Circuit around the Pic Saint Loup

blanblann's comment is not only wrong, it's irresponsible. This route is literally dangerous, and not just for people prone to vertigo. For the others, who won't be impressed by the precipice they'll occasionally brush up against on the right, the danger lies in the fact that, on the ascent, it's no longer a hike, but quite simply a climb. In other words, you'd better be warned, because not everyone can do it...
Is the route easy to follow? No