Le Caroux - north face

Go to the hamlet of Héric, the starting point of the route (either from the gorges car park or from Douch).

(S/E) Leave the hamlet via the GR® (red and white markings) which climbs towards Douch. Follow it for a few metres, then don't miss the 90° intersection on the right (cairns and red markings) towards the Piste du Ravin des Hêtres, which climbs towards the Aiguilles du Caroux. Follow the GPX track carefully. The path climbs rapidly, zigzagging through the forest, then the slope levels out into a balcony before reaching the beech forest and the dry stream bed. Climb up this ravine, zigzagging along the cairns until you reach the top of the Ravin des Hêtres, at the foot of the Roc du Caroux.

(1) Off-route: make a round trip to the summit of Roc Caroux to enjoy a superb panorama above the Gorges d'Héric. Continue towards the Combe du Rieutort, named after the stream that flows down it.

(2) Turn right heading south, following the Piste Supérieure du Rieutord (blue markings). Leave the open combe and continue down a very steep descent over rocks. Ford the Rieutord at the foot of a waterfall (which you may be lucky enough to see flowing!). Continue downhill until you reach the junction with the Piste des Aiguilles (red markings).

(3) Take this trail on the right. It continues to descend, cutting across the contour lines until it reaches the Aiguille Viallat, a mecca for rock climbing in the Caroux.

(4) Continue along this track towards the Col du Curé. Pass the pass, descend rapidly, then the path becomes more horizontal, running along the base of the Aiguilles du Caroux. Ignore the various tracks leading in and out of this track, keep heading towards the red markings in the direction of Col de la Narquoise and reach it: a vast, open, flat overhang offering a 360° view of Héric and the gorges.

(5) Turn 90° to the left to descend via the Piste des Hirondelles (blue markings) towards the bottom of the Gorges d'Héric. The path is uneven and passes through a chaos of large boulders. Halfway down, you will reach a small plateau at the base of the Pouce cliff, a rock climbing spot.

(6) Leave the Piste des Hirondelles, stop descending, and walk along the bottom of the cliff on the Piste du Pouce (yellow markings). The flat section then gives way to a steep climb up a chimney, before levelling out again and descending gently into the forest, then the scree, the moorland and finally the terraces. You will arrive at the hamlet of Héric.

It is now time for you to either stop here if you are tired or continue on to the second part.

(S/E) Pass the Héric refreshment bar and descend via the GR® (white and red markings) towards the bottom of the gorges and Bardou. Reach the Roman bridge over the Héric and cross it.

(7) Leave the GR® and, just after the bridge, take the Piste Inférieure du Fourcat d'Héric on the right, which climbs diagonally through the forest. You will come to a junction with the Piste Supérieure du Fourcat d'Héric.

(8) Follow this trail, turning right (still following the blue markings). Descend a steep slope towards the river, its gorges and rapids! This little-known spot is a secret garden for fishermen and canyoning enthusiasts.

(9) Ford the river where possible, depending on the water level. Opposite, follow the blue markings to climb the slope through the terraces of the chestnut grove. After 300 metres of effort, you will reach the Sentier du Vialais (yellow markings), a much more clearly marked and easier path than the previous ones.

(10) Finish the hike by turning right onto this trail, which descends gently through the chestnut grove to Héric (S/E).

There are no water sources along the route, except at the start of the hike if the Héric refreshment bar is open (during the summer).

This is a route in the middle of nature with little traffic, so be careful and plan ahead, and make sure to tell your friends and family about your route.

There is little mobile phone coverage in the gorges and peaks.

Picturesque hamlet built from old stones in Héric.

Héric Gorges.

Aiguilles and Roc du Caroux.