Travel in France – walk at Quissac

posted in: France, Home, Travel | 4

Day 22 of Travel in France was a walk outside Quissac from the Col de Reynard.

Carte de Randonnnee 2841 O
Carte de Randonnnee 2841 O

This walk, a ‘new’ walk, was identified from a signpost on the walk around AiguesBelles. We parked in the Col de Reynard, just outside Quissac, and set off up the hill. Stopping for breath I turned round and the views were amazing – up into the hills of the Cevennes.

Col de Reynard
Col de Reynard
Quissac and beyond
Quissac and beyond
The hills beyond Quissac
The hills beyond Quissac

The radio mast was at the top of the hill and then we followed a path called the Route des Cretes, along a forestry track in an area where the authorities are trying to replant the forests with ine and cedar trees. And there were more wonderful views!

Radio mast

The plains leading to Pic St Loup Pic St Loup
The track led down to Orthoux, a small hamlet with some very smart homes. I hadn’t done my homework and so we missed the frescoes in the Romanesque church, and the remains of a chateau, only glimpsed in a backward photograph (in the header)… And then across the Crieuolon River, past a field of melons, to Les Mazes with views across to another hamlet, Serignan.

The track of the Route des Cretes
The track of the Route des Cretes
Orthous
Orthoux
Crieuolon River
Crieuolon River
Crieuolon River
Crieuolon River
Les Mazes
Les Mazes

After Les Mazes our route-finding went a little astray. We enjoyed a walk around the hillside, in a tunnel of green, but eventually some bundu-bashing was necessary to find the GR63 – we walked the red route, instead of the intended blue route – this is the GR which was part of the walk above Soudorgues.

Path through the Bois Mazes
Path through the Bois Mazes
Path through the Bois Mazes
Path through the Bois Mazes

An extraordinary stone on the path, broken up to show crystals of quartz.

Broken stone with quartz crystals inside

The GR63 in the Crieuolon Valley
The GR63 in the Crieuolon Valley

And alongside the Crieuolon River a water meadow with a hedgerow which could have been in England.

Crieuolon River
Crieuolon River

Looking back towards the Bois Mazes before the final climb to the car.

Looking back to the Bois Mazes

The boots and the feet that covered c100 miles Travel in France!

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4 Responses

  1. 51parmentier

    Dear Candy, Did you receive my most recent email, sent just brfore we left for London? Arrived two days ago, but still a bit jet-lagged. Bill and I are looking forward to seeing you soon. Did you receive my most recent email, sent last week?

    Best, Ellen

    Sent from my iPhone

    >

  2. Laura Bloomsbury

    Candy I can hardly keep up with your perambulations around France but have enjoyed the views and sights you’ve brought back. You must be one fit woman!

    • Candy Blackham

      I am pleased you have enjoyed the sights – they are mainly off the beaten track, and sometimes off the beaten track of blogging too! I certainly feel better after all the walking and fresh air, but ‘fit’ is another matter. I have a herniated disc in my lower back and the walking helps me control pain and strengthen supporting muscles. I also do Pilates with a fantastic teacher, The Pilates Lady.

I would love to hear from you!

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