Saint-Félix de Monceau Abbey

de fr

A lovely walk without any specific difficulties, with views over the vegetation of the Gardiole massif, Mont Saint-Clair and the lakes. Due to the large number of DFCI trails and paths, you can adjust this hike as you wish.

Details

n°232420
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.10 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 171 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 161 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 223 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 111 m
Downloads
Open in the mobile app
Download GPX GPX
Download PDF PDF

Photos

The beauty of the "skeletons"
The vines
The abbey gardens
St Felix de Montceau Abbey

Description of the walk

The hike starts at the Abbey car park.

(S/E) After visiting the abbey and having enjoyed the views out over the lakes, follow the DFCI trail which starts on the left, sloping gently before slowly climbing upwards.

(1) At the fork, follow the path on the right and stay on it until you reach a pass (cistern).

(2) Take the path on the left and follow it up to the next crossroads, ignoring the other paths.

(3) Turn right and continue on the DFCI, ignoring the other paths which branch off here and there, up to the next pass.

(4) At the cistern, don't continue on the DFCI, but instead branch off immediately to the right onto a sloping path, which isn't very visible from the main path. Take the opportunity to have a look at the cave, to the right of the tank (20m of narrow galleries).
Go downhill until you reach a dry stream, then climb back up on the steep path opposite. Continue onwards, ignoring the different paths branching off on the left, until you re-join the path you started on, after the first pass. Head to the left and re-join the pass and the cistern.

(2) Continue on the path opposite which you took on the outward leg. Ignore the path on the right, 100m after the pass, and continue on until you see a second path branching off on the left. Turn left, passing in front of one of the dry stone huts which you find in this area (5) and return to the Abbey car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 156 m - Car park at Saint-Felix de Montceau Abbey
  2. 1 : km 0.79 - alt. 204 m - Fork, continue right
  3. 2 : km 1.39 - alt. 223 m - Crossroads, tank, keep left
  4. 3 : km 2.13 - alt. 218 m - Crossroads, follow DFCI to the right
  5. 4 : km 4.44 - alt. 143 m - Pass, cistern, take the faint path to the right
  6. 5 : km 6.99 - alt. 160 m - Drystone shelter
  7. S/E : km 7.1 - alt. 157 m - Car park at Saint-Felix de Montceau Abbey

Notes

Not many shady places on this walk - avoid in hot weather.

(2) If you'd prefer to leave the DFCI track for a bit, you can cut some sections out by taking the path on the right 100m after the pass. Go past point (1) again and return to the departure point.

Worth a visit

Abbey, caves, panoramic views over the lakes, Sète and Mont Saint-Clair.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 93 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
Tas
Tas

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful views, but it's a shame that there's a major forest road between points 2 and 4.

Machine-translated

Guigui3450
Guigui3450

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Perfect in winter because there is no shade
Views almost all the way
Very easy (wide forest fire road, gentle slope). Just one slightly steep climb at the 2/3 mark, but it's not long
The cave is a nice bonus. Be sure to bring a torch as it is very dark

Machine-translated

User 20387286

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant walk with beautiful views.

Machine-translated

MaryS
MaryS

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Although the lack of shade in temperatures of at least 35°C and the steep path towards the end of the walk were quite a challenge for me, I still enjoyed it. It's beautiful, with some great views. Even the blackened trees (was there a fire last year?) add something strangely beautiful to the landscape.

It may be obvious to others (?!), but at number 4 in the details of this walk, it says: "...turn off... onto a path that is not very visible from the main road." That's correct, but as it also mentions a cave at that point, I chose the path that more or less passed in front of it. I eventually arrived at the dry river, but the steep path wasn't opposite! It wasn't difficult to find the right path, but...! If you're like me, it's best to keep an eye on the little blue bubble on your GPS when you're going downhill!

All in all, a lovely afternoon!

Machine-translated

DAANT
DAANT
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We do it regularly at different times of the year, and it's always as beautiful as ever. We recommend you do it in April, when nature is waking up - you'll come back with wonderful colours in your eyes and in your head.
There are no major difficulties, just a slightly tricky climb of around 110 m over 400 to 500 m, but if you take it slowly and take a short break halfway up, you'll be rewarded with a magnificent view at the summit.
So take heart and enjoy the walk.

