The Gouffre de l'Œil Doux via Saint-Pierre

At the gates of Saint-Pierre-la-Mer, this hike leads to the Gouffre de l'Œil Doux via the small hamlet of Saint-Pierre. Heath, pine trees and vineyards form the backdrop to this circuit, which retains its wild character despite running along the edge of the seaside resort in its final section. The magnificent view of the sea, the Canigou and the Albères mountains will quickly make you forget how close you are.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.64 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 109 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 104 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 66 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1 m

Photos

Description of the walk

In Saint-Pierre-la-Mer, park in the car park on the edge of the D168 (Avenue des Cigales) at the bridge over the small inlet that connects the port to the Étang des Exals. This car park is on the left coming from Gruissan and on the right coming from Fleury. Other parking is available before or after the bridge depending on your direction of arrival.

Almost the entire route is unmarked. The few exceptions are mentioned in the Practical Information section.

(S/E) Turn your back to the road and the sea and head towards the ponds and the footbridge with the inlet on your right. Turn left onto a stony path closed by a barrier, which you must go around. Follow a ditch on your right, then cross it by turning right. Continue for a few dozen metres on the left and turn sharply right.

Stay on the wide main path, keeping the pond at a distance and ignoring several paths on both sides. When you reach a crossroads, keep to the right.

(1) About 60 metres further on, ignore the path on the right, which will be the return route, and continue straight ahead on a slight incline. Stay on the main path and continue in the same direction until you reach a T-junction. On the left are vineyards and rocky outcrops that mark the edge of the Saint-Pierre heath; on the right is a small cemented area.

(2) Turn right onto the path that narrows as it enters the heath. At the nearby fork, marked by a solitary pine tree, keep left towards the clearly visible steep path. Cross it and continue on flat ground until you reach another fork (cemented water intake on the right).

Turn left, then left again onto the track, passing a few beehives on your right before reaching another junction located directly below four majestic pine trees. Turn right.

(3) Cross the track and continue diagonally opposite. Keep right at the next junction and continue straight ahead to quickly begin a short descent from where you will begin to see the red-tiled roofs of the hamlet of Saint-Pierre, nestled in its valley.

(4) In the hamlet, ignore the paved access road on the right and continue straight ahead, passing the inn and its car park. At the fork at the corner of a vineyard, go straight ahead uphill, cross a small pass and descend through a beautiful pine forest to a crossroads.

(5) Ignore the path on the right, continue for about 20 metres, then turn right onto another narrower path. Turn right again at the next intersection (not very marked), pass a few properties and fenced-off plots on your left before reaching the Fleury road (D1118).

Cross with great caution (reduced visibility when exiting the bend) and follow the road on the right, using the shoulder where possible. Continue to the Gouffre de l'Œil Doux car park.

(6) Do not enter the car park, but take the wide path on the left just before it. Walk along the picnic area under the pine trees and continue straight ahead until you reach the first information sign about the chasm, located at a fork in the road.

Turn right, following the wooden sign. After a short climb, the path levels out before arriving at the Gouffre de l'Œil Doux site.

(7) Several accessible points on the left allow you to get close to the edge and enjoy a bird's eye view of the chasm. Caution! None of these small lookout points are secured, and extra caution is required as the cliff is 40 metres high. Not recommended if accompanied by children.

Continue walking past the second sign and follow a narrow path, which is very rough for the first few metres, around the chasm. Ignore the small paths on the right that lead away from it and continue to the third sign, which is identical to the first two.

Continue straight ahead with the Ecomuseum building in sight and, when you reach the crossroads just opposite, turn right to enter between two vineyards. Continue straight ahead at the next crossroads, follow the last vineyard on your left and then turn right (sign for the protected site of Oustalet with a sign in the opposite direction). Follow the wide, flat path that leads to a paved road opposite the Pissevaches campsite.

Turn right and continue for about 100 metres.

(8) Head right towards an open space, passing between large boulders that prevent vehicle access (no dumping sign a few metres away). Pass two large boulders and you will come to a fork where you have two options. On the right, the path climbs up Combe Barboussière and on the left, the path heads towards the housing estates. Take the second option.

After a short steep climb, the path levels out and runs close to the houses. At the corner of the last housing estate, turn right to take a wider track that moves away from the buildings while continuing in the same direction.

Go straight ahead at the first crossroads, do the same at the second (not shown on the map) and continue to the Fleury road (D1118).

(9) Stop here to admire the view of the sea, the Albères mountains and Canigou blocking the horizon. Then cross the road carefully and head diagonally to the right towards a cement water intake, which you follow along a very stony path.

Pass a second water intake (number 602 painted on it) and you will come to a wide track (elevation 47) where you should turn left, heading south. When you reach a vineyard, turn right and follow it to the end of Avenue des Goélands.

(10) Ignore this road and follow a path on the right that descends steeply towards the waste disposal site below and leads to its tarmac access road. Continue for about 50 metres, turn right towards the ponds and follow them.

