Refine your search for walks in Grotte d'Orquette (Saint-Geniès-de-Varensal)
Grotte d'Orquette (Saint-Geniès-de-Varensal) walks
Circular Plaisance route via the Croix de Marcou and the Orquette cave
Visorando Member
7.90 mi
+2,628 ft
-2,621 ft
5h 55
Difficult
Departure from Saint-Geniès-de-Varensal (Hérault)
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.
Walks near Grotte d'Orquette (Saint-Geniès-de-Varensal)
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.