Around the Gardiole Massif via Montceau Abbey and Pioch Camille

The Gardiole Massif surprises visitors with its rich plant and animal biodiversity, in an area where pastoral activities once flourished. Set off to explore these ancient places in remembrance of times gone by. Pass through Combe Fourche, the Chemin de la Jasse des Chèvres, the Muscat vineyard-covered slopes, the Roc d’Anduze and its promontory, the Crêtes de Saint-Félix, Monceau Abbey, Rulets and Cabanes, and Pioch de Camille with its panoramic views, before finishing on the discovery trail.

This walk may be closed depending on the fire risk level. Please check the map.

Details

23550651
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.59 mi
  • ◔
    Duration according to the author: 10 hrs 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Very difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,047 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,070 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 764 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 30 ft
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Fabrègues (34690)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.515775° / E 3.769479°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2645ET, 2743ET
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

To reach the start point, take the D114, which links Vic-la-Gardiole to Cournonterral. Halfway between the two main roads, at the highest point, park in the space marked ‘P’ at the ‘Parking de la Tortue’ in its southern section (at the entrance to the nature trail), in the Gardiole State Forest, not far from the Bergerie de Saumade.

(S/E) Leave the car park heading south-east, take the path, walk 700 m until you reach a junction.
Turn left, reach a fork and turn right at a 90° angle, heading south-east. Avoid all other exits and, from the 64-metre mark, proceed to a section.

(1) Turn right onto a descending path heading south-west, cross two streams, continue uphill, then reach a cistern and a crossroads.

(2) Cross the track, take the left-hand track heading south-east, proceed along the “Combe Fourche” summit section and, at elevation 87, reach a section.
Turn right and pass a power line and its pylon. Stay on the path, avoiding all side tracks, and reach a crossroads at the bridge. Continue uphill and reach a three-way junction.

(3) Keep left, pass the 52-metre mark and continue downhill. Walk past the water reservoirs on your right, then follow the winding path to a junction.

(4) Turn right and start the steep climb. Walk past the vineyard on your left, reach a bend after a climb, and rejoin the path.

(5) Turn left and keep left, round a bend and reach a three-way junction. Walk left, heading south-west to south, along the track known as Chemin de la Jasse aux Chèvres, cross through copses and two streams over arid vegetation, walk past houses on your left, then rejoin a path.
Turn right (Chemin des Bois Communaux); after a climb, reach a junction.

(6) Turn left, heading west, cross a vineyard and reach a junction with three closely spaced paths. Continue straight on uphill, skirting the vineyards on your right, avoiding all paths to the left, and at the corner of the field reach a junction.

(7) Cross the earth mound and reach a Fork in the road. Head left, keeping the vineyards on your left, cross through the undergrowth and, at a bend, reach a junction (towards the vineyards). Continue right up the hill, then, at a bend, reach another Fork in the road. Turn left, take a 90° right-hand bend and rejoin the route.
Warning: in this section, the map does not correspond to the terrain; follow the directions.

(8) Turn left, continue along a right-hand bend, avoid all left-hand turn-offs, and reach a crossroads further up the slope. Turn left heading north-west, follow a straight stretch from the 219-metre contour line and arrive at a three-way junction.
Turn right, reach a three-way junction, then turn left heading west. Join the DFCI track.
Warning: in this area, the map does not correspond to the terrain; follow the directions provided.

(9) Take the track opposite on thePR® (yellow markings) between two trees, heading south-west. Continue along a long straight stretch, avoiding all side paths, then finish with a descent and rejoin the track.

(10) Turn right; at elevation 145, you’ll come to a water tank and the crossroads. Take the path leading uphill at the cross and its memorial stone, climb a rocky slope, and cross the summit of Le Mouchas.
At the 196-metre mark, continue straight on and, at a right-hand bend, come to a section of track.
Carry on, cross the 166-metre mark and a steep descent, cross a stream and then join the path. Turn right and come to a section.

(11) Switch to the track below, cross a stream and pass under the high-voltage power lines, then head uphill to reach a junction.

