The Herretang bog

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In Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, there is a 6 km flat walk along a wetland discovery trail.

Technical sheet

n°684649
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 5.77 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy
  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 3 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 3 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 401 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 396 m
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Photos

Back to the lake
Flora of the Herretang Canal
Herrétang Canal
Herrétang peat bogs

Description of the walk

On the outskirts of Saint-Laurent, head towards Saint-Joseph-de-Rivière. Follow the signs for Tourbière de l'Herrétang.
Park in the car park.

(S/E) Cross the bridge to enter the wetland. Go to the crossroads of the circular.

(1) Turn left onto the path along the marshes. Follow the D520.

(2) Turn 90° to reach the crossroads of Les Tourbières and the canal of the same name.

(3) Turn left and follow the canal. Join the road and the water treatment plant.

(4) Return via the other bank of the canal, crossing it on the concrete bridge shortly before reaching the fork.

(3) Continue along the canal to the Marais crossroads. Turn right and head for the circular crossroads.

(1) Turn left and follow the same route back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 398 m - Parking at the Tourbière de l'Herrétang
  2. 1 : km 0.15 - alt. 397 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 1.38 - alt. 397 m - 90° turn
  4. 3 : km 1.9 - alt. 397 m - Canal crossroads
  5. 4 : km 3.04 - alt. 398 m - Wastewater treatment plant
  6. S/E : km 5.77 - alt. 398 m - Parking at the Tourbière de l'Herrétang

Practical information

No difficulty. Flat terrain and accessible by pushchair. Dogs are not allowed.

In the nearby area

Numerous signs with explanations about the history and inhabitants of the bog. Aubrac cows and Camargue horses in the marsh.
You can round off your outing with a climb to the Notre-Dame du Château chapel in Saint-Laurent-du-Pont.
However, this remarkable site is marked by a horrific event that occurred on All Saints' Day in 1970, when the 5-7 nightclub opposite burned down completely, killing 146 people. A memorial to the victims stands by the roadside, on the site of the nightclub.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5
Based on 16 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
JCParavy
JCParavy

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Visited the Herrétang peat bogs on Sunday, after a rainy spell, with the surrounding peaks still shrouded in mist.
Variations from the guidebook starting from the lake after St Joseph-de-Rivière to reach the Herretang Canal and its greenway through the forest, following it for a long time before going around the marsh via the discovery trail. The boardwalk crossing takes us back to the canal through the most characteristic areas and, after visiting the birdwatching hides, the return journey follows the Canal de l'Herrétang again to the stadium before returning to the car.
The weather remained grey, and the fauna and flora are limited at this time of year (a few birds, ducks, frogs, etc.).
I'll add a few photos anyway.

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Fenneca
Fenneca

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very pleasant walk with viewing points over the peat bog. Everyone respects the peace and quiet of the place: it's very moving

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Michelgalle
Michelgalle

Very nice walk
Worth repeating.⁹

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Wg91
Wg91

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : N/A
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Part of it is located near the busy D520 road... and that's where you'll find facilities for taking a break or having a picnic. Otherwise, it's a very beautiful walk, very easy and well laid out (wooden walkways).
I can confirm that there are two observatories open to the public at the end of the route (facing the ponds, not on the extension of the mill).
One is only one storey high, allowing you to observe the flora and fauna up close. Posters about dragonfly families were pinned up in the observatory, which made it even more interesting.
The other, a little further away, has two floors, providing a more comprehensive view of the ponds.
(Note that there is another observatory near the road, but it is not open to the public).

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Cyrane
Cyrane

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Busy trail : No

Too bad it's too close to a busy road.

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bernardino
bernardino ★

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 17, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A wonderful discovery of this peat bog, which also allows you to enjoy the many information panels about the flora and fauna of this protected area.

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fbarthelemy05
fbarthelemy05
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Clean and well-maintained trail.
Cormorants, grass snakes, dragonflies, Camargue horses and a variety of flora were all present.

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Mariefrez
Mariefrez

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : May 05, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

The trail at the beginning, when it runs alongside the road leading to St Laurent du Pont, is a little uninteresting, but it soon veers inland and, with a little luck, you can see frogs and birds.
There are two observatories where you can watch birds on the ponds

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phbenech
phbenech

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Oct 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A superb, flat walk in a well-maintained area.

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les A2
les A2

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 24, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Easy walk with children. Wildlife observation points along the route + information boards about marsh flora. It's a shame that hunters are allowed to walk within the perimeter, even though many more common restrictions are advertised.

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yssappey
yssappey

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Aug 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Family walk with no elevation gain.
Don't hesitate to continue on to the old tile factory when you reach point 4. The tarmac road on the right will take you there directly. Signs explain the organisation and history of the tile factory.

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jidoto
jidoto

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : May 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Nice walk, quite busy, please note that dogs are not allowed, even on a lead (protected sensitive area)

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DECARSIN
DECARSIN

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 27, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

Lovely route through the ponds. Nice description.
March is too early in the year to see dragonflies, frogs, or other insects.
You need to go later in the year.
But it was very pleasant.

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Claude R3.
Claude R3.

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

The description is correct, but it would be necessary to add the optional detour to the tile factory to be done as soon as you reach the Herretang Canal. Turn left towards the tile factory and return along the Herretang Canal to rejoin the main route. It would also be good to mention the possibility of seeing some common minnows in the Herretang Canal.

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Benoit Thebault
Benoit Thebault

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 12, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Very well documented route. Extend the hike to the tile factory before starting the return route. The site is very interesting from a historical and economic point of view. Can be done in all seasons to see the evolution of vegetation and animal life. Exceptional site from an ecological point of view.

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