Le Poujol-sur-Orb walks

From Poujol-sur-Orb to the Forêt Domaniale des Écrivains Combattants, with ascents via the Croix des Baussels, Combes and theGR®7, and a descent through the village of Le Vernet and then La Borie Basse.

This varied route takes you first to the pretty hamlet of Torteillan, a true haven of peace, then, after a short climb under oak and chestnut trees, to the village of Combes. The route then follows a path leading to the Col des Princes, which rises to 588 m and is well known to cyclists. Via tracks, paths and trails, it leads to the (ruined) Chapel of Saint-Vital and the Roc de Bessède, where you can enjoy a magnificent view, at an altitude of 573 m, of the surrounding mountains and the villages of L'Horte and Taussac below.

This route runs entirely through the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park. It passes through two typical villages and offers numerous panoramic views of the Orb Valley, the Monts d’Orb, the Montagne de l’Espinouse and the Caroux Plateau. Charles Péguy, Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, Paul Nizan (Les chiens de garde), Robert Desnos and hundreds of others await us in the Forêt Domaniale des Écrivains Combattants.

A pleasant walk that climbs slightly at the start of this circuit through oak trees, leading to the small Notre-Dame de Capimont Sanctuary, a true haven of peace and coolness. Overlooking the Orb and Bitoulet valleys, you will be in the shade during hot weather and a panoramic view awaits you there.

E12th-century Romanesque chapel with a17th-century hermitage attached, it bears witness to the religious past of the neighbouring villages. Behind the building, a steep path leads to a small chapel at the top of a monumental staircase: this is the Chapel of Sainte-Anne, mother of Our Lady. From the esplanade in front of the church, there is a superb panoramic view stretching from Carlencas to Caroux and from Pic de la Coquillade to Orb. An orientation table helps you to locate this environment.

This challenging hike will take you along steep paths to the ruins of Mourcairol Castle and Saint-Michel Chapel, then on to the magnificent ruins of Cabrerolles Castle.

This trail in the Forêt Domaniale des Écrivains Combattants allows you to discover megalithic tombs.

Magnificent views that must be earned.Route through the Saint-Michel National Forest: forest of oak and mixed species, along small paths that are quite steep in places.

A summit between the high cantons of Hérault and the wine-growing plain.

This route combines historical discoveries with breathtaking views, allowing you to see the destination of the hike before you.

An exceptional circular walk above the torrent of Arles where you can discover a cave dwelling and a superb Cervennes collection in the hamlet of Fage.

A different kind of hike in the Gorges de Colombières. The ascent along the left bank of the Ruisseau d’Arles offers a more challenging hike than the PR® route, which lies further to the east and leads to the same spot. Almost uninterrupted views of the gorge throughout the climb allow you to see the western slope of the Gorges. Another way to explore them. 

A memorial to all the writers who fought in the two world wars. The war cross carved with stars by the paths lined on either side with steles bearing the names of writers who fought during those periods. An iconic forest site that immerses us in a haven of greenery and peace. It is also a good idea to visit the top of the Colombières gorges and its climbing spots to get a perspective of the surrounding environment.

A challenging hike crossing the massif at mid-height. Magnificent views over a succession of valleys and combs connecting the Colombières Gorges to the Héric Gorges. Alternating ascents, descents and flat sections in wooded environments followed by very rocky sections. Two passages equipped with ladders and a few slightly exposed passages, but no particular difficulty. Recommended on days with strong north-westerly winds as the route is well sheltered.

This is a demanding hike with a long, very steep section covering a significant elevation gain from Esquino d'Aze to Tour Verte, but that's par for the course when climbing the south face of Caroux! Beautiful views of this remarkable rocky landscape forming a vertical barrier between the hills of Saint-Chinianais and the Caroux plateau. However, you need to be experienced in walking on rough, unmarked trails.

Located in the Haut Languedoc Natural Park, the two massifs of Caroux and Espinouse offer a multitude of hikes. I suggest a two-day circuit that allows you to explore a variety of landscapes and admire the abundant wildlife (including mouflons). The hike starts from the car park below the church in Colombières sur Orb. The bivouac area is located around the summit of Espinouse. The second day is spent returning via the Heric Gorges, with the option of a final detour to the old chestnut groves on the mountainside.

Day one: Climb up the Colombières Gorges towards the Caroux massif. Cross the Caroux massif towards Douch, then follow the Vialais stream before climbing back up to the Espinouse massif and settling down for the night.

The route can be described as moderately difficult. After a short warm-up stretch through the Forêt des Écrivains Combattants to a megalithic tomb, then crossing the hamlet of Madale, this circular route continues around the Serre de la Cabrière via a track that turns into a balcony path offering beautiful views of the Madale and Colombières Gorges and the Moulin de la Fage.

The Caroux is a mountain range with steep slopes and significant elevation changes. The plateau is dotted with purple heather and peat bogs. It overlooks the Orb valley and the Colombières, Héric and Bardou gorges. The 360° panorama stretches from the Montagne de l'Espinouse to the Pyrenees with the Gulf of Lion in the background. This is the most beautiful stage of this itinerary due to its location in the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park.

Hike through holm oaks and heath at the edge of the hinterland. It allows you to climb a certain height with ease (gentle slope) before descending "abruptly" via the Chemin de la Bouissonade (an old Roman road) lined with stone walls.

This is the first circuit in a "pentalogy" of routes along the slopes and cliffs of Caroux, offering superb panoramic views and cliffs in a very mineral environment consisting of ledges and ridges. The loop starts from the hamlet of La Fage and follows the upper part of the Colombières Gorges, before heading horizontally below the Caroux plateau, at the foot of the climbing cliffs. The climb back up to the plateau is near the orientation table, before returning via the south-eastern edge of the plateau.

This hike will allow you to discover different aspects of the Caroux area: fields of heather, the Bosc de Madale forest and the more mineral landscape of the Colombières gorges with magnificent views of the Caroux walls. During this circular route, you will see several vestiges of past human activity: the old Delbourg quarries, before reaching the sécadou (where chestnuts were once dried).

Halfway up the Caroux Plateau. Please note: this hike is for fairly experienced walkers, but offers spectacular views.

A lovely circular route starting from the hamlet of Rosis, which circles the mountain of the same name, featuring a wide variety of trails, alternating between ledges and viewpoints, gorges and torrents, and passing successively through the cols d’Aussière and de Vente-Vieille, the Mouscaillou ridge, the Serre d’Esparic, the Caramaus ridge, and the gorges of Aussières and Casselouvre. All this whilst passing through the pretty stone-built hamlets of Rosis and Cours-le-Haut.

This hike uses part of each Visorando route entitled "La Tour du Pin - Vieussan" and "circular at Le Pin". They are done in reverse, allowing you to do most of the trail at the beginning. Large sections of the route offer interesting views.

This hike offers beautiful views of the foothills of the Massif Central and the plain to the south, with the Orb valley winding at the foot of the slope, and to the north, facing the Carroux massif and the Gorges d'Héric.

A lovely walk through rolling countryside, among vineyards and cherry trees, accessible to most people.