Machine-translated

Sylviane lannoy
Sylviane lannoy

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Apart from a fairly difficult climb, the route is very pleasant, with some very nice spots with views over Sète and the Etang de Thau.

Machine-translated

Loumès
Loumès

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route

Machine-translated

pascal.forbin
pascal.forbin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

It's a lovely walk with lovely views of the sea and the ponds; the climb back up after descending the cistern is pretty tough!

Machine-translated

NinaBlnd
NinaBlnd

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Easy route, with a beautiful abbey to visit. The advantage of the Guardiole massif here is that there are plenty of other paths, so it's easy to extend/add loops if you want to make your walk longer. The only slightly technical part is a fairly steep, scree slope that climbs steeply just after the cistern and the cave, so watch your ankles! And in summer, NO SHADOWS!

Machine-translated

Francine84
Francine84

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant hike with great views. Unfortunately, for much of the route, the Gardiole massif was badly damaged by the fire on 18 August. The grotte au point (4) is now very visible because all the heath has burnt down around it.
A pretty drystone shelter built into a wall at the point (5) . There is another easily accessible one just below.
Thanks for sharing.

Machine-translated

Olivier TGV
Olivier TGV

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A hike offering beautiful views, whether of the abbey of saint Félix de monceau, mont saint baudille, the coast with the old salt pans of Frontignan and Sète.
There's just one ascent between km 4.7 and 5.2, which in the summer temperatures of July 2024 alone merits a very difficult rating 🥵
With the app no problem following the route.

Machine-translated

Paccou
Paccou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy route, beautiful scenery Frontignan, the lakes, Sète, Pic Saint Loup, ...

Machine-translated

mariepistache
mariepistache

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk, profusion of magnificent flowers (end of May), no difficulty following the GPS track.

Machine-translated

Restor
Restor

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely trail with magnificent views to do in spring. Chemins caillouteux Iris et fleurs avaient poussés après la pluie belle rando

Machine-translated

Marcheur83
Marcheur83
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

This walk, with its views so typical of the region near Montpellier, is a beautiful "snapshot" of unspoilt heath countryside, within easy reach of everyone, and gives access to an area equipped with several circuits. The monument, the abbey of Saint Félix de Monceau, has been restored and preserved by associations, and is a magnificent vestige undergoing restoration work. It is not open to visitors, however, but the building, gardens and surrounding ruins have plenty of character, and should be seen before or after your walk. The route is easy, interesting and well signposted. Beware of the many crossroads. Recommended for the change of scenery, the fresh air and the views of the hinterland and/or the lakes and sea. The only downside is that the damp ground is slippery, so avoid it in the summer sunshine. Sincerely

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

Walking Gardiole Massif

Visorando member
Massif de la Gardiole
↔21.21 km ↗+642 m ↘-640 m ◔7h 55 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Gigean (Hérault)
This hike will allow you to discover the most beautiful landscapes of the Gardiole massif. Starting from the Abbey of Saint-Félix de Monceau, you will enjoy a superb view of the Mediterranean, from La Grande Motte in the north to Sète in the south. You will pass by the Pioch Noir and the Roc d'Anduze, two unmissable viewpoints of the Gardiole massif. This hike may be prohibited depending on the fire risk level. Remember to check the map.

Walking Le Pioch Noir de la Gardiole from Gigean

Association / Club / Walk leader
Le Pioch Noir de la Gardiole au départ de Gigean
↔14.78 km ↗+304 m ↘-302 m ◔5h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Gigean (Hérault)
This is a pleasant hike in the Gardiole area, starting from Gigean. You will discover various remarkable viewpoints and beautiful panoramas. To the west, you can see the wind turbines of Villeveyrac and to the east, at Pioch Noir, there is a breathtaking view of the ponds and the sea in the distance. This hike takes place on beautiful tracks often lined with pine and holm oak trees. This hike may be closed depending on the fire risk level. Remember to check the map.

