L'Ermitage de Collias (Collias hermitage)

Family outing visiting the beautiful site of Collias Hermitage.

Details

70548
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Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.49 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 25 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 187 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 189 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 181 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 24 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Collias (30210)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.953649° / E 4.479751°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2941OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

In Collias, park your car in the paid parking between the bakery and the André Clément hall.

Yellow waymark

(S) Exit the car park, turn right and follow 'l'avenue du pont', cross the bridge, then take the first street to the left (Chemin de Saint Privat), heading towards the Hermitage and 'Ron de Fabre'.
The paved road will follow the Gardon River for a while, leading you to a sign indicating 'Ron de Fabre'. When arriving at this crossing, take the dirt track to the left of the tavern heading towards the hermitage and Cantadu. This track will later turn into an paved road leading to a crossing. Turn right on the Hermitage path (chemin de l'Ermitage), 20 m further, a stoned cross marks the Cantadu crossing.

(1) Continue straight ahead to the Hermitage, don't follow the track to the right (this will be the way back). The track will steadily wind through holm oaks and boxwoods, in the hermitage's valley and crosses the dry streambed several times.
Once you get to the foot of the hermitage, forget the path that goes left (not marked on the map), keep going right, heading to the hermitage (2) after climbing a few stone steps.

At the top of the site, the track will turn left through the rocks towards Cabrières and Le Grand Serre. Go passed another stone cross, then, 300 meters higher the trail leads to a track marked 'Le Grand Serre' .

(3) Take the track to the right leading to Collias and Contadu, continue on the main path with yellow waymarks paying no attention to all the little trails forming on either side. The path will wind uphill, then slowly downhill reaching a T crossing. Turn right to get back to the Cantadu stone cross.

(1) Turn left, then left again 50 m further on the Saint-Privat path. Take the same route as when you started to gain the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 46 m - Espace André Clément car park - Le Gardon
  2. 1 : km 1.32 - alt. 38 m - Cantadu crossroads, straight on
  3. 2 : km 2.91 - alt. 105 m - Ermitage de Collias
  4. 3 : km 3.25 - alt. 180 m - Le Grand Serre, turn right
  5. S/E : km 6.49 - alt. 46 m - Espace André Clément car park

Worth a visit

Collias Hermitage
At the hermitage's site, the cave immediately attracts the eye. This cave was inhabited by Neanderthals at least 40 000 years ago. A monastery was built during the 8th and 19th centuries. The last hermit died in 1839...
The Notre-Dame-de-Laval chapel was built during the 12th century on a former pagan temple site. If by chance, the chapel's door is open, you'll find some remains of ceiling frescoes and a board giving some details and explanations.
It is possible to climb on the cross at the top of the site, giving you the possibility to enjoy a stunning view of the valley.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 104 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
Mireille Majac
Mireille Majac

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely trail through the woods leading to a hermitage set in a really lovely spot, followed by a short, very steep climb. The rest of the route is a nearly non-stop, extremely stony descent which, unfortunately, isn’t particularly interesting, but I’m delighted to have discovered this hermitage!

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ipattpasc
ipattpasc

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An easy walk with plenty of shade (it must be lovely in summer)
The Collias hermitage is a wonderful discovery, and there are lovely views on the way back

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REVIENDREZ
REVIENDREZ

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

I think the term "easy" is misleading. Admittedly, the hike is short, but the climb that follows the visit to the Hermitage site is steep up to point 3. That said, the walk is varied, the views are magnificent, and there is an obvious sense of spirituality in the air.

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Berit71
Berit71

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely little hike to discover the Collias hermitage, followed by a return trip through the heath with beautiful views. We loved it.

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doumé69
doumé69

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The route to the Hermitage is interesting and worth seeing, but the rest lacks points of interest.

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marlant
marlant

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 25, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very well signposted route.
Arrival at the hermitage... very pretty view.

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severine MC
severine MC

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short loop which takes in a beautiful hermitage and gives an insight into the vegetation of the region

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philibert.sylvie
philibert.sylvie

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk to discover a little of the Cevennol Piedmont

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J.Mounier
J.Mounier

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk, thanks to its scenery and cultural interest.

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Mimigm
Mimigm

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did this little hike after doing the one in the Gorges du Gardon, so it was late in the day, which explains why it wasn't very popular.
The hermitage is a must-see
The climb after the hermitage is short but steep.
But it's a great walk. I'll do it again in 1/2 day.

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chespeel
chespeel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a lovely walk with no difficulties except on the way back after the hermitage a climb through the stones that required a little effort a very pleasant path that smelled of thyme and rosemary I didn't meet anyone on the way as it was a Monday

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Gucci
Gucci

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

The route is very varied, with a short climb that is not dangerous but not accessible for mountain bikes or pushchairs. You arrive at the foot of the Hermitage and then a small chapel that appears out of nowhere. On the way back there was a splendid view of the village of Collias. I loved this walk with my dog, just the two of us....Parfait...
To be enjoyed outside the SUMMER season. Thank you again for this route in the heart of nature.

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Zinna
Zinna

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

It's a shame that three quarters of the car parks have to be paid for!
But my hike itself was rather nice, a bit uneven but largely surmountable.
Dog-friendly

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jéjé66210
jéjé66210

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Park on the bridge or turn right before the bridge free parking.
Nice, easy hike to discover the well-preserved Hermitage. Steep point 2 to 3, good shoes required. About two and a half if you take your time

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Wilburn
Wilburn

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

An excellent walk in a historic setting!

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