DRY STONE HUT LOOP

From the Place de Micocouliers in St Pierre des Champs, take the Pradel path that leads to the « Fout dal Fraïche » (Ash spring) by following the Rouanel stream after the bridge on the right. At the end of the path, leave the crossing above the Rouanel and continue on the vicinal path for about 50 m until a triple junction. At this spot, take the westernmost path which allows you to cross a ford (caution! tricky passage during heavy rains) and to follow a vineyard on its North side then on its South side. Then turn left following the markings to ascend the « Chemin de Parets », a bucolic path moistened by a spring resurgence on the upper part of this relief. Then leave the trail at the top of the hill to pass under the Métairie de Parets by following a meadow and then along the passable road leading to the farm but moving away from it by leaving it on the right. The name of this place « Parets » is of Roman origin (paretum) and means walls. You will find a nice small road (access road to Parets) which you will leave on the right to reach the Blaquière dry stone hut and then on the left just before the junction with the departmental road of Talairan. A good trail leads us to the first dry stone hut of the "Plaine de Marc" (leave the trail, follow the sign to the far end of the big field) from where a small footpath joins dry stone hut no. 2 and finally dry stone hut no. 3 at the edge of the trail we left. Above the hamlet of Forodones, a nice viewpoint indicated by a sign, then an excursion takes us on a loop on the other side of the tarmacked road to bypass the hamlet. Follow the marked footpath that leads us back to Pech Saint Martin, a district of St Pierre. A dry stone hut (la Cayrède) is indicated by "Land Art" artworks on the left. Two others await you (round trip to the Vines and the Tougnes) before descending to the Pech St Martin district. All dry stone huts on the route have been restored by Miguel Artigas and his teams of volunteers...