Between the greenway and the Vidourle river in Sommières

This short hike is accessible to all, with no elevation gain, and will allow you to discover Sommières, a medieval town that is well worth a visit. The first part of the hike takes place on a greenway (a former railway line connecting Sommières to Ganges) that has been remarkably restored with several engineering structures.

Details

12299032
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.68 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 54 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 55 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 77 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 22 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Sommières (30250)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.778856° / E 4.092981°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2842OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

There is a large car park at the old Sommières railway station, which has been converted into a hotel.

(S/E) From the car park, head towards the station and take the well-marked greenway on the left.
After passing through the 430 m tunnel, which is lit and signposted, you will come to a junction with the RD 2 road, near the wine cooperative.

(1) Cross the road carefully and continue straight ahead on the shaded greenway. Continue along this fairly straight path until you reach a second junction with the RD 610. There is a lot of traffic here. Continue carefully opposite, along the greenway, passing under several bridges until you reach the motocross route on the right. Continue for another 200 m.

(2) After the metal privacy screens, just before the bridge, turn left onto the path that leads to the stream (white dot and arrow on the first post), follow the Ruisseau d'Aigalade, and join the Chemin du Moulin, then continue straight ahead to the pumping station.

(3) Keep to the right, ignoring the path on the left, to follow the Vidourle and head towards the underpass beneath the RD 610.

(4) Go under the road and continue along the vineyards until you reach the tennis courts on the left, then the bullring on the right. Continue along the path under the plane trees to reach the entrance to Sommières.

(5) From here, you are free to choose your route through the town and visit the town centre, ending up at the Porte de l'Horloge, opposite the Roman Bridge.

(6) At the Roman Bridge, turn left onto the road that runs alongside the Vidourle, pass in front of the Auberge du Pont Romain and, after a wide right-hand bend, you will find a ramp that climbs to the left towards the car park where you started (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 34 m - Parking
  2. 1 : km 1.47 - alt. 36 m - Crossing the RD 22
  3. 2 : km 3.02 - alt. 35 m - Leave the greenway on the left.
  4. 3 : km 4.23 - alt. 26 m - Pumping station, on the right
  5. 4 : km 4.9 - alt. 27 m - Passage under the RD610
  6. 5 : km 5.63 - alt. 27 m - Sommières
  7. 6 : km 6.13 - alt. 29 m - Roman bridge
  8. S/E : km 6.67 - alt. 34 m - Parking

Notes

This is a fairly shaded and easy hike. It cannot be done when the Vidourle river is in flood.
Remember to bring a hat and water.
There are many bistros and restaurants in Sommières.

Worth a visit

A very easy hike open to all, with the unique feature of passing through a long tunnel, walking along the Vidourle river and discovering Sommières, a historic town of character with an exceptional Roman bridge built by the legionnaires of Emperor Tibert during the1st century AD.

If you do this walk on a Saturday morning, on your return to Sommières you will pass through one of the most beautiful markets in Provence, which is colourful and very friendly.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
3.4 / 5
User 20633911

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Easy, well-marked trail. Well shaded for the first third, which is on a greenway, making it pleasant in summer with a dog on a leash. However, access to the Vidourle river on the second part, which is in the sun, is a little difficult because the banks are high and there are few places where dogs can get back up without help from their owners. At the entrance to Sommieres, the arena square offers a well-deserved rest under the plane trees. A nice walk, even if it is on paved paths.

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Philippe34400
Philippe34400

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A short walk for the whole family, including children. There is a lot of tarmac and few paths, which is an advantage for pushchairs or young children on bikes. Be careful when crossing two roads and, depending on the time of year, watch out for cyclists who ride silently. The tunnel you go through is unusual. Crdt PV

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Muscade
Muscade

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little walk through woodland and along a greenway with very little elevation gain. Really very pleasant, and allow two hours if you want to take your time to look at the village of Aujargues, its castle and the landscape.

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bruma51
bruma51

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

From Sommières, enjoy a pleasant and very easy walk through vineyards and fields, mostly on paved greenways. Visit the small town of Sommières as a bonus.

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Pedibusien
Pedibusien

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Walking on greenways can be tricky when there are lots of cyclists around. And that's certainly the case on Sundays.
That's why we chose Wednesday to do this route.
Shady? Well, not really, but that was fine because we were able to enjoy some welcome sunshine at this time of year, which was also perfect for this route.
The walk is pleasant, mainly along paved paths, which is a good choice when the ground is wet and there are children present.
The trail marker along the Aigalade stream requires a little attention.
A picnic on the banks of the Virdoule, near the mill currently undergoing restoration, is highly recommended.
On the way back, you can take a detour to the old town of Sommieres.
Allow 2 hours of actual walking time.

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Arhtur
Arhtur

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

Hello,
We were disappointed because it wasn't what we expected. Almost the entire trail is paved. We missed being surrounded by nature. But I understand that it might appeal to people with young children or those looking for something really easy. Fortunately, we had a picnic by the Vidourle River next to the mill, which was very nice.

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Gérard34
Gérard34

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 19, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello,

A simple, easy route, mainly used by cyclists on the greenway.
Turn left shortly after the motocross route and head towards the banks of the Aigalade.

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Josiane Sylvie
Josiane Sylvie

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 30, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello
A lovely little family hike.
Very pleasant picnic by the lake.

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pillerijean@orange.fr
pillerijean@orange.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 30, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello everyone
The description is very well done. There is just one small detail about the greenway at a bridge that is poorly signposted.
However, thanks to the route recorded on the GPS, it is easy to find your way back.
What's more, at the end of the route, a visit to Sommières is a must.
Well done to the whole team who work so hard.
Jean PILLERI (hiker)

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