Combes walks

This trail in the Forêt Domaniale des Écrivains Combattants allows you to discover megalithic tombs.

A memorial to all the writers who fought in the two world wars. The war cross carved with stars by the paths lined on either side with steles bearing the names of writers who fought during those periods. An iconic forest site that immerses us in a haven of greenery and peace. It is also a good idea to visit the top of the Colombières gorges and its climbing spots to get a perspective of the surrounding environment.

This varied route takes you first to the pretty hamlet of Torteillan, a true haven of peace, then, after a short climb under oak and chestnut trees, to the village of Combes. The route then follows a path leading to the Col des Princes, which rises to 588 m and is well known to cyclists. Via tracks, paths and trails, it leads to the (ruined) Chapel of Saint-Vital and the Roc de Bessède, where you can enjoy a magnificent view, at an altitude of 573 m, of the surrounding mountains and the villages of L'Horte and Taussac below.

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.

The Caroux is a mountain range with steep slopes and significant elevation changes. The plateau is dotted with purple heather and peat bogs. It overlooks the Orb valley and the Colombières, Héric and Bardou gorges. The 360° panorama stretches from the Montagne de l'Espinouse to the Pyrenees with the Gulf of Lion in the background. This is the most beautiful stage of this itinerary due to its location in the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park.

A pleasant walk that climbs slightly at the start of this circuit through oak trees, leading to the small Notre-Dame de Capimont Sanctuary, a true haven of peace and coolness. Overlooking the Orb and Bitoulet valleys, you will be in the shade during hot weather and a panoramic view awaits you there.

E12th-century Romanesque chapel with a17th-century hermitage attached, it bears witness to the religious past of the neighbouring villages. Behind the building, a steep path leads to a small chapel at the top of a monumental staircase: this is the Chapel of Sainte-Anne, mother of Our Lady. From the esplanade in front of the church, there is a superb panoramic view stretching from Carlencas to Caroux and from Pic de la Coquillade to Orb. An orientation table helps you to locate this environment.

This is the first circuit in a "pentalogy" of routes along the slopes and cliffs of Caroux, offering superb panoramic views and cliffs in a very mineral environment consisting of ledges and ridges. The loop starts from the hamlet of La Fage and follows the upper part of the Colombières Gorges, before heading horizontally below the Caroux plateau, at the foot of the climbing cliffs. The climb back up to the plateau is near the orientation table, before returning via the south-eastern edge of the plateau.

This hike will allow you to discover different aspects of the Caroux area: fields of heather, the Bosc de Madale forest and the more mineral landscape of the Colombières gorges with magnificent views of the Caroux walls. During this circular route, you will see several vestiges of past human activity: the old Delbourg quarries, before reaching the sécadou (where chestnuts were once dried).

Halfway up the Caroux Plateau. Please note: this hike is for fairly experienced walkers, but offers spectacular views.

An exceptional circular walk above the torrent of Arles where you can discover a cave dwelling and a superb Cervennes collection in the hamlet of Fage.

A challenging hike crossing the massif at mid-height. Magnificent views over a succession of valleys and combs connecting the Colombières Gorges to the Héric Gorges. Alternating ascents, descents and flat sections in wooded environments followed by very rocky sections. Two passages equipped with ladders and a few slightly exposed passages, but no particular difficulty. Recommended on days with strong north-westerly winds as the route is well sheltered.

This is a demanding hike with a long, very steep section covering a significant elevation gain from Esquino d'Aze to Tour Verte, but that's par for the course when climbing the south face of Caroux! Beautiful views of this remarkable rocky landscape forming a vertical barrier between the hills of Saint-Chinianais and the Caroux plateau. However, you need to be experienced in walking on rough, unmarked trails.

Located in the Haut Languedoc Natural Park, the two massifs of Caroux and Espinouse offer a multitude of hikes. I suggest a two-day circuit that allows you to explore a variety of landscapes and admire the abundant wildlife (including mouflons). The hike starts from the car park below the church in Colombières sur Orb. The bivouac area is located around the summit of Espinouse. The second day is spent returning via the Heric Gorges, with the option of a final detour to the old chestnut groves on the mountainside.

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.

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.

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.

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 is the second route in a series of six balcony trails on the slopes and cliffs of Caroux, offering superb panoramic views and cliffs in a very rocky landscape of ledges and ridges. The route is high up, challenging and technical, but not difficult or dangerous. Avoid in wet weather as the ground can be slippery in places, particularly on the large slabs of schist. This route starts from the hamlet of La Pomarède, climbs the ridge of the same name to the Portail des Cades, before descending via the Biterrois and Garel paths to the sublime Albine waterfall (30 m high) and back to the car in the valley.

This challenging hike will take you along steep paths to the ruins of Mourcairol Castle and Saint-Michel Chapel, then on to the magnificent ruins of Cabrerolles Castle.

Magnificent views that must be earned.Route through the Saint-Michel National Forest: forest of oak and mixed species, along small paths that are quite steep in places.

A summit between the high cantons of Hérault and the wine-growing plain.

This route combines historical discoveries with breathtaking views, allowing you to see the destination of the hike before you.

The Caroux Massif offers a remarkable view of the Hérault plain, the nearby Mediterranean Sea and the Pyrenees in the distance. The orientation table located on a belvedere is the ideal spot to enjoy this panorama.

This is the third route in a series of five balcony trails on the slopes and cliffs of Caroux, offering superb panoramic views and cliffs in a very rocky landscape of ledges and ridges. An aerial, athletic and technical route, without being challenging or dangerous. Not to be attempted in wet weather, as the ground can be slippery in places, particularly on the large schist slabs. This circuit starts from the village of Saint-Martin-de-L'Arçon, climbs straight up the Saint-Martin ridge towards the summit of Caroux, to the orientation table, before descending, just as dry, via the Sentier des Gardes and the Sentier de Saint-Martin.