Circuit around the Vigie at the Chapelle des Auzils

A pleasant hike in the Massif de la Clape with beautiful views and a visit of the Chapel of Auzils and its marine cemetery.

⚠️ GPS tracking is essential for this hike! See reviews.

Technical sheet

42622
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.02 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 167 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 164 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 201 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 44 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Departure from the second car park at Chapelle des Auzils (altitude 60 m), located just below the chapel. Marin Cemetery.

(S/E) Head in the direction of the cycle route (a paved road to the right when facing the chapel).
Follow the road for 300 m and arrive at a fork. Continue on the paved road on the right. After 300 m you will go along the vineyards on your left and, at the end of the vines, the road heads right and a path is on the left. Do not take any of the two.

(1) Go opposite where a small path leads into the forest.
Head through the forest for 500 m (it's not difficult and always in a straight line) as far as the paved road and continue on the left. Pass by a building on your left (under renovation) and continue on the paved road on the right. You will pass a large area of deforested land on your left. Continue until you reach a wide path on the left after La Garde.

(2) Follow it to the plateau at an altitude of 170 m. Opposite us is Pech Redon, the highest point of La Clape (214 m).

(3) Turn left onto the narrow path. 150 m away at the first view point. From the edge of the cliff and on clear days there is a magnificent view of the Mediterranean and this is only the beginning. After about 700 m reach the lookout point (vigie). A view from Port la Nouvelle to Mont Saint Clair in Sète. Superb.

(4) We head away from the watchtower by the left path. This path isn’t difficult, just follow it until it leads to a marked hiking trail (Sentier de la Clape). After 750 m pass by the path on the right.

(5) Take the path opposite.

(6) We arrive at the Chapel of Auzils 250 m away. You come to another view point. Head around the chapel on the left, go down the few steps and reach the Auzils Caver located beneath the chapel.
20 metres further down the path is the marine cemetery that brings us back to the car 400 metres below.(S/E)

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 54 m - Chapelle des Auzils car park
  2. 1 : km 0.74 - alt. 52 m - Path opposite
  3. 2 : km 1.89 - alt. 63 m - Left fork
  4. 3 : km 4.01 - alt. 170 m - Small path on the left
  5. 4 : km 5.04 - alt. 187 m - Watchtower
  6. 5 : km 8.13 - alt. 145 m - Path opposite
  7. 6 : km 8.43 - alt. 131 m - Chapelle Notre-Dame-des-Auzils (Gruissan)
  8. S/E : km 9.02 - alt. 54 m - Chapelle des Auzils car park

Practical information

Hats, water bottles and sunglasses are recommended in hot weather.
The Auzils Chapel is not always open, check in advance at the Gruissan Tourist Office.

Picnic tables are located next to the chapel car park.

In the nearby area

Other hiking trails around the site.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 107 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 25948433

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

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JCWIND
JCWIND

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice walk, easy to get to and very well signposted. breathtaking view of the sea and the surrounding area. through vineyards and pine trees. remarkable walk.

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Legrandas
Legrandas

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Negative points: No signposting during the hike. The information in the Visorando paper description is unreliable and incomplete, often difficult to understand up to the Vigie. The Visorando application on mobile phones is necessary. After that, the second part of the route is easier to follow. Point 5 would benefit from a sign indicating the direction of the chapel, because if you continue along the footpath you arrive at the car park at the starting point without having seen the Notre Dame des Auzils chapel.
Positives: Very nice walk, with magnificent viewpoints and splendid pine forest landscapes that make for great photos. Not too difficult a walk.
I'd be delighted to do it again on a not-too-warm day like today, 28 April 2025.

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Marylou38
Marylou38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Splendid views, but very busy, especially around La Chapelle!

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jpr66
jpr66

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Superb scenery!

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rando du vendredi
rando du vendredi

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Beautiful views.
However, there were no signs along the entire route and the description was not very reliable.

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Cyril G
Cyril G

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent walk, with superb views!
Beware, however, of a few "typos" in the description of the route to follow (but not serious: you can still find the route by a few simple deductions).

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cece34
cece34

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

An easy walk, with pretty views all along the way.
Bring a cap when the weather is fine, as there is very little shade.

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Moulines49
Moulines49

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful course with superb scenery

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piédane
piédane

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

An absolutely beautiful walk. Take time to contemplate the magnificent scenery.

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jean-claude coudert
jean-claude coudert

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A short, easy walk starting from the marine cemetery and passing by the Auzils chapel (please note opening times). No particular difficulty.

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jerome34500
jerome34500

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

parish specific to Brittany but many roads and few footpaths

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Elemese
Elemese

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A lovely walk with superb views. A good time in the Clape, with a little wind to keep the heat down.

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Marpy
Marpy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A walk accessible to all, with a reliable description, despite the lack of signposting. Sometimes following the trail made it easier to choose between 2 directions.
The duration was consistent with a leisurely pace (3.6 km/h for us).
The views were superb.

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Lo cordior
Lo cordior

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Beautiful looping route in La Clape above Gruissan
with a great 360° panoramic view from La Vigie
enhanced by sunny weather, no wind (!!! rare) , ...
a few tourists approaching the chapel, but in the opposite direction (???!)...

Clap ! Clap ! Clap ! ...

and always: when it's good ! when it's great !! it's visorando ...

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