Circular path in the Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert National Forest

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This hike, which mainly follows shaded paths through the Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert National Forest, will allow you to discover magnificent landscapes over the Hérault Valley on the way there and beautiful panoramas of the Séranne Massif on the way back.

Details

n°22263756
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 18.49 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 7h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 728 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 721 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 647 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 70 m
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Description of the walk

The starting point is on the D4, about 2 km after Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. There is a large (free) car park on the right just after a bend.

(S/E) Take the D4 towards Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert for about 300 m.

(1) Take the track on the right that leads into the Combe de Malafosse. Continue along the track for about 500 m.

(2) Leave the path to your left that leads to the Grotte du Sergent and take the path on your right.

(3) After several hairpin bends, leave the path coming from the village of L'Estagnol on your right.

(4) When you reach the three-way junction in the path, take the path on the left. Continue along this path through the Combe du Sergent valley, which will take you to the Grotte Beaume de l'Olivier cave.

(5) The entrance to the Grotte de l'Olivier is high up on your right. Continue along the path, pass the Combe de Carelles and join theGR®74above the village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert.

(6) Take theGR®74on your right as you climb.

(7) Leave the yellow-markedPR® trail on your left, which climbs to the Col de la Pousterle. Continue onthe GR®74towards the Ermitage Notre-Dame de Belle Grace and the Chapelle Saint-Joseph until you reach these two buildings.

(8) After the chapel, continue to Cap du Ginestet and cross over to the other side. Join the track below.

(9) Continue along the track for about 100 m.

(10) At the cairn, take the path on the right and shortly afterwards, turn right again. Go through the wooden barrier and follow this slightly uphill path.

(11) When you reach a three-way junction, take the path on your left to continue your hike towards Roc de la Vigne. Join the track at the top.

(12) Take it on your right.

(13) At the cairn, turn left (the path on the right will take you to Roc de la Vigne, where you can enjoy a beautiful view. Allow an extra 30 minutes for the round trip).
Continue your hike on the path that will take you around Roc de la Vigne. Descend to the small village of Estagnol, which is currently being restored.

(14) Turn left after the first house. Follow the track to the cross. At the cross, take the path on your right that runs alongside a stone wall.

(15) After about 200 metres, turn slightly right to follow the path that will take you to the car park (S/E) that you will see during your descent.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 77 m - Parking on the D4
  2. 1 : km 0.26 - alt. 74 m - Start of the trail
  3. 2 : km 0.81 - alt. 88 m - Combe de Malafosse
  4. 3 : km 2.07 - alt. 292 m - Trail intersection
  5. 4 : km 2.42 - alt. 329 m - Trail intersection
  6. 5 : km 4.1 - alt. 290 m - Grotte de l'Olivier
  7. 6 : km 5.63 - alt. 264 m - Intersection with GR
  8. 7 : km 6.1 - alt. 322 m - Trail intersection
  9. 8 : km 7.86 - alt. 389 m - Saint Joseph Chapel
  10. 9 : km 9.2 - alt. 500 m - Intersection with track
  11. 10 : km 9.34 - alt. 509 m - Trail junction
  12. 11 : km 11.94 - alt. 591 m - Trail intersection
  13. 12 : km 12.65 - alt. 644 m - Intersection with track
  14. 13 : km 12.8 - alt. 645 m - Junction for - Roc de la Vigne
  15. 14 : km 16.34 - alt. 307 m - L'Estagnol
  16. 15 : km 16.57 - alt. 294 m - Pathway
  17. S/E : km 18.49 - alt. 77 m - Parking on the D4

Notes

No water sources along the route.

Worth a visit

(5) The Olive Tree Cave. This cave served as a refuge for several years to a hermit from Saint-Guilhem le Désert.

(8) The Hermitage of Notre Dame de Belle Grâce and the Chapel of Saint Joseph.

- The Roc de la Vigne, which you can reach by taking a short detour at (13)

(14) The village of Estagnol, isolated from the world.

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 6 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 21680566

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike that begins with a fairly steep climb.
There are numerous shaded sections, which is welcome in summer.
The explanations are very good.
However, I have two comments: it is difficult because of the significant elevation gain. The distance given as 18.5 km is actually 26 km, and we never got lost.

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jf1392
jf1392

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

-3 at the start but the sun quickly came out
A pleasant and varied route
On the Garmin 850D+ watch and 20km (GPS variation)

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celinemma
celinemma

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, but the descent back towards the Hérault is quite challenging in some places. I would say it is more difficult than average. But it is magnificent for its panoramic views and the stop at the hermitage.

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Laurent.saccomani0344
Laurent.saccomani0344

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike and the description is spot on.
My GPS recorded 21 km and 820 m of elevation gain.

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natwib
natwib

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with breathtaking views and changing vegetation. The hermitage is well worth a visit.

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eliam1408
eliam1408
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful 19-kilometre circular route through the Laricio pine forest and flowering heather on the Zinzin estate.
The stony path quickly turns into a drail and paved slanting street, and we sometimes have to elbow our way through the bushes to force our way along this narrow, little-used path.
The Combe de Malafosse is full of flowering and fruiting arbutus trees.
The landscapes we discover are magnificent, sometimes vertiginous, as we have to walk along the cliff edge to make progress.
We make our way through the Combes, first the Sergent and then the Carelles, before joining the GR74 and reaching the Hermitage of Notre-Dame de Belle Grace and the Chapel of Saint-Joseph, where we will have our lunch.
After Cap du Ginestet, we return through the forest on the other side. Hordes of wild boars have ploughed up the path to such an extent that it is difficult to follow.
We get lost twice and fatigue begins to set in.
Our GPS takes us back to the track that goes around Roc de la Vigne to the small village of Estagnol, which is currently being restored.
It is a very beautiful hike, very sheltered, which means it can be done in summer. Be careful, however, as there are many different tracks along the route and points that look alike. You must follow the instructions on the map or use a GPS.
There are no major difficulties, but some sections require you to have a head for heights and be equipped with good walking shoes.

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