Le Roc Tremblaïre

Between Aude and Hérault, this route alternates between flat and steep paths, crossing hills and plateaus between Bize-Minervois and Montouliers. On a balcony overlooking the Cesse valley, via the Travers de Verdeyre, let's set off to discover the Roc Tremblaïre before stopping at Montouliers for a break near its famous Roman fountain. The return journey, following a section ofthe GR®78combined with a Saint-Jacques slip road, allows you to overlook the Argeliers plain before arriving at Bize-Minervois.

Details

18481801
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 367 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 361 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 204 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 53 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Car park located after the roundabout, on the Agel road (D267).

(S/E) From the car park, follow this road to the concrete footbridge crossing the Cesse. The spot is ideal for swimming when there is enough water in summer, as the Cesse is a capricious river that disappears under the natural bridges of Minerve, a short distance away, during the dry season.

(1) On the other bank, turn right onto a lane lined with mulberry trees that joins the Chemin de l'Abeurado. Follow this road until you reach Rue des Prés on the right. Continue along the Chemin des Prés between vineyards and gardens towards the north-east. Stay on course, along a wall next to a beautiful house, then turn right towards the banks of the Cesse. Follow it on your right until you reach an intersection and a signpost:

GR ®78(white and red)

(2) Turn right and cross the river via a submersible concrete bridge. Go straight ahead at the crossroads and join the D26. Take it to the left for 100 m, then turn right onto theGR® marked path. Pass a sheepfold undergoing renovation, then go and explore a drystone shelter (drystone hut) in a wall on the left in the field (sign). Return tothe GR® until you reach a fork marked with a cairn.

End of signposting

(3) Turn left onto the path that descends into a wood. Pass the entrance to a property and cross the Ruisseau de la Miaille stream via a bridge before turning left to join the Montouliers road (D67).

(4) Cross the road to the path opposite. Pass below a vineyard, then go around it, starting to climb a stony path eroded by various streams. After a bend, the path levels out. Pass a car wreck near a crossroads. Ignore the marked path that branches off to the left and stay on the main path. You will come to a crossroads with a wide track (fire hydrant). Turn left and pass a DFCI water tank before arriving at a large crossroads.

(5) Take the wide path opposite, which goes around Travers de la Verdeyre, above the Cesse valley. Pass some new drystone shelters after a few hairpin bends in the forest. Leave the valley and reach a crossroads.

(6) Turn right towards "Roc Tremblaïre à 1 km" (sign). After two bends, you will reach a hairpin bend where you will notice an imposing 6-metre-high rock on your right.

(7) Head towards the rock. Pass its base and, after a left-hand bend, follow the steep path that climbs up the slope of the Verdeyre massif.

(8) At the edge of the cliff, turn right and look for old markers on the left that invite you to go around a wasteland in a clockwise direction. (Path prohibited by hunters during the hike - see practical information.)

(9) Look for a path to the left north of the cliff. Take this path and cross through a wood, descending for 350 m. You will come out at a bend in a track before a bridge. Turn left and climb slightly until you reach another hairpin bend.

(10) Then take the path on the right that runs along a ledge and then the Joncayrolle stream. Turn left at the intersection. Follow the path to the Montouliers Roman Fountain (a pleasant spot for a picnic). Return via the access road and head towards the village

Return toGR® 78

(11). Turn right before the bridge towards the Peyral housing estate. After a left/right turn between the houses, follow the small concrete road that curves around to cross the Ruisseau de Teisseyre. On the hillside, the tarmac ends and gives way to a dirt track. You will come to a crossroads where the Saint-Jacques slip road offers a shortcut to theGR®78, which branches off to the right. You will find the two markings again after a left-hand bend. Join the track coming from Bertalas and go around Mont Redon on the right before joining the track that goes around Mont Caramel. Leave theGR®78, which branches off to the right before the Saint-Hilaire crossroads (six paths - ruined sheepfold).

(12) Leave a "sporty alternative" on the right and continue straight ahead (south-west) along the PR® "Pierres et Oliviers" (yellow line). Pass the access to the Roc de Petit drystone shelter and a fork to the right. Continue along the balcony above the Argeliers plain (view of Canigou in good weather) below the Pech. Pass a covered picnic area (large tables) and arrive at the Fours à Chaux crossroads.

