Graissessac walks

This circuit is very elegant and very sporty, going around the valley formed by the Provères stream. For most of the route, you will enjoy distant views in almost every direction. At the end of the route, the gorges formed by the Bouissescure stream are very wild and have exuberant vegetation.

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.

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 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.

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.

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

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.

A lovely walk through vineyards and holm oak woods.

This route is notable for having two climbs, the second of which comes after more than half the route has already been covered, making it harder to tackle. The paths are often of the ‘Caroux’ type, i.e. very stony, but there are still sections of well-surfaced paths as well as tracks. At the top of the Serre de More, a large section has been ravaged by fire, but this in no way detracts from the landscape and the magnificent 360° view.

This hike, starting from Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare, has the advantage of taking you to the Portail de Roquandouire via a short out-and-back route, whilst avoiding the climbs up to the Serre de More and the ridge section. It takes you through the hamlets of Compeyre and Cours le Haut, before starting a circular route that offers a glimpse of the ruined castle of Nébuzon and leads to the start of a track. We will briefly leave this track to follow a balcony path on a short round trip to the foot of the Portail de Roquandouire. The return to Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare will be downhill via theGRP®. It is a lovely hike offering beautiful views. The most physically demanding part will be completed in the morning before the lunch break.

A pleasant circular route starting from Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare, passing through the Col de l'Ourtigas, Douch and the Caroux plateau, with its heather stretching as far as the eye can see, offering exceptional panoramic views of the valley and the Pyrenees on a clear day. Gravel paths, the remains of shepherds’ huts, old dwellings and the impressive Roquandouire Gate with its unobstructed view of the Mare Valley. This hike is classified as very difficult due to its length and elevation gain… in reality, the climb is very gradual, in distinct sections and without any sudden changes in gradient. As for the duration, quite frankly, the landscape is so magnificent and varied that with a bit of training, you won’t even notice the time passing…

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 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.

A very beautiful and varied hike through forest, alpine landscape, ridges and ravines. From La Coix de Marcou, a 360° panorama.

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.

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

This hike offers a unique circular route with, at the highest point, a 360° view providing a magnificent panorama towards the sea, the Carroux plateau and all the mountain ranges to the north and east of this remarkable dome: Mont Marcou. The ascent is quite demanding with steep slopes where you sometimes need to use your hands to climb rocky sections. The descent also features some fairly steep sections. This hike may therefore be difficult for some. However, the first 45 minutes provide a good warm-up before tackling the steep climb up to the antennas, and even beyond. A beautiful, wild and challenging route.

This hike forms a loop with a 360° view at the highest point, offering a magnificent panorama of the sea, the Carroux plateau and all the mountains to the north and east of this remarkable dome: Mont Marcou. The climb is quite demanding with steep slopes where you sometimes have to use your hands to climb rocky passages. The descent also has some fairly steep sections. This hike may therefore be difficult for some. However, the first 45 minutes allow you to warm up before tackling the tough climb to the antennas. A beautiful route.

This route passes through the ridges of the Serre de More, which overlooks the Mare and Casselouvre valleys. It crosses the Portail de Roquandouire, a surprising natural gateway.

This walk in the Roc d’Orque massif takes place largely on the south-facing side, which is lovely at this time of year. A lovely route at the foot of high limestone cliffs, passing close to a large waterfall that cascades down from the base of one of them. A resurgence causes the water to gush forth, having travelled through the mountain from the catchment area formed by the plateau above the cliffs. Well worth a visit. Hikers who completed this circular route after Storm Nils reported difficulties in following the route from the starting point (10). Extensive work has been carried out by a forestry company, enabling the route to be restored. See Practical Information.

Starting from the Andabre sports complex, opposite the cemetery, this is a lovely walk in a corner of the Hérault that once lived off coal mining. Although mining ceased in the early 1990s, it has left a lasting impression on the local community. This walk gives you an insight into another type of activity, still practised today, namely agriculture, specifically chestnut farming.

A short half-day hike to discover these magnificent surroundings. Despite its ‘easy’ rating and the minimal elevation gain, it features a fairly steep climb from Saint-Geniès-de-Varensal and a similarly steep descent after the Orquette ruins. Sturdy footwear and a good level of fitness are essential.

A superb circular route, climbing up to the Plo des Brus plateau via the Saint-Eutrope ridge, before descending via the Roquandouire Gate. Start at the foot of the Mare, the river that runs through Andabre. Head towards the Notre-Dame de Saint Eutrope chapel, then climb the ridge of the same name towards the plateau. Descend via the Serre de Majous to the Portail de Roquandouire, to reach the village of Andabre in the middle of the broom bushes. There are few markings in the middle of the hike => follow the GPX track carefully.

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.).

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

A lovely circular route starting from the hamlet of Rosis, which circles the mountain of the same name, featuring a wide variety of trails, alternating between ledges and viewpoints, gorges and torrents, and passing successively through the cols d’Aussière and de Vente-Vieille, the Mouscaillou ridge, the Serre d’Esparic, the Caramaus ridge, and the gorges of Aussières and Casselouvre. All this whilst passing through the pretty stone-built hamlets of Rosis and Cours-le-Haut.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Walk on the Caroux plateau, which offers magnificent views of the Orb valley, the Mediterranean coast and the Pyrenees.

This hike takes you across the Caroux plateau, from the Gorges d'Héric to the Gorges de Colombières, overlooking the area of small mountains south of the Balcon du Caroux towards the sea. On a clear day, this hike offers impressive views as far as the Pyrénées Orientales mountain range, from Cap Béar to Pic du Carlit via the Albères and Pic du Canigou.

Hike starting from Douch, via the Roc du Caroux, Font Salesse, the Sentier des Gardes, the Piste des Biterrois and back via the Rocher de Sarrazine.

A snowshoe hike on the Caroux plateau, which is not often possible. Of course, you need to have your own snowshoes, as it is almost impossible to hire them on the way there. But it was very pleasant to be able to walk with snowshoes on that day. The slight incline allows people who are not used to this activity to discover the pleasure of hiking in the snow in areas that are, in part, untouched. GPX track required in some places.

A very beautiful, wild and difficult hike for experienced hikers in the Caroux, the mountain of light. Avoid on rainy days or if it has rained in the previous days. See the Practical Information section before setting out on this hike.

A circular bucolic route through the hills surrounding Douch: La Tourelle, La Combe d'Estrets, La Rousselle, and above all Roc Laurès, offering a view of the surrounding mountains from a height of over 1,000 metres. Be careful, however, as there are no markings, so you have to follow the directions and the GPX track, which gives this route a bit of a fun/orienteering feel, without any major risk of getting lost for too long.