MOUSTIERS-SAINTE-MARIE – Le sommet du Montdenier

Cross the road and turn left onto the Mouresse forest track. After 200 m, at the Guiousse crossroads, take direction Mouresse/Saint Jurs, leave the Marignol route on the right, and continue on the track. It crosses, for almost 4 km, the important national forest of Montdenier. After passing above the ruins of Mouresse, the track reaches a basin in the Balène valley and the Saint-Jurs crossroads 500 m further. Leave the slight descent towards the village on the left and join the path a little higher up to the Col de Saint-Jurs.1 – Leave the track and follow the path on the right. After a slight climb under the woods, reach a collar. Leave access to the summit of Agra (1523 m) on the right and continue opposite. The path descends then rises towards the Col de Saint-Jurs. 2 – At the pass, leave the Montdenier track on the right, and continue straight on the forest track for 150 m. Turn right onto the hiking trail heading towards Agra and Montdenier. Join the track a little higher up. Follow it again uphill for approximately 500 m. A post indicates, in the bend, the start of the path going up to the summit of Montdenier. This ascent (300 m difference in altitude, approximately one hour of walking) is done under the pines, then quickly along the rocky ridge of Bougès, through the Montdenier pastures. Go back down the same route to the forest track. 3 – Continue to climb the track to the Col de la Cabane. The track continues slightly downhill on the slopes of Montdenier. Leave a first track on the right and reach a new intersection about 1,5 km away. Go down to the right towards the Marignol farm. After a kilometer, the Marignol and Montdenier routes separate (possibility of reaching the farm located 300 m away; source, shelters). 4 – Follow the track to the right. Pass above the Marignol ravine reservoir and continue on the path, which leads under the pines, towards the valley. At the exit of the woods, the path dominates the plateau. Continue with a long descent on the hillside then join the starting track upstream of the Naverre farm.