Le Roc de la Vigne and Le Mas d'Agre

A beautiful walk in the hills above Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, starting from the Lacan plain and its menhir, which leads us to a sublime viewpoint above the Hérault gorges. From here, there is a 360° view of the Mediterranean, Pic Saint-Loup, Ventoux in the distance and the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, Mont Aigoual, Le Vissou, Canigou and the Pyrenees. Magnificent!

Details

n°514595

Creation:
19 Mar 2017

Last update:
30 Aug 2021

Last review:
20 Jan 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 10.81 km
Average duration: 4h 25
Difficulty: Moderate
Back to start: Yes
Ascent: + 467 m
Descent: - 471 m
Highest point: 706 m
Lowest point: 326 m

Country: France
Areas: Cévennes, Massif central, Séranne
District: Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert (34150)
Start/End: N 43.778473° / E 3.542651°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2642ET
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Description of the walk

(S/E) Park near the Lacan Menhir and head east-northeast, following the path to a crossroads with a cistern.

(1) Take the track on the right for about 300 metres until you reach a path that descends to the left.

(2) Follow it until you reach a fork on the right where you will find a cairn.

(3) Follow the path on the right, which climbs for about 300 metres through pine trees at first, then scree, to the summit of Roc de la Vigne.

(4) From there, on the rock where the triangulation point is located at 709 metres, you have a 360° view of Mont Aigoual to the north, Canigou and the Pyrenees to the west, the Mediterranean to the south and Pic Saint-Loup, Mont Ventoux and the snow-capped peaks of the Alps to the east. Magnificent! Descend via the same path to the cairn.

(3) Turn right (north-east) onto the ledge path until you reach a hairpin bend on the left next to a "Beware of fire" sign.

(5) Follow this path northwards, first descending towards a valley, then climbing up a small rocky ridge before descending to an old well and the ruins of Mas d'Agre. Some of the stone structures are worth a look, as are the remains of the bread oven (be careful as some stones and beams are in danger of falling).

(6) Starting from Mas d'Agre, take the path to the left of the building with the oven, heading north/north-west (the path is not very well trodden and not very visible: follow the GPS track carefully). Shortly after a metal pidgeon hunting hut structure, you will reach a crossroads with two paths. Take the one on the left towards the south-west. Follow this path to a large clearing on a plateau and take the path on the right heading north (cairn) to rejoin the path on the ridge that descends into the forest towards the^PR® which runs alongside the Ruisseau de Font Basse. the path marked on the IGN map between the crossroads after the pidgeon hunting hut and the start of the descent into the forest is lost in the vegetation and no longer exists)

(7) Take the^{PR® trail} to the left (south-west), which climbs for about 3 km to the D122 road.

(8) Take the D122 on the left, climbing up the Col des Lavagnes (559m) to the junction with the Chemin de Lacan (Mas Aubert stopover lodge).

(9) Follow the path to the left until you reach the Lacan menhir (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 564 m - Departure from Menhir de Lacan
1 : km 1.78 - alt. 597 m - Cistern
2 : km 2.13 - alt. 597 m - Due south
3 : km 3.31 - alt. 645 m - Cairn
4 : km 3.56 - alt. 706 m - Roc de la Vigne
5 : km 5.08 - alt. 531 m - Towards Mas d'Agre
6 : km 6.36 - alt. 500 m - Mas d'Agre
7 : km 8.04 - alt. 326 m - PR de Pégairolle de Buège
8 : km 9.89 - alt. 521 m - Junction with the D122
9 : km 10.53 - alt. 547 m - Lacan trail
S/E : km 10.81 - alt. 564 m - Arrival at the Lacan Menhir

Notes

Be careful between the points (6) and (7), as the quality of the trail means you can consider yourself to be off-trail. To avoid getting lost, you have two options:

1. Be fully proficient in orienteering techniques, map reading and compass use.
2. Use a virtual marking system such as GPS or the Visorando GPS app.

There is a water source at Font Basse (not guaranteed to be drinkable), so it is wise to bring water with you as it is a long route.

Worth a visit

The destination of the walk is, of course, the Roc de la Vigne, which is not to be missed.
The Mas d'Agre, probably dating from the 19th century, is an ideal place for a picnic; it even has an oven where you can light a fire for barbecuing.
The Menhir de Lacan is also not to be missed.

Reviews and comments

4.1 / 5

Based on 27 reviews

Reliability of the description
3.8 / 5

Ease of following the route
3.9 / 5

Route interest
4.6 / 5

lou.couyonat

20 Jan 2025 at 10:54 3600

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent views throughout the route. Panoramic views from the top of Roc de la Vigne and very varied vegetation!