(13) Turn right, then left a few metres further on. Join a path coming from the left and head opposite, descending towards the village of Bize-Minervois. Pass above the old station, the terminus of the small Narbonne-Bize-Minervois line, on which a tourist train used to run. You will arrive at Chemin de Cacau.

(14) At the three-way junction, turn left onto Rue de la Cave Coopérative to reach the Agel road. Turn left to return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 55 m - Bize-Minervois - Rte d'Agel, towards the footbridge at - Cesse (rivière) - Affluent de l'Aude
  2. 1 : km 0.16 - alt. 53 m - Plane tree avenue on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.07 - alt. 58 m - Concrete footbridge
  4. 3 : km 1.96 - alt. 103 m - Junction (end of signposting)
  5. 4 : km 2.22 - alt. 79 m - Crossing the D67
  6. 5 : km 3.37 - alt. 189 m - Straight ahead at the bend in the track
  7. 6 : km 5.47 - alt. 100 m - Intersection (sign)
  8. 7 : km 5.86 - alt. 122 m - Access to Roc Tremblaïre
  9. 8 : km 6.14 - alt. 204 m - Junction at the top of the cliff
  10. 9 : km 6.43 - alt. 184 m - Path on the left
  11. 10 : km 6.92 - alt. 168 m - Hairpin bend - Path on the right
  12. 11 : km 7.86 - alt. 93 m - Junction with GR 78
  13. 12 : km 9.92 - alt. 164 m - Saint-Hilaire crossroads
  14. 13 : km 12.64 - alt. 112 m - Carrefour des Fours à chaux
  15. 14 : km 13.6 - alt. 57 m - Fork - Left
  16. S/E : km 13.81 - alt. 55 m - Bize-Minervois - Agel road

Notes

Beware of hunters (uncooperative on 16/01/22)
Positioned around the landmark (8) for "shooting on sight" (according to one of them) towards an open plot of land, they forced us to bypass the shooting area. We had to find a passage through a hedge (so we were more or less hidden!) to catch up with a red dirt track (IGN 169 coast - dotted path on the map further south), then the Montplo road instead of the marked and described path to reach the Roman Fountain. (Check with the town hall or avoid Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays from August to February)

Worth a visit

Built around 1500 on the banks of the Cesse, on the site of an old fortified castle, the Royal Manufactory of cloth for the soldiers of the King's army has been tastefully converted into holiday apartments under the name "Logis Colbert". Active until 1789, the factory did not survive the sale of national property in 1791. It was acquired in 1836 by the great-grandfather of the current owner, Mr. Mathieu. Today, successfully converted into holiday lodges, it stands proudly on the banks of the Cesse and contributes to the beauty of the village.

The Roc Tremblaïre is an impressive "menhir" or "standing stone" about five or six metres high, standing alone on a hillside below the Verdeyre massif. It is famous for the legend associated with it, well known to all the inhabitants of Bizos, from which it takes its name. Every year, it is said, on the summer solstice during the night of 21 June, or in winter at midnight on Christmas Eve, the rock trembles. If you are single, walk around it three times and you are sure to get married within the year. Some people believe it... others still test it out!

The Roman Fountain of Montouliers
This fountain is called "Roman" because the ancient road that passed through Montady, Quarante and Montouliers ran nearby. The Romans dug into the rock for almost fifty metres, creating a basin to
collect water from the surrounding hills. The date 1838 can be seen just above the tap. In the 19th century, the fountain was the only source of water for the inhabitants of Montouliers. The adjacent trough has seen many goats, sheep and horses pass by, and the "flip flop" sound you can hear is caused by water seeping through the wall.

 Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.4 / 5
Based on 17 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
User 25934558

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Several difficult sections not mentioned (steep descents on narrow, heavily eroded paths). Magnificent landscapes and beautiful medieval villages. Several landmarks mentioned in the description were not seen/found.

