVIILLE

IGN map reference (s): IGN 2446 West, IGN 2447 OT - Top 25

1

Step 1

From the stone stele, descend to the bridge on the D212 which spans the “l'Orbieu” stream (Perched on a small limestone hillock, the village is built under the shelter of the Cers. In the bed of the river, a dovecote, square foot, is still in good condition).
2

Step 2

Along the Orbieu, take the old cart track on the right, then go up the Candelières stream bordered by low walls and enclosures. (A small ruined sheepfold or Bordette sheltered a few goats and sheep once roaming the patus, a vast communal domain. Coming out of the woods, crossed by a rocky bar resembling the backbone of a dinosaur, you meet the Wild West! semi-open landscape, with soils deeply colored by the rise of iron oxides and other fertilizing bases, called Terra Rossa: the Red Lands where broom, juniper and honey plants grow.
3

Step 3

Cross the forest track for the first time and go up the Fount de l'Espéren stream, dominated by small wooded pechs, Las Candélièros. Here, the Aleppo pine colonizes the land abandoned by oaks after grazing and fires. Always continue to the right. Coming out of a beautiful pine forest, find the forest track, at a place called Las Coutreillados (from the Occitan Cotre, a splitting knife which used to extract the local riches: wood, tannins, resin, etc.). straight for about 50 meters.
4

Step 4

Turn left. Follow the Buet stream and enter the Bois Grand (Massif de Lacamp), where box and oak trees compete for light, in the secret world of charcoal burners! (From the Lauza site, flat stone is extracted, used as a slab or cover for the building. The coalman's lodge is always near a stream to extinguish the start of the fire and to feed animals and mules. The forest thus bears the deep traces of old coal mines: dome of vegetation and circular burns resulting from the combustion of charcoal). About 500 meters further, go up to the right. In a bend, take a round trip to the left (1 km) as far as Soulasses, on a sunny side, to see Durfort located on a rocky outcrop and surrounded by the arms of the Orbieu.
5

Step 5

Then take the forest track to the left, at the foot of Mont St Jean: in the distance, the castle of Termes (on its promontory (altitude 461m) still seems to challenge the 800-year-old Crusade against the Albigenses.
6

Step 6

About 500 meters further, the descent takes an old mule track to the left and offers a view of the village and the deep valley of the Orbieu with the agricultural plot in clear decline. Join the outward route at La Bordette. Finally, take a walk in the village, between alleys and covered passage. The pink marble, from the nearby Pic de Berlès, enriches the municipal heritage: fountain built in 1897, and holy water font placed in the heart of the Romanesque church of Ste Eulalie.

Be careful, the fire risk is often high, especially in summer, and can lead to flower bed closures. Find out before you go consulting the fire risk map for outdoor activities.
Fires strictly prohibited. Do not smoke and never throw cigarette butts in nature. Fires are numerous and catastrophic in our region. In the event of a fire or accident: give alert 18 or 112 from a cell phone.
Protect yourself from the sun and take enough water with you.
Avoid picking flowers and plants. Take all your trash. Close fences and keep dogs on a leash in pasture areas, villages and protected areas.

Mountain bike routes: the routes are often shared with hikers or other users (cars, tractors, etc.). Be careful and always anticipate that a pedestrian may be present around a bend to have time to brake if necessary. Pedestrians have priority in principle, slow down at crossings or stop if the configuration of the terrain requires you to do so.
Thank you and happy hiking!

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Reviews

Barau March 5th, 2022

Everything we were looking for! Calm, nature far from stressful life! We love !

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