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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.
Technical sheet
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 8.91 km -
Average duration: 2h 50 -
Difficulty: Easy -
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Return to departure point: Yes -
Vertical gain: + 100 m -
Vertical drop: - 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
Practical information
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.
In the nearby area
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 : 3.3 / 5
Date of walk : Jun 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : 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 walk : May 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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 walk : May 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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 walk : Apr 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : 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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Overall rating : 4.3 / 5
Date of walk : Mar 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
A very nice tour at the beginning of March, with very few people. Easy to follow all the way. The last kilometre is muddy, by the water, with ruts.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Mar 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
A lovely walk for all the family.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of walk : Mar 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes
on 16/03/25 following the rain; on the way back 500m after point 7 we turned off towards the hamlet of Les Pujols to avoid the very greasy stretch along the lagoon, thus rejoining point 1.
Mosquitoes already!
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of walk : Feb 07, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No
calm, relaxing walk.
The last part was very wet but we were informed thanks to the warning points.
Thank you
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Feb 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
Magnificent circuit, varied and well laid out. Calm in this month of February. Thank you very much.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Dec 31, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
Very nice walk, with no difficulties.
Thank you for sharing.
These places are so beautiful!
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Dec 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
A very pretty walk with magnificent views
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Overall rating : 4 / 5
Date of walk : Nov 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes
Magnificent, varied images. We were sorry there wasn't more sun.
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of walk : Oct 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No
A very pleasant little walk, which I did at sunset, it was magnificent with the red sky reflected in the ponds. And totally deserted... or populated only by birds and pink flamingos.
Two quick notes: don't forget your mosquito repellent! Some places are infested. And above all: the advertised time of 2 hours 50 minutes seems to me to be greatly exaggerated. I walked quickly, taking the time to admire the scenery and take photos, and it took me 1h40.
Thanks for the route!
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Overall rating : 4.7 / 5
Date of walk : Aug 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes
A beautiful route with varied scenery.
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Overall rating : 5 / 5
Date of walk : Jun 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No
A very nice, varied walk. No major difficulties. To avoid the slightly steep descent at point 3, we continued along the path to catch up with piunt 4. Thank you for this beautiful route.
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Other walks in the area
Rossignol Mill at Armissan and the Marmorières Dovecot circuit
Walker 
8.19 km
+170 m
-165 m
2h 50
Moderate
Departure from Vinassan (Aude)
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