Assignan walks

A walk that leads to the ruins of the Saint-Peyre Chapel and then to a curious stone with a hole in it hidden in the heath. (Moderator's note) Please note that there are reported difficulties at the end of the route. See the three comments left since February 2022.

Walk among the clapas.

A loop starting from Saint-Jean-de-Minervois will take you across several streams and to the Church of Saint-Jean de Dieuvaille or the Church of the Trou. Along the way, you will alternate between old paths through the woods and Muscat vineyards. The route is dotted with beautiful views of the Barroubio cliffs. Depending on the season, you may see wild irises, broom, gorse, thyme and holm oaks.

The route offers beautiful, unobstructed views in its first section before winding through the undergrowth towards the river and back up to Coulouma. Information boards provide insights into life in the Camboussels valley, from water management to farming and agriculture. Although not particularly difficult, the walk does require sturdy footwear (stony sections and paths through woodland) and a bit of stamina to climb back up to the hamlet!

From the Moulin de Saint-Chinian to Fonjun.

This route offers beautiful views and allows you to discover the Sentier des Capitelles before reaching the Chapel of Notre-Dame de Nazareth via a Way of the Cross. The return journey follows the GRP®, then unmarked paths in places and a short stretch of road before turning off via the Guitardes plateau, following the Combelongue stream.We recommend using the Visorando app or a hiking GPS.Avoid hiking on hunting days or after heavy rain.

This peaceful walk through the vineyards of Saint-Chinian offers magnificent views of the village and the Grage beyond. Drystone shelters with evocative names, educational panels, Notre-Dame de Nazareth and, in the background, the Avants-Monts ridge and the silhouette of the Caroux massif: it's all here.

Between Saint-Chinian and Assignan, this route follows a GR® de Pays trail to explore woods and vineyards. On the way back, the Combelongue valley offers the chance to discover a "village" of drystone shelters and a plaster mill, now used for grain, which dates from 1854 and was originally used to grind gypsum.

As you follow the course of the Nazoure river through two gorges, Sainte-Foi and, above all, Marie Close.

A short, easy walk. It is partly marked in blue and, in places, in yellow and red. Warning! In summer, temperatures (in the shade) can exceed 35°C and the route is largely exposed. Remember to take plenty of water and apply sun cream. Also, from 15 August onwards, check that a driven hunt is not taking place.

Discover the famous Muscat vineyards of Saint-Jean-de-Minervois. This circuit moves out of the hamlet of Paguignan leading onto the plateau of Saint John and then descends to the Cesse Valley to join Agel and its Castle, which is listed as a Historical Monument. The route then continues in the direction of Cassidy and then reaches the starting point.

Between 55 and 45 million years ago, a warm, shallow sea flooded the older terrain forming the Montagne Noire, covering it with limestone rich in foraminifera (microscopic organisms encased in a calcareous shell). This limestone forms the Causses du Minervois. Rivers flowing down from the Montagne Noire cross these plateaus and carve out narrow valleys: the canyons. This network of canyons is home to numerous karstic caves and caves harbouring ancient traces of human presence and rare animal species. Bats, which inhabit the Grotte de l’Aldène in the Cesse Gorges, the peregrine falcon, the Montagu’s harrier and the red-backed shrike all contribute to the biodiversity of this site. This walk remains on the limestone plateau, amongst vineyards and valleys, and offers an exceptional view of the Brahunal Gorges, a stream that joins the Cessière. See warning in the practical information tab

Walk in the hills above Cebazan.

A short circuit starting from the hamlet of Paguignan will take you through vineyards and woods, passing successively through the hamlets of Cailhol and Vialanove. On the return circuit, there is a protected cave where bats nest. Please note! We recommend using the Visorando app for navigation, and above all, downloading the map before you leave home, as the area will remain a white zone until at least the end of 2022...

Hike on the ridges of Pardailhan at an altitude of around 800m. Loop through pine and chestnut forests with superb views on clear stretches. There are several places on the way where you can stop for a picnic.

Hike dominated by Le Caroux. Walk through vineyards and around mountains amid holm oaks and chestnut trees.

Between Aude and Hérault, this route alternates between flat and steep paths, crossing hills and plateaus between Bize-Minervois and Montouliers. On a balcony overlooking the Cesse valley, via the Travers de Verdeyre, let's set off to discover the Roc Tremblaïre before stopping at Montouliers for a break near its famous Roman fountain. The return journey, following a section ofthe GR®78combined with a Saint-Jacques slip road, allows you to overlook the Argeliers plain before arriving at Bize-Minervois.

A circular loop that takes you alternately through vineyards, heath and undergrowth. All dotted with some beautiful views of the Pyrenees and the Mivervois plain.

Starting from Prades-sur-Vernazobre, this loop passes through the Col du Lac, approaching Berlou and Col de la Maurerie. This is an easy hike with no particular difficulties. There is some shade, but most of the route is on unshaded forest tracks. You will walk through vineyards offering beautiful views, particularly of the Caroux.

An easy, gentle walk. Long path along the hillside and return via the ridge.

This route offers magnificent views. Depart from Bize-Minervois via the D5 departmental road, known as "La Minervoise". Route on tracks through heath, then through pine forests.

This beautiful hike offers stunning views of the Coupiat, Fendaille and Trémenal gorges. The route is fully signposted, presents no major difficulties and can be shortened at various points if necessary.

This hike, at the start of La Caunette, will take you above Minerva and will let you discover the megaliths scattered along the route. You'll criss-cross vines, scrubland composed of gorse, thyme, brush, evergreen oak trees and the odd wood.

Hike in the Haut Languedoc Regional Park in the middle of the Berlou vineyards, which allows you to discover, from the Calisso mountain, the villages of Escagnes, Mézeilles, Le Pin, Roquebrun and Cessenon with the Caroux mountain in the background. Moderator's note: mixed reviews on this hike; see comments at the bottom of this page.

Hike in the Haut Languedoc Regional Park through the Berlou vineyards with the Caroux Massif as a backdrop, allowing you to discover the waterfall on the Rieu Berlou, the orientation table and its botanical trail, and the remarkable viewpoint of the Roc de la Viste overlooking the village of Berlou. This hike around Berlou allows you to return directly to the village at several points.