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

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 2 m - Parking on the side of the D168
  2. 1 : km 0.74 - alt. 5 m - Crossroads of the loop
  3. 2 : km 1.18 - alt. 16 m - Path on the right
  4. 3 : km 1.8 - alt. 51 m - Drivable track
  5. 4 : km 2.54 - alt. 40 m - Hamlet of Saint-Pierre
  6. 5 : km 3.12 - alt. 47 m - Pine forest, crossroads
  7. 6 : km 3.83 - alt. 36 m - Parking at the Gouffre de l'Oeil Doux
  8. 7 : km 4.64 - alt. 37 m - Gouffre de l'Œil Doux
  9. 8 : km 6.02 - alt. 2 m - Rock blocks on the right
  10. 9 : km 7.57 - alt. 43 m - Route de Fleury (D1118)
  11. 10 : km 8.3 - alt. 30 m - End of Avenue des Goélands
  12. S/E : km 9.64 - alt. 2 m - Parking on the side of the D168

Notes

This hike is best done in the direction described to enjoy the view of the sea, the Albères and the Canigou at the end of the route.

Signposting

The hike is not marked, except for the following two sections.
1/ Between (6) and the first information sign for the Gouffre de l'Oeil Doux (about 100 metres).
2/ Between the crossroads after the last vineyard at the Oustalet site and the tarmac road leading to (8): pictograms of two hikers painted in white on a blue background (approx. 400 m).

No water sources have been found along the route. Bring plenty of water as many sections are in direct sunlight.

Low or high-top hiking boots are recommended. Several rocky sections.

Gouffre de l'Œil Doux

Several large signs remind visitors of the safety precautions to follow on the site and the prohibition of swimming in the small lake. Instructions to be followed at all times: dangerous site.
This hike is not recommended for children.

Alternative

You can walk around the Étang de Pissevache to observe a wide variety of bird species.
To do this, do not go as far as the (8) but turn left at the hairpin bend onto the Chemin de Pissevaches, follow the tennis courts on your right and join the discovery trail. Walk around the pond in a clockwise direction and, once you reach the southern tip, follow the wide straight path that returns to the Chemin de Pissevaches and turn left. Continue straight ahead at the crossroads to return to the (8) and follow the description from there.

Worth a visit

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 49 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
jltiss34
jltiss34

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route, with the chasm as spectacular as ever to discover.
The only downside is at the start before point 1, when you cross the ditch on a culvert and walk along the pond. Avoid taking the path 20 metres from the culvert that climbs straight up the hill, as the route map might suggest, and follow the wide path instead.
Otherwise, it's crystal clear, with no problem finding your way.

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bruclar
bruclar

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The gorge is very beautiful and quite popular. To finish off this lovely little family hike, we took the discovery trail at point 8 along the edge of the Pissevache pond to avoid the rubbish tip, and returned via the beach, then along the cycle path that runs alongside the beach and the superb, very pleasant seaside promenade to reach the port. The view of Canigou and Albères is very nice there.

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le Gaulois d'Oc
le Gaulois d'Oc
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Only a small part, because of strong north wind.
A great pity...
It was just to show the setting and the landscape to two members of the family who had come from Dignes les Bains.

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Alain Plaisance
Alain Plaisance

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very detailed description, which means that even though this hike is not marked, you can't get lost with the directions provided. Passage through the Gouffre is very interesting and now fairly well protected. On the way back, we preferred to go along the coast.
Thank you for suggesting this very interesting hike.

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pescalune
pescalune

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

i really enjoyed the route with the sea view, and the highlight was the Gouffre de l'Oeil Doux – a great place

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Loïc62880
Loïc62880

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A very beautiful hike with some elevation gain. A few rocky paths and climbs that could be challenging for those with weak ankles, but otherwise a very beautiful environment.

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papou26200
papou26200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, fairly busy walk to the chasm, but then not many people after that. The return through the woods is pleasant. Thank you for this hike.

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murielledelas
murielledelas

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you very much for sharing. We had a wonderful time in a beautiful place!

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Philippe sla
Philippe sla

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with beautiful scenery. It's a shame there aren't any signposts. The end of the route isn't very interesting.
Still worth doing, though.

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Vm11
Vm11

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

The start of this superb hike was great, arriving at the magnificent Œil Doux, but the last hour and 15 minutes weren't great. We arrived at the Pierre campsite, then walked along a housing estate for a long time where everyone let their dogs off the leash, and ended up at the rubbish tip! In my opinion, go as far as the Œil Doux and then turn back.
Disappointed with this hike

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rbor1000
rbor1000

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We just found some people around the Gouffre de l'Oeil Doux.
A very beautiful hike, easy to follow with the GPX route, very pleasant.
There were people around the chasm, but the rest of the walk was pretty quiet.

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Celine73
Celine73

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy route to follow despite the lack of signposting, beautiful views. The circuit is fairly sheltered from the wind

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Stefetlo
Stefetlo

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Great hike with breathtaking views, but the path was very rocky and there were no signs or markers
We took the wrong path at the end because the path that took us behind the houses led us to a cliff, and the app only started ringing 500 metres further on... The only downside to this great route!

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Sophie241270
Sophie241270
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that allows you to discover the vegetation and landscapes of the Clape massif, with a very beautiful passage at the Gouffre l'Oeil Doux.

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rikske
rikske

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful route through the vineyards, with stunning scenery. There is a beautiful view of the chasm from above, but you have to see it from below, which involves a climb back up to return to the route.

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