(12) Take the track opposite, reach the 54-metre contour line, climb up through Les Molières, avoid the turn-offs and reach a section.

(13) Turn right onto the track, follow the power line and pylon, keep the path on your left, pass the power lines and reach a path. Turn left, then head towards the cistern and the junction.

(14) Turn right onto thePR® path (yellow markers), cross the Bois du Moulin de Faivre, follow the Roc de l’Aigle and reach a crossroads.

(15) Continue along thePR® path (yellow signposts) to the right round the bend (elevation 190), avoiding all side paths, until you reach a section of track.

(16) Turn left onto the ascending track and, via a round trip, head to the Roc d’Anduze. Return along the track in the opposite direction and rejoin thePR® path (yellow signpost).

(16) On your return, turn left heading north and reach a three-way junction.

(17) Turn left onto thePR® path (yellow signposts), avoid all side paths and continue to a fork in the path.

(18) Turn left downhill and head towards a Fork in the road.

(19) Turn left, follow thePR® (yellow markings), walk alongside a low wall on your right and emerge onto the DFCI path.

(20) Turn left downhill, pass the Abbaye de Monceau on your right and join the road. Continue along it, avoiding all turn-offs, until you reach a junction.

(21) Turn right, continuing uphill; avoid the turn-off to the left and reach a three-way junction. Turn right, head for the 160-metre mark and a section.

(22) Turn left downhill, heading north-east. Keep to the left-hand side, passing Rulets and Cabanes; avoid all turn-offs to the right and the last one to the left, then reach a stream. Turn left, follow the stream and, at the signpost, reach a crossroads.
Turn right uphill onto thePR® (yellow markings), pass under a power line and, from the 117-metre mark, reach a three-way junction.

(23) Turn right heading east to north-east, stay on thePR® (yellow markings), follow a dry stone wall, avoid the turn-offs and join a path. Turn left onto thePR® path (yellow markings) and reach a crossroads. Turn right onto thePR® path (yellow markings) and reach a three-way junction in the path on a small copse.
Keep left and, after 100 m, you’ll reach a section of track. Continue, cross a stream, follow the power line on your right, cross it via another stream, then reach the 127-metre contour and its crossroads.

(24) Continue along thePR® path (yellow markings), cross the power line whilst turning right, then, at a bend, reach the junction. Turn left uphill onto thePR® path (yellow markings) and reach a section. Continue left along thePR® path (yellow markings) and reach the junction. Keep to the right and, at the bend, you’ll come to several turn-offs. Continue uphill along thePR® path (yellow markers) until you reach a path crossing.

(25) Turn left, go round the 221-metre hill on the left, avoid the left-hand turn-offs, cross an open area running south-east to east at the bend, then reach the junction.

(26) Turn left onto thePR® path (yellow markers), pass the power line and its pylon, go round a fire brigade barrier and reach the Gué de Pioch Camille Tower. Turn round, retrace your steps along the same route and return to the junction.

(26) Continue to the crossroads opposite the cistern and turn left downhill onto thePR® path (yellow markings). Walk along the right-hand side of the Combe de l’Arbousier, ignoring the offshoots, and rejoin the main path. Turn right onto thePR® path (yellow markings) and stay on it until you reach a Fork in the road.

(27) Turn left, leaving thePR® path, cross a side track, head into the woodland along the north-bound track and reach a junction. Turn right onto the path leading to the Bergerie de Saumade and the square.