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bardenas
bardenas

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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

A nice climb after "Le Roc Tremblaire"
but short. Very pleasant route.

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iwanskivol
iwanskivol

Hello,
We went on this hike today. However, the passage between Chemin du Jeu de Mail and Chemin des Prés has been privatised and blocked off.
I therefore wrote the following letter to the mayor:
___
{{To the Mayor
Bize-Minervois Town Hall
Place aux Herbes
11120 Bize-Minervois

1 October 2024

Subject: Report of the illegal annexation of a public space between Chemin du Jeu de Mail and Chemin des Prés

Dear Mayor,

On Tuesday 1 October, my wife and I wanted to follow the VisoRando hike no. 18481801 entitled "Le roc tremblaire" starting from your municipality.

I am writing to bring to your attention a worrying situation concerning the illegal occupation of a public space in your municipality. The passage between Chemin du Jeu de Mail and Chemin des Prés appears to have been privatised in an irregular manner, preventing residents and users from moving freely along this section.

This is a public space which, until recently, allowed direct passage between these two paths. However, barriers and private installations have been put in place, making it impossible to freely access this route. This situation affects not only the mobility of local residents, but also pedestrian access to surrounding public spaces.

I therefore request your intervention to verify the legality of this privatisation and, if necessary, to take the necessary measures to restore continuity of passage. I remain at your disposal to provide any further information on the exact location of this space and the facts observed.

I thank you for your attention to this request and I am confident that you will act in the public interest to protect public heritage and ensure that users' rights are respected.

I look forward to your response. Yours faithfully,
___
All too often, public spaces are annexed, obstructed or privatised. In my humble opinion, such actions must be denounced...

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bernard coulomb
bernard coulomb

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike, mainly through forest, which allows you to discover the region's landscapes, culminating in the Roman fountain.
No problems following the route with GPS

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jean-marie falcoz
jean-marie falcoz

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Positive elevation gain greater than described

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Montréal Rando
Montréal Rando

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike, well marked and with beautiful scenery.
Well worth doing, Roc Tremblaïre, drystone shelters very well signposted.
Very good signage. A must-do.

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valdiet
valdiet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, beautiful scenery and a very pretty fountain! A bit of elevation gain but well distributed so you can recover.

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Anne-Marie2704
Anne-Marie2704

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful, well-marked hike (and with the help of GPS, we didn't get lost).
Medium difficulty +
Stunning, varied landscapes and the Roman fountain is simply magical.
I recommend it

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narbo118
narbo118

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful hike - Beautiful route
It's not easy to find the route after Roc Tremblaire at point 8 at the edge of the wasteland.
With a good sense of direction, we eventually found the route and arrived at the Roman fountain (superb!)
Tip: Avoid the path between points 12 and 13 in the heat of the day (no shade).

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(ath
(ath

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 23, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely circular from Bize, with varied landscapes and passages. There are options for minor variations. We passed west of Pech from point 12, on a small path, which was magnificent (I try to avoid large, wide tracks as much as possible). We did this hike in January in a small group in very cold weather to scout out a hike that I'm going to suggest to my club. The GPS track is useful because there are lots of paths and crossroads everywhere. Thanks to the creator of this hike.

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Guilhem nem
Guilhem nem

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike done early in the morning before the August heat sets in.

Suitable for all levels, the GPS track is a bonus even though the directions are accurate.

A beautiful view on a clear day.

Thank you, Viso!

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jeanmarieeliane
jeanmarieeliane

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

lots of paragliders and hikers arriving above Bize

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Giorgio0911
Giorgio0911
• Edited:

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

.

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La balade ferralaise
La balade ferralaise

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 06, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The GPS was very useful for following the route as there are many junctions.
A pleasant walk.
Varied route.

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jp11
jp11

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 26, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

For those who find the route too long or who are already familiar with the section between 12 and 13, which was damaged by fire, you can take the GR trail back at the Saint Hilaire crossroads (path on the right just before the crossroads) or the track on the right before the sports route and, a little further on, take a path on the right, marked in yellow at the Grande Borie crossroads. Turn right to descend directly to Bize.
No hunters this Thursday! Phew!

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