Brusque walks

A short family hike in the upper Dourdou valley, in southern Aveyron, where water meets stone and the slopes are stony. But above all, it is the village of Brusque, from ‘bruscas’ (heather), crowned by the ruins of its9th-century castle on its rocky outcrop, with its winding alleyways.

Through a coniferous forest, we discover the Russian Orthodox Chapel nestled in the heart of the woods, in an idyllic green setting. Time to pause and meditate on this magical place. Superb views. The trail is mainly woodland, which is pleasant in hot weather.

Pleasant walk starting from the centre of Camarès (you can also start from the leisure centre car park) along the Dourdou river, passing through Camarès "Ville haute" (upper town), the ruins of the old fortified town, the castle currently being restored, the rose garden, and enjoy the panoramic view from the old bell tower.

The walk is mainly in the shade of the forest. Very pleasant to do during hot weather.

A superb circular route starting from Castanet-le-Haut: can be done in one day or over two days with a stopover at the bivouac in Caissenols-le-Haut. Ascent to the Plo des Brus plateau via the Razigade ridge, passing through the Col de l'Ourtigas, then descent to the abandoned hamlet of Caissenols-le-Haut. Continue towards the Roquandouire gate, heading towards Saint-Gervais along the ridge, before joining the GRP® de la Mare trail and following it upstream along the river towards Andabre and then Castanet-le-Haut.

This hike in the Roc d'Orque massif takes place largely on the south side, which is pleasant at this time of year. It is a beautiful route at the foot of high limestone cliffs, passing close to a large waterfall at the foot of one of them. A resurgence causes the water that has passed through the mountain from the catchment area formed by the plateau above the cliffs to gush out. It's a sight worth seeing. See Practical Information.

This hike forms a loop with a 360° view at the highest point, offering a magnificent panorama of the sea, the Carroux plateau and all the mountains to the north and east of this remarkable dome: Mont Marcou. The climb is quite demanding with steep slopes where you sometimes have to use your hands to climb rocky passages. The descent also has some fairly steep sections. This hike may therefore be difficult for some. However, the first 45 minutes allow you to warm up before tackling the tough climb to the antennas. A beautiful route.

In the heart of the Monts de Lacaune, a family hike from the village of Murat-sur-Vèbre through the grazing lands of the Lacaune sheep, whose milk is used to make Roquefort cheese, the first French cheese to receive an appellation d'origine. With a break in a restored sheepfold, a walk through a typical hamlet (where traditional sheep's cheese is sold directly) and the return to Murat via Le Castelas and its old village.

Starting from the Andabre sports complex, opposite the cemetery, this is a lovely walk in a corner of the Hérault that once lived off coal mining. Although mining ceased in the early 1990s, it has left a lasting impression on the local community. This walk gives you an insight into another type of activity, still practised today, namely agriculture, specifically chestnut farming.

A superb circular route, climbing up to the Plo des Brus plateau via the Saint-Eutrope ridge, before descending via the Roquandouire Gate. Start at the foot of the Mare, the river that runs through Andabre. Head towards the Notre-Dame de Saint Eutrope chapel, then climb the ridge of the same name towards the plateau. Descend via the Serre de Majous to the Portail de Roquandouire, to reach the village of Andabre in the middle of the broom bushes. There are few markings in the middle of the hike => follow the GPX track carefully.

This route passes through the ridges of the Serre de More, which overlooks the Mare and Casselouvre valleys. It crosses the Portail de Roquandouire, a surprising natural gateway.

A very beautiful hike where you will find a dolmen and a menhir statue, flower-lined paths, and views of the Murat countryside, Camarès and the slopes of Espinouse. Part of this route follows the ancient Roman road which became the Via Tolosana in the Middle Ages, the route from Arles to Santiago de Compostela.

Here is a brief overview of the Avène Reservoir, starting from Ceilhes-et-Rocozels, first climbing up Mont Redon, south of the village. After the Rouvignac chapel and lodges, the route approaches the left bank of the Orb, which feeds the Bouloc lake, developed for outdoor leisure activities (water sports, camping).

On the second day, you can return to Colombières sur Orb from the summit of Espinouse via the Héric gorges.

A lovely circular route starting from the Col de l'Ourtigas, with the Plo des Brus viewpoint and belvedere, the descent from the Serre de Majous, the Portail de Roquandouire pass, the return via the Casseloubre valley, the abandoned village of Caïssenols and the climb back up to the Ourtigas via the stream of the same name in the forest.

This circuit is very elegant and very sporty, going around the valley formed by the Provères stream. For most of the route, you will enjoy distant views in almost every direction. At the end of the route, the gorges formed by the Bouissescure stream are very wild and have exuberant vegetation.

This hike above Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare will take you up to higher ground in the first half, where you can admire a magnificent panorama. From the Pétète d'en Cabausse, above the Col des Treize Vents, or from the Mouscaillou, you can enjoy a 360° view: the Vissou, the Languedoc plain and the Mediterranean to the south; Serre de More, the Orques cliffs and Marcou to the north. Then it's time to descend through a chestnut grove where, from autumn onwards, the streams that dried up during the summer begin to sing again.

This large circular route will first take you to the Croix de Marcou, where you can enjoy a sublime view at an altitude of over 1,000 m. You will then set off again to climb up to the Portail de Roquandouire on the opposite slope. The return via Serre de More will allow you to discover the rugged landscape typical of the Caroux. This hike is reserved for experienced walkers who enjoy climbing.

South of Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare and on the northern part of Caroux, in the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park, this route follows ancient paths through chestnut groves and coppice woods.

In a remote and uncrowded area, you will pass through valleys and ridges in the heart of the Monts-d'Orb national forest, renowned for its plantations of Laricio pines native to Corsica.

A very pretty, unmarked hike, taking paths and trails that sometimes run along the hillside and reveal varied landscapes, including the remains of mining activity, in the hinterland of western Hérault. There are a series of ascents and descents, but they do not require significant physical effort. It is a complete change of scenery for hikers looking for diversity.

Walk around the former mining site of Camplong, where you will find the Durand Pit headframe and, at the top of the hill, in the middle of a chestnut forest, the restored 12th-century Saint-Sauveur Chapel, which overlooks Camplong, Saint-Étienne-d'Estréchoux and Graissessac. The circular dry stone wall a few dozen metres from the sanctuary is an old cemetery.

The route can be described as moderately difficult. After a short warm-up stretch through the Forêt des Écrivains Combattants to a megalithic tomb, then crossing the hamlet of Madale, this circular route continues around the Serre de la Cabrière via a track that turns into a balcony path offering beautiful views of the Madale and Colombières Gorges and the Moulin de la Fage.

Located on the south-western slope of the Larzac Plateau at an altitude of 530 m, the village of Saint-Beaulize is dominated by a cirque formed by high limestone cliffs (reaching 860 m) commonly known as molaires.

A lovely walk through rolling countryside, among vineyards and cherry trees, accessible to most people.