Walking Gardiole Sud - la Devèse

Visorando member
Gardiole Sud - la Devèse
↔10.74 km ↗+344 m ↘-340 m ◔4h 05 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Balaruc-le-Vieux (Hérault)
As you climb up to Roc d'Anduze, this hike offers wide panoramic views to the north-west over the Étang de Thau, all the villages in the valley and beautiful views of the Abbey of Saint-Félix de Monceau. At the highest point of the Gardiole massif, there is a magnificent 360° view. The circuit then heads towards the summit of the Devèse along ridge trails, offering multiple panoramic views of the sea, Frontignan, Sète, Balaruc, the Étang de Thau and... the Canigou. This hike may be closed depending on the fire risk level. Remember to check the map.

Walking Pioch Michel and Pioch Madame, two peaks offering panoramic views

Visorando member
Pioch Michel et Pioch Madame, deux sommets pour le panorama
↔4.30 km ↗+110 m ↘-108 m ◔1h 30 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Frontignan (Hérault)
Two peaks in the Gardiole range offering views of the Gulf of Lyon. From the summit of Pioch Madame, you can see La Grande Motte and the summit of Pioch Michel, with unobstructed 360° views. To the north-east, you can see Villeneuve-les-Maguelonnes and La Grande-Motte; to the east, you can see the Espiguette lighthouse; to the south-west, the Sète mountain and the Étang de Thau; and to the north, La Gardiole. If the sky is clear, you can even see the Pyrenees. This hike may be prohibited depending on the fire risk level. Remember to check the map.

Walking From Frontignan to Roc d'Anduze

Visorando member
De Frontignan au Roc d'Anduze
↔14.58 km ↗+390 m ↘-386 m ◔5h 15 ▲Moderate
⚑Departure from Frontignan (Hérault)
On the outskirts of Frontignan, this varied route takes you along tracks and paths to climb up to Roc d'Anduze, the highest point of the Gardiole. It offers beautiful views of the different sides of the mountain, from the coastline and its salt marshes to the hills of La Moure, via the Bassin de Thau.

Walking Les Balcons de Thau - Dumbo's Head Tour

Visorando member
Les balcons de Thau - Circuit de la tête de Dumbo
↔6.96 km ↗+128 m ↘-124 m ◔2h 20 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Frontignan (Hérault)
This route offers views over Frontignan on the sea side, as well as Sète and the Bassin de Thau with its oyster beds. The trail is well marked (yellow rectangle). It is not the most beautiful route in the Gardiole mountains due to the presence of high-voltage power lines and the Frontignan oil depot, but it allows you to cross from the sea side to the lake side in a short distance and enjoy a unique view of the Frontignan Muscat vineyards as you walk through the heath.

Walking The Gardiole mountains and the national forest

Visorando member
Les montagnes de la Gardiole et la forêt domaniale
↔19.07 km ↗+412 m ↘-412 m ◔6h 40 ▲Difficult
⚑Departure from Fabrègues (Hérault)
The Gardiole mountains: Pioch Noir (216 m), Pioch de Camille (224 m), Roc d'Anduze (234 m), Peyre Plantade (160 m), Rulet et Cabanes (140 m), Pioch Redonel (129 m) and other mountain passes offer a fairly comprehensive view of the four cardinal points. They offer a sublime panorama of the mountains and valleys across the entire perimeter. The views are remarkable. It is impossible to leave without taking with you what nature has to offer. This hike may be prohibited depending on the level of fire risk. Remember to check the map.

Walking The drystone shelters of La Moure

Visorando member
Les capitelles de la Moure
↔5.13 km ↗+108 m ↘-99 m ◔1h 45 ▲Easy
⚑Departure from Poussan (Hérault)
This very pleasant and easy hike offers a journey back in time to the heart of the Moure massif. Allowing you to discover the exceptional heritage hidden in the Hérault heath, this circuit of just over 5 km offers a high concentration of perfectly restored traditional buildings. A dozen drystone shelters and other buildings can be seen along the route.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.