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Col de Fontfroide walks
The Upper Agout Valley and Mont du Sialassous
Visorando Member
15.31 mi
+1,854 ft
-1,870 ft
8h 40
Difficult
Departure from Fraisse-sur-Agout (Hérault)
This route, through the deep undergrowth of the Agout Valley, will allow you to discover the beech trees and ferns of the Espinouse Forest, followed by those of the Somail State Forest.
Numerous vantage points along the way, including Mont du Sialassous, with a 360° view.
At the end of the route, you’ll reach the Pailher de Prat d’Alaric, a unique architectural heritage site.
Crossing the Monts du Somail via Lac de Vesoles
16.03 mi
+1,253 ft
-1,224 ft
8h 30
Difficult
Departure from Fraisse-sur-Agout (Hérault)
In the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park, you cross the Plateau du Somail at an altitude ranging between 900 and 1,000 metres, passing through forests and moorland. The balcony-like sections offer panoramic views of the valleys below and the other peaks of the Haut-Languedoc. After a break at Lac de Vesoles, a cliff-top descent overlooks the Saut de Vesoles and the Gorges du Ruisseau du Buraut, offering a bird’s-eye view of the Gulf of Lion.
Walks near Col de Fontfroide
From Bardou to Saint-Geniès-de-Varensal via the summit of Espinouse
15.90 mi
+2,313 ft
-2,818 ft
9h 20
Very difficult
Departure from Mons (Hérault) (Hérault)
Ascent of Espinouse starting from the car park before the hamlet of Bardou to Saint-Geniès-de-Varensal via the GR®7 and GRP® Tours des Monts et Lacs en Haut Languedoc. This hike is the first part of a two-day circular, completed by the ascent of Caroux, from Saint-Geniès-de-Varensal to the car park before the hamlet of Bardou.
The Maison de Peyrac - Lacaune
9.59 mi
+1,027 ft
-1,394 ft
5h 20
Moderate
Departure from Nages (Tarn)
This final stage takes place, for the most part, in the undergrowth, on wide paths lined with wild strawberries and various fruit bushes.The path winds its way up and down until it reaches the foot of the Roc de Montalet.From there, it is the final descent towards Lacaune.
From Mons to Douch via Héric
5.27 mi
+3,425 ft
-1,283 ft
5h 25
Difficult
Departure from Mons (Hérault) (Hérault)
This is the first day of the Haut Languedoc trip. It will take at least 5 hours to reach Douch. The climb to the Col de la Maure is unmarked but follows a well-marked, safe path. See § Practical information (¹).The access to the Col du Bardou is beautiful. The descent to the Ruisseau d'Héric and the climb back up to Douch via the hamlet of Héric are very varied.
Espinouse - Colombières
14.42 mi
+2,008 ft
-4,760 ft
8 hrs
Very difficult
Departure from Rosis (Hérault)
On the second day, you can return to Colombières sur Orb from the summit of Espinouse via the Héric gorges.
La Salvetat-sur-Agout - La Maison de Payrac
8.50 mi
+1,663 ft
-978 ft
5h 20
Moderate
Departure from La Salvetat-sur-Agout (Hérault)
This is the most fun-filled day with the summer activities at the Maison de Payrac.Rock carvings, geobiological and floral curiosities line the path.The shores of Lake Laouzas offer lovely spots for a picnic, and its crystal-clear water is perfect for a refreshing dip.
Crossing the Somail and Haut-Agout National Forests
10.52 mi
+436 ft
-2,096 ft
5h 15
Moderate
Departure from Le Soulié (Hérault)
A gentle stroll in the shade of two national forests. From Le Soulié, at an altitude of 900 m in the Somail National Forest in the Hérault, you descend gently to Labastide-Rouairoux through the Haut-Agout National Forest in the Tarn. Here, the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park hides a mystery: what might Le Somail have looked like when the dolmens and menhirs that line this route were erected?
This hike may be prohibited depending on the fire risk level. Remember to check the map.
Colombières sur Orb - Espinouse
11.30 mi
+4,262 ft
-1,529 ft
8h 55
Difficult
Departure from Colombières-sur-Orb (Hérault)
Day one: Climb up the Colombières Gorges towards the Caroux massif. Cross the Caroux massif towards Douch, then follow the Vialais stream before climbing back up to the Espinouse massif and settling down for the night.
Lacaune - La Salvetat-sur-Agout
11.85 mi
+1,772 ft
-2,054 ft
7h 00
Difficult
Departure from Lacaune (Tarn)
This is the longest stage of the route, but it presents no particular difficulties.Most of the route runs through the Lacaune National Forest.The Rieufrech Stream will accompany you with its crystal-clear murmur almost all the way along the path.You might want to stop for lunch by the stream, next to a small bridge.
In the Écrivains Combattants National Forest
6.67 mi
+2,477 ft
-456 ft
5h 15
Moderate
Departure from Lamalou-les-Bains (Hérault)
This route runs entirely through the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park. It passes through two typical villages and offers numerous panoramic views of the Orb Valley, the Monts d’Orb, the Montagne de l’Espinouse and the Caroux Plateau. Charles Péguy, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Paul Nizan (Les chiens de garde), Robert Desnos and hundreds of others await us in the Forêt Domaniale des Écrivains Combattants.