Le tour du Mas Dieu

Le Mas Dieu, situated in the centre of this small heath, was a stop on the Way of St James but also on the salt-traders’ route, who transported salt from Frontignan or Villeneuve-lès-Maguelonne towards Auvergne. With the decline of these two activities, by the end of the 19th century it was nothing more than a sheepfold, although the Montpellier–Lodève railway line ran through it. Having become a hunting lodge for local hunters in the 20th century, it nearly disappeared in 1991 when Montpellier considered converting it into a final waste disposal site. After numerous projects to save it, a complex of buildings fitted with rooftop solar panels was constructed there. Unfortunately, there is no road infrastructure connecting it to the motorway or the railway; only the ballast remains.

It is also possible to start from the car park of the former Saint-Paul-et-Valmalle wine cooperative, following the old railway line to crossing point number 3.

Details

62580924
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 8.31 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 35 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 78 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 74 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 194 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 115 m

Photos

Description of the walk

On the M27, between Murviel-lès-Montpellier and Montarnaud, take the DFCI AUE3 track on the left. Park in the open area to the right or left of the track. Do not park in tall grass, as there is a risk of fire.

(S/E) Follow the DFCI track downhill.

(1) At the first junction, take the path on the right towards the olive trees and the high-voltage power lines. Pass under the lines, go past the olive trees, cross a patch of heath, then turn right at the corner of the vineyard and follow it along.

(2) At the crossroads, take the path diagonally to the right, moving slightly away from the second vineyard. At the hairpin bend, continue straight on for 5 m to reach the old Montpellier-Rabieux railway line.

(3) Turn right and continue to the D27.

(4) Cross the road carefully and continue straight ahead along the old railway line for over 2 km.

(5) Leave the path on your right – which could serve as a shortcut to Mas Dieu – and carry straight on.

(6) Take the path that opens up on the right about 200 m before the D102. Turn right again at the first junction. Then turn right onto the path leading towards the solar panels and join the Mas Dieu track.

(7) Take the track on the left, go straight on at the nearby junction: watch out for dogs in the park on the left.

(8) Make a quick first turn left then right to take the south-west-facing path that follows the route of the gas pipeline. Pass under the power lines and continue straight on.

(9) Turn left and continue south-west to join the D27.

(10) Cross the road carefully towards the pumping station and take the first path immediately on the left, which leads straight back down to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 187 m - Car park
  2. 1 : km 0.14 - alt. 181 m - Crossroads, on the right
  3. 2 : km 1.75 - alt. 151 m - Turn right
  4. 3 : km 2.15 - alt. 144 m - Old railway line
  5. 4 : km 2.58 - alt. 150 m - D27
  6. 5 : km 4.57 - alt. 120 m - Crossroads, straight ahead
  7. 6 : km 5.18 - alt. 115 m - Path on the right
  8. 7 : km 6.45 - alt. 128 m - Mas Dieu Trail
  9. 8 : km 6.86 - alt. 152 m - Gas pipeline
  10. 9 : km 7.75 - alt. 187 m - Turn left
  11. S/E : km 8.31 - alt. 188 m - Car park

Reviews and comments

4 / 5
Based on 6 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
Route interest
3.2 / 5
ch baudouin
ch baudouin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 26, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

"Plan B" hike, nice but not particularly interesting except for a leisurely walk.

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lucCh
lucCh

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Very busy route : No

Very easy hike (who added the "difficult descent" point? It's laughable...)
No signposts, but with the VisoRando app, no problem
Unfortunately, the landscape is very ugly, with high-voltage power lines and the motorway. And noisy (because of the motorway).
So ultimately, there are much more beautiful hikes on the Cause d'Aumelas, despite the high-voltage power line that crosses it.

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Celale
Celale

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The path doesn’t offer much shade (it was quite hot) and part of it is stony, but it’s a lovely walk that allowed us to spot some horses and a fox (but no dogs). We took a wrong turn when leaving the stables (we were chatting and stayed on the main path instead of turning left). The Visorando guide is well-detailed and the estimated duration is spot on.

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Cap Dan
Cap Dan

Thank you for your kind comments.

Best regards
Dan

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patrick.morisse
patrick.morisse

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 walk suitable for everyone, with no particular difficulties. Best avoided in bright sunshine as there is little shade.
Best regards
Patrick

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Magicvisorando
Magicvisorando

Hello.
I can confirm the previous messages regarding the presence of dogs.
We found the walk pleasant and very easy.
Kind regards
Chabal

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Bourdon34
Bourdon34

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The dogs at Mas Dieu spoil the enjoyment of the walk a bit, as one of them wasn’t on a lead. I’m not so surprised that a lovely stretch of path isn’t used by mountain bikers – it’s a shame

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Magicvisorando
Magicvisorando

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 23, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello
This route should not be undertaken in hot weather.
Please continue to watch out for dogs.
Best regards

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