(28) Take thesecond exit on the right, continue downhill, cross a stream, reach the electricity pylon and arrive at the junction. Turn right, follow the road and the woodland path to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 272 ft - La Tortue car park near the D114
  2. 1 : mi 0.76 - alt. 213 ft - Junction
  3. 2 : mi 1.4 - alt. 397 ft - Carrefour – Citerne
  4. 3 : mi 2.3 - alt. 171 ft - Three-way junction
  5. 4 : mi 2.79 - alt. 36 ft - Junction
  6. 5 : mi 3.28 - alt. 157 ft - Section
  7. 6 : mi 4.29 - alt. 197 ft - Junction
  8. 7 : mi 4.81 - alt. 420 ft - Junction
  9. 8 : mi 5.19 - alt. 610 ft - Section
  10. 9 : mi 5.53 - alt. 709 ft - Junction
  11. 10 : mi 6.5 - alt. 472 ft - Path
  12. 11 : mi 7.44 - alt. 367 ft - Section
  13. 12 : mi 7.99 - alt. 180 ft - Crossroads
  14. 13 : mi 8.17 - alt. 308 ft - Section
  15. 14 : mi 8.66 - alt. 377 ft - Crossroads
  16. 15 : mi 9.61 - alt. 620 ft - Crossroads
  17. 16 : mi 10.04 - alt. 735 ft - Section. View of the oyster beds at Bouzigues
  18. 17 : mi 10.45 - alt. 732 ft - Three-Way Junction
  19. 18 : mi 10.68 - alt. 699 ft - Junction
  20. 19 : mi 10.78 - alt. 597 ft - Fork in the road
  21. 20 : mi 10.92 - alt. 512 ft - On the left. - Abbaye Saint-Félix de Montceau (Gigean)
  22. 21 : mi 11.44 - alt. 430 ft - Junction
  23. 22 : mi 11.73 - alt. 522 ft - Section
  24. 23 : mi 12.25 - alt. 381 ft - Three-Way Junction
  25. 24 : mi 12.78 - alt. 423 ft - Crossroads
  26. 25 : mi 13.44 - alt. 699 ft - Junction
  27. 26 : mi 13.75 - alt. 719 ft - Crossing a footpath
  28. 27 : mi 15.5 - alt. 430 ft - Inverted fork
  29. 28 : mi 16.22 - alt. 276 ft - Location
  30. S/E : mi 16.59 - alt. 272 ft - La Tortue car park near the D114

Notes

There are no water points along the entire route. Pack as you would for any hike. Wear hiking boots you’ve already broken in. Foot care is essential (anti-chafing cream); carry a rucksack with only the bare essentials; wear clothing suitable for the season and weather conditions. Wear a head covering with a neck guard in hot weather. Don’t forget drinking water and a light snack. A small bottle of water to keep yourself hydrated. In short, your rucksack should not be overloaded and should be well-suited to your build. Walking poles may be useful. Always know your position on the route using: a route map, compass, GPS and mobile app. (Charge your mobile before setting off; bring a portable charger).
- Put your mobile in aeroplane mode to save battery life.
- Follow the route point by point; if you go the wrong way, return to the previous point.
Important information: in hot weather, set off early in the morning.

Worth a visit

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
5 / 5
papadid
papadid

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk, with no real difficulty apart from the distance: 28 km / 7 hours, including a 15-minute break / 638 m total elevation gain.
Highlights:

  • Stunning scenery stretching from Mont Ventoux to Mont Canigou, from the Mediterranean Sea to the foothills of the Cévennes, passing by the lakes.

For me, the most beautiful walk in La Gardiole.

Machine-translated

sberthu
sberthu

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Lovely scenery. We’re walking around the mountain range, so we get to see all four sides – it’s lovely and varied.
I did the walk at a leisurely pace and it’s very pleasant – a bit hilly but not too much.
It’s great training for the Mireval trail run, which takes place in the valley opposite.
The weather was very windy, especially on the ridges.
I’d recommend doing this hike when the sun isn’t too strong, as there are lots of exposed sections that would certainly be very challenging under a blazing sun.
A quick note on the route: in the last 5 kilometres, the route includes a circular loop that I didn’t realise was there (and didn’t take). So the route was only 26 km for me.

Machine-translated

Pilet Bernard
Pilet Bernard

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 29, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

:The walk is magnificent.
The views of the sea and the ponds, with the rocky outcrops and the heath, are particularly stunning on such a sunny day. In short, the walk was particularly enjoyable.
It’s not that difficult, but the distance is quite long; the elevation changes, whilst not insurmountable or very steep, are very frequent – you’re constantly going up and down – so you need a minimum level of fitness, particularly on these late autumn days
The only downside is the lack of signposting; the app on my mobile was essential for me
Enjoy your walks, Bernard

Machine-translated

Other walks in the area

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.