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From the car park, retrace your steps to the road, turn right a few metres further on then take the road on your left towards the mountain.
Follow this road that climbs gently through the pine forest along a fence on the right. (1) In view of the Domaine des Pujols, take the path on your left (note the presence of hives - signs) and climb the footpath to get back on the FFC mountain biking route.
(2) Keep right and, after a few metres, take the small path that starts on your right (FFC mountain bike route No. 2 markings). Get to the top of the hill and you will find on your right an old dry stone shepherd’s hut.
(3) The path descends to a fork, turn right on the downhill path in the Combe de l'Abeille, the only slightly steep section (if you are with children, caution). The descent into the valley is across a small scree. Take the time to look to your right, with views of La Roche Percée. The trail runs through the valley with a vineyard in the background with a view of the Ayrolle pond. You are in the estate of Domaine du Château de Bel-Évêque.
Cross the vineyard and (4) you will find the Sentier des Goules (the Goules Trail), go left to reach the car park for the marked trail. From there, follow the yellow markings of the path, you will walk along the shore of the pond of Ayrolle then (5) up along the ridge named "Barre de l’Évêque”. One last descent is slippery because of the rocks and the trail is at the level of the Campignol Pond.
(6) When the marked mountain bike trail (facing the vineyards of Domaine des Pujols) turns right, leave the track to take a small path lined with tamarisk trees on the left. The trail skirts around the bottom the winery.
Attention: Depending on the season and the amount of rain, the trail can be muddy and slippery. You then come back to the road you took in the beginning.
A good walk.
L'Ile Saint Martin and the Goules Trail
Travel across this ancient island with magnificent views of the ponds of Narbonne. A family-friendly hike in the scrubland and pine forests.
Details
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 8.91 km -
Average duration: 2h 50 -
Difficulty: Easy -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 100 m -
Descent: - 93 m -
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Highest point: 69 m -
Lowest point: 0 m
Photos
Description of the walk
Waypoints
- S/E : km 0 - alt. 2 m - Car park
- 1 : km 0.9 - alt. 13 m - Domaine des Pujols
- 2 : km 1.27 - alt. 37 m - MTB-FFC route
- 3 : km 2.61 - alt. 58 m - Dry stone shepherd's hut
- 4 : km 3.1 - alt. 22 m - Vine
- 5 : km 4.21 - alt. 1 m - Étang de l'Ayrolle
- 6 : km 5.77 - alt. 17 m - Back to the ridge
- 7 : km 6.92 - alt. 2 m - Campignol pond
- S/E : km 8.91 - alt. 2 m - Car park
Notes
Bring water, especially when the weather is warm.
Take care on the last few metres as you will be walking along the edge of the ponds and the path can be waterlogged - walk on plants or go through the Domaine de Mas Pujol.
To park in Gruissan, head in the direction of Salins of the island of Saint Martin then at the crossing after the bridge over the canal turn right towards Mandirac; after a few kilometres you will see an orange metal bridge on your right a little towards inland, where you can park without problems.
The Chateau Bel-Évêque estate owned by a tall blonde actor with one black shoe, Pierre Richard.
Worth a visit
Gruissan, seaside resort, to see the other side of the island, the salt production from the Ile Saint Martin which started industrial operations in Roman times.
Reviews and comments
4.4 / 5
4.5 / 5
4.6 / 5
Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of your route : Mar 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
A lovely local ride. It would have been easier to follow the route if the description had specified the number and colour of the MTB trails taken. But getting a bit lost often adds to the charm of the ride... As with all local rides, unfortunately, there were fallen trees left over from Storm Nils to work around... Nothing insurmountable, but a bit of a shame. 
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Apr 16, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
A lovely walk with beautiful scenery – watch out for mosquitoes.
Not difficult, but walking shoes are recommended.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of your route : Apr 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
I’ve done this hike six or seven times; I love it, especially if you stick to the path along the ponds, but for the past two years it’s been hellish – we’re overrun by mosquitoes that are getting bigger and bigger, and resistant to the insect repellents we’ve brought with us.
I don’t think I’ll carry on hiking on this island unless there’s a tramontane; that’s the only remedy.
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Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of your route : Dec 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
Short but beautiful views of the Bages pond.
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Very pleasant hike with magnificent views
Be careful at the end of the hike
Leave the trail or you'll end up with your feet in the water
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Dec 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
No problem, superb hike, fairly easy.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of your route : Nov 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
It was impossible to complete the entire route as the paths were flooded near the pond to the south and in the marshes at the end of the hike. We will do it again in another season.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Nov 09, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
Very beautiful hike, but the end of the route involved walking with your feet in the water for about 300 metres.
Be careful of the sea level.
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Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
a very pleasant hike. If you go in summer, start early in the morning at 7 a.m. because of the heat.
Thanks to the elevation, there are magnificent views of the ponds and heath.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Jun 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
A great hike through the heath, vineyards and ponds, with the sound of cicadas singing in the background! I set off early in the morning and enjoyed the pleasant breeze on this hot summer's day. A great walk that I extended with a tour of the Gruissan pond before cooling off at the beach chalets. The best!
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Overall rating : 3.3 / 5
Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes
Between 2 and 3, turn right before the shepherd's hut. The path climbs a little before descending into the valley. The descent is indeed rocky. We took the less steep option on the left, but caution is advised. Be careful in strong winds on the ridges. Beautiful views of the ponds. Avoid when it is too hot.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : May 19, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes
Lovely walk in May, 2 hours, very well signposted on Visiorando... still a bit muddy but easy to avoid.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : May 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
We passed through muddy and flooded stretches, but I strongly advise against it.
Lots of mosquitoes.
But: A very beautiful place that I would gladly do again, especially in spring!
It took us 3 hours 30 minutes with an almost 6 year old child!
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of your route : Apr 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No
Beautiful discovery of this island. You can't imagine such a variety of landscapes in such a small area: forests, meadows, escarpments, a profusion of flowers at this time of year (including orchids and ophrys), marshes in a variety of colours, not to mention the many superb views of the island's maritime environment.
No problem tracking with GPX.
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