“Nature” canoe-kayak hike | 35 km 3 days | Le Poujol – Cessenon

Day 1: Poujol-sur- Orb – Tarassac

You gradually navigate between gravel pits and sandy beaches. The Orb takes its time, at least at first. Arrival at the Colombières dam, at the foot of Caroux, first adrenaline sensations, with a 30-meter slide

4 kilometers later, you will see the blue and yellow Tarassac , you arrive at the most maneuverable rapids Stay attentive when passing these “grid” and “mill” rapids, you will lose 10 meters of altitude difference.

300 m later, the rapid from the right bank campsite could surprise you, left bank watch out for the swimmers on the Tarassac campsite beach.

Those who have chosen to spend the night at this campsite stop there (bring paddles and vests back to your tent).

For those who go to the bivouac : another 200 m to go, right bank you will pass the mouth of the Jaur (it is from the Jaur that the EDF releases come). 100 m later, on the left, Tarassac beach where you bivouac.

Day 2: Tarassac – Roquebrun

On the second day, we recommend launching by 9 a.m. at the latest; enjoy the awakening nature.

After a stretch of water , the river separates, go through the rapid on the left (the rapid on the right can be in water if you release EDF)… and you will finish on foot).

3 kilometers after your departure, you pass under the Drouille submersible footbridge. The mountainous landscapes, with large green trees, give way to vineyards and olive trees , but the course of the Orb will be punctuated by rapids.

2 kilometers later you cross the village of Vieussan , passing under its bridge then its footbridge. You will notice on the left bank the water level scale which indicates its submersibility at a height of 5 meters of water or 600m3/s. Impressive, right?

You will admire the Gorges de Vieussan with the cliffs of Camps, a climbing site, and inhabited by beautiful birds of prey. Be careful when driving under the rock, respect the signage. At the exit of the Gorges, pay attention to the rapid on the left, possibility of tie, you will see on the right bank the domain of Razégue, goat breeding – respect the herds.

2 km later you arrive at the village of Ceps with a first rapid to negotiate under the bridge on the left. The course becomes more bucolic but a few rapids might surprise you, the Aqualand and S rapids followed by the hole rapids and its drossage!

You will spend the second night in Roquebrun , the southern gateway to the Haut Languedoc Natural Park. The campsite and the numerous accommodations in the village will allow you to have a good night's sleep.

Day 3: Roquebrun – Cessenon

To avoid the beach on the right bank, reserved for swimmers after the bridge, follow the left bank to pass between the two mills. Fast delicate, feel free to wear.

A series of small rapids takes you to the priest's hole, follow the signs and keep left. Do not go to the right because this rapid is reserved for initiates.

You will arrive after a pretty body of water at the Maynard , keep to the right to cross the slide (on the left is the turbine canal).

After the slide comes a nice rapid up to the difficult square rapid, don't hesitate to carry depending on the water level and you can even surf the small wave at the exit, at the foot of the dam.

On the last kilometers, on the left bank, the Foulon waterfall which supplies Cessenon with drinking water and which sometimes flows in the spring. Then two large bodies of water punctuated by a rapid, the Baous.

You will slide to Cessenon .
You will come across: gray heron, egret, mink and small beaches. When you see the Cessenon tower, you are almost there, the river turns left and at the end of the body of water you will see the metal bridge of Cessenon.

You stop 50m before the left bridge on the campsite beach. Watch out for swimmers.