Dio-et-Valquières walks

This hike takes you from Brenas to the Saint-Amans Chapel via a fairly easy and varied route.

A lovely walk through the upper cantons: along the Ruisseau de Nize, then up through the boxwood trees towards the hamlet of Briandes and back via the postman’s path.

A lovely walk through vineyards and holm oak woods.

A beautiful walk through a former mining site, among chestnut trees and terraced vineyards, overlooking a magnificent landscape.

Having found traces of this local road No. 13 on the 1827 land registry, I went in search of it. It starts at La Lieude and climbs up through the Las Moles valley. This hike is reserved for experienced hikers who are familiar with the terrain and enjoy getting off the beaten track. The path is not always easy to follow in the ruffes (red earth). Return via Mas Bousquet and Mas Valos le Vieux and Valos le Bas. No markings - GPS very useful.

A walk through the hills above the medieval village of Boussagues, amongst the vineyards and ancient terraced fields, which can be extended with a visit to the village.

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.

From Col de la Baraque to Chapelle de Saint-Amans via the ridges, then to Chapelle de Notre-Dame-de-Nize via a chestnut grove.

This easy walk takes you to the Chapel of Saint-Fulcran, where tradition holds that Saint-Fulcran – Bishop of Lodève from 949 to 1006 – was born in the vicinity. You then climb along an old path to Mas de Pradels. The return journey takes you to the Montagne de la Boutine, from where you descend via a winding track.

A circular walk along good paths, taking in the impressive mining faces of the coalfield, followed by a visit to the small, restored Saint-Sauveur Chapel and its rural setting.

Starting from Octon, this beautiful walk takes you to the ruins of Château de Lauzières and the 12th-century Romanesque chapel of Roubignac.

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 short but very pretty hike in the Octon hills, offering views of Lake Salagou at the start. The destination is the small Romanesque chapel of Notre-Dame de Roubignac (7), but there are other places of interest along the way, such as the dolmen and the ruins of Octon Castle, visible from the other side of the valley.

A beautiful hike with 360° views on very good paths. The ridge section is exposed to the wind.

A pleasant walk, starting with unobstructed views of the highest peaks, then shaded after Lavalette. A short stretch of tarmac at the start and halfway along the route.

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.

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

For walkers who like to venture a little off the beaten track and who have a good sense of direction. A lovely walk through the maquis, the tops of the old bauxite quarries and the Bois de Levers, mostly in the shade apart from a few sections of quiet road.

At the gateway to Lodève and Lake Salagou, on the Cayroux plateau, discover dolmens, drystone shelters and stone enclosures as you cross a landscape of "ruffes", an astonishing red earth.

From the Graissessac Mining Museum via the Castan district, climb up alongside the old mining spoil heaps towards the Chapelle Saint-Laurent and Les Nières, then return via the Pommier mine, the arboretum, the Saint-Simon mine and the Chemin du Papin.

Set off to explore the village of Salasc, for a refreshing break, and its partly shaded hills, which offer views of the surrounding area and the Salagou valley. The Béals are irrigation channels that have long watered the gardens and are still used today in Salasc. This hike may be closed depending on the fire risk level. Remember to check the map.

Set in the heart of the Hérault heath, this route offers an immersion in a landscape typical of the southern Mediterranean, blending unspoilt nature with rural heritage. The walk begins at the Grotte de Soumartre, a natural formation comprising three distinct chambers, where you can admire beautiful limestone formations and spectacular stalactites, evidence of thousands of years of slow erosion. The route continues towards the Moulins de Faugères, former windmills historically used for grinding grain, the earliest traces of which date back to medieval times. Finally, the trail passes through a remarkable heritage of dry-stone construction, featuring agricultural terrace walls that once shaped the terraced fields, as well as ‘carabelles’ – small stone structures used as shelters or for agricultural tools – a legacy of traditional farming practices and the organisation of the region’s ancient gardens and crops.

This varied route mainly follows small roads with little traffic.

A discovery walk organised by the Association des Pierres Sèches en Faugérois.A short walk accessible to all, following forgotten paths rediscovered by the Association Pierres Sèches en Faugérois. It offers the chance to discover 15 carabelles – the local name for drystone shelters – among the many found in the Faugères area. The route is fully signposted in blue.

Avène is not just a cosmetics brand; it is also a thriving spa village in the upper cantons of the Hérault. Influenced by both the ocean and the Mediterranean, the Monts-d’Orb present striking contrasts from one slope to the other. From the Orb valley to the dry Rieussec valley via Peyreguille, the route—lovely and wooded, and therefore often shaded—alternates between south- and north-facing slopes. No fewer than six passes and four valleys are strung together in this way. Added to this is a well-preserved heritage (mill, Saint-André Chapel, etc.).

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

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.

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.

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

A pleasant hike with remarkable views and beautiful 360° panoramas of Mont Saint-Clair and the Mediterranean, Caroux, Pic de Vissous and Mont Baudille Séranne. We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Canigou massif.