Castelnau-Valence walks

A lovely hike, preferably done in spring to avoid the summer heat. A fine balance between shady paths in charming oak forests and open areas mostly in vineyards. The thousand-year-old juniper tree alone is worth the trip, such is its majesty.

This short route through the village of Saint-Chaptes in the Gard allows you to discover the rocks sculpted in open garrigue and also gives you a view over the village, its old narrow streets and its castle.

A short, shady walk for most of the way. You'll discover a variety of landscapes. Paths full of flowers and scents of different types of wood, freshness and proximity to the river.Ideal for groups or families. Be careful between (7) and (8), where you walk on the asphalt road.

Stroll through the vineyards around Bourdic to discover the grape varieties and the amazing rocks carved into the walls of an ancient Roman quarry.

Small circuit around Euzet, to discover the Cave or Baume des Camisards.

This is a simple hike with little elevation gain, just over 20 km, so it's a bit challenging but still accessible to many. Above all, it's a very pleasant hike. Starting from Euzet-les-Bains, this route takes you through Saint-Hippolyte-de-Caton, Saint-Étienne-d'Olm, Saint-Cézaire-de-Gauzignan, Saint-Maurice-de-Cazevieille and Saint-Jean-de-Ceyrargues. Between each village, you will pass through pleasant countryside with fields and woods.

The word "yerle" is of Occitan origin and refers to the alluvial part of a river bend. The route follows the top of the cliffs of the Gorges du Gardon, which overlook the river by about a hundred metres. Numerous caves are visible in the cliffs, including the Grotte de la Trône (currently closed for preservation), which contains paintings dating back 37,000 years. Descend to the Gardon twice, then take a short walk on the large cliff at Russan.

Discover Blauzac, its Roman bridge and its "capitelles", dry-stone buildings used mainly as shelters for farmers.

Hike through the heart of the heath, along the cliffs overlooking the Gardon. The views of the Saint-Nicolas bridge and the river are magnificent.

A very beautiful route that allows you to visit the small village of Vic and get as close as possible to the Gardon river with the sublime viewpoint of Castellas. This hike is not recommended in the height of summer. Very little of the route is in the shade.

A beautiful hike on and around Mont Bouquet. Magnificent views throughout the varied route. The route is very well signposted (yellow markings) until you reach Le Castellas, after which the signposting is a little less frequent.

A beautiful circuit in the Gard garrigue, discovering some of its small hidden hamlets.

From the Pont Saint-Nicolas de Campagnac and its priory, a loop takes you through part of the Gorges du Gardon. You can admire the meandering Gardon, the Grotte de la Trône (an ancient prehistoric shelter with drawings of mammoths and a feline dating from the Upper Palaeolithic behind a closed iron door), the Baume Percée, seen from above and below, the climbing cliffs at Russan...

A beautiful 13 Km walk in the scrubland of Nîmes during which you will discover beautiful views of the Cevennes, magnificent capitelles and the Mediterranean vegetation: pines, cedars, fig trees, olive trees, strawberry trees, holm oaks, kermes oaks...

A beautiful hike that takes you to the Guidon du Mont Bouquet, where you can admire the superb panorama of the Gard, the Ardèche and Lozère mountains, the Drôme and Mont Ventoux. Despite the numerous trails, it is not difficult to find your way, as the antennas at the summit serve as guides.

A circuit around Uzès, discovering the Eure valley and its source that once fed the city of Nimes, then a loop through Gardoise scrubland to return to Uzès.

A walk along the Alzon river allows you to discover the source of the Eure, which was captured by the Romans to supply Nîmes with drinking water via the aqueduct. The remains are still visible. The walk then climbs to a magnificent viewpoint offering a wide panorama of Uzès.

A beautiful walk through the Mediterranean forest to reach the Gardon and enjoy La Chapelle. Please note that the cave is closed from 1 May to 15 August and from 15 November to 15 March. The descent is gentle, but the climb back up is steeper, though fairly short. Alternatively, set off from Collias to enjoy the Gardon Gorges for longer 30/10/2023: I have reclassified this route as "medium difficulty" following several comments about the steep climb on the way back (+100m over 300m)

A hike mostly through forest, under the canopy of the Bois de Lens. Throughout the walk you'll experience stunning scenery. You'll also discover the Pielles Roman quarry, Macassargues caves (which were occupied by Neanderthal man), the pre-Roman sanctuary of Mabousquet (1st century BC), the Clunisian abbey of Jouffre (3rd century) and the Castellas de Montmirat (11th century).

This hike will take you through the hills around Montmirat in the Courme Valley to the ridges of the Lens woods and the promontory of the church of Jouffre (also spelled Jouffe).

A beautiful, easy hike, best done in spring or autumn. Good paths, sometimes a little stony, lead you through heath and holm oak woods.

This hike starts from the car park below the village of Lussan, which I visited on the way back. It crosses fields and forest, heathland, to reach the Portail des Concluses, which this year at the end of May still had water, so it was superb. We climb back up from the Portail des Concluses on the other side, a good climb that is a little strenuous but nothing insurmountable. After walking through the heath, we pass through hamlets and villages interspersed with passages through the surrounding countryside to return to the village of Lussan.

Hike from the small village of Vic-le-Fesc, which will take you to the Vidourle River via the picturesque site of Notre-Dame de Prime Combe with its giant statues, Stations of the Cross and open chapel.