Very peaceful route except at the top of Roc de la Vigne.

Fairly shaded route. Bring plenty of water in summer.

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jougla jean michel

30 Dec 2024 at 11:15 3600

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

After Mas d'Agre, the poorly marked trail, which has been ravaged by wild boars, is very difficult to follow.
It is essential to have the help of Visorando and GPS. Despite this, we got lost in steep, bushy slopes, which made the journey longer.
The view from Roc de la Vigne is exceptional in good weather... We could see the Pyrenees mountain range.
A beautiful outing, but a little tiring!

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pierrot 34

25 Nov 2024 at 11:30 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Follow the trail carefully because after Mas d'Agre, it is recommended to use a GPS for approximately 300 metres.
(specified in the description). Lovely views. We parked 500 metres after the Menhir because there were hunters in their hides. A beautiful hike

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Bob-Olobim

15 Apr 2024 at 09:51 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

As you approach the vineyard rock, before point 3, there are two successive kerns 200 metres apart. The first marks a path that descends to the right, while the second marks the path to the summit, which ascends to the right. A superb hike, but remember to bring sunscreen as the first 3 km are without shade. Magnificent views.

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Fernandez Benjamin

25 Jan 2024 at 19:23 3600

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We missed the trail after Mas d'Agre (point 6). We followed some markings that turned out to be a line of hunting posts following the stream further east. This made things a bit difficult, with steep slopes and thick undergrowth. The route ended up being 15 km long. But hey, adventure is adventure. See you soon on the trails.

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lemarcheur65

10 Apr 2023 at 15:46 7200

Hello, lazybones
Previous message deleted

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Traines savates

10 Apr 2023 at 15:27 7200 • Edited: 10 Apr 2023 at 15:45 7200

Delete my previous message. It concerns another hike, not this one

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domichado

28 Mar 2022 at 09:09 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Network problem towards Mas d'Agre. But we manage to follow the indicated route.

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Frederi

07 Mar 2022 at 14:32 3600

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 07, 2022
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, very well marked.

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bateke

24 Feb 2022 at 10:39 3600

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike. At level 3, a first cairn with a path leading off to the right can be confusing (even though the path descends rather than ascends). You must continue to the second cairn, where there is a path that ascends to the right.
Otherwise, a very beautiful hike. Thank you to its organiser.

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jeanprevost

20 Sep 2021 at 19:58 7200

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 20, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There is one important point that can be confusing.
When you have passed the vineyard rock and start to descend, when you reach the "caution fire" sign, take the hairpin bend, continue for 20 to 30 metres, then take a well-marked path on the right heading due north, which will take you to the farmhouse
Then follow the same path that passes to the left of the farmhouse

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Alaindecaux

29 Aug 2021 at 21:40 7200

Hello,
Following your misadventure and that of others, I returned to the trail today and tried to clarify it between points 6 and 7. I hope I have made it easier for future hikers on this wonderful trail.
Best regards

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Alaindecaux

29 Aug 2021 at 20:56 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 29, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello,
I created this hike a few years ago and, following negative reviews about the section between points 6 and 7, I retraced it today to try to clarify the route. I hope I have succeeded, for everyone's enjoyment. As this route is not marked, it is necessary to follow the GPS track closely.
Best regards.

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PatetSab

23 May 2021 at 21:27 7200

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, but without the Visorando app on our phones, we would never have found the path after Le Mas...

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Joël Jacobi

02 Mar 2021 at 19:14 3600

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 01, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Like other hikers who have posted their comments, I was unable to find the "right" path to descend from Mas d'Agre to the Font Basse stream.
There are three reasons for this.
1. If I am to believe the comments, the path is neither marked nor very clear.
2. I must have a very poor sense of direction.
3. The GPS wasn't working, or was working very poorly. Under these conditions, it was impossible to find the "red trail" that would have allowed me to reach point 7.

Conclusion. After multiple unsuccessful attempts, I decided to go "straight down" through the thickets. I took two tumbles because the slope is steep and the ground slippery. I also encountered some brambles that left me with a few scratches.

But I finally found the river about 600 metres east of point 7.

Despite all this, I found the walk superb and fairly easy. And I did it in 4 hours and 50 minutes, including a picnic and my "wanderings".

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Other walks in the area

Hermitage of Notre-Dame de Belle Grâce and Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert from Les Lavagnes

Departure from Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert (Hérault)

This hike takes you across the Seranne massif from north-west to south-east, offering a panoramic view of Saint-Guilhem dominated by its castle. You can visit the village and the abbey before climbing high up the path of an ancestral procession.

For more walks, use our search engine .

The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.

Author

Alaindecaux
5 Walks

Visorando member

District: Caux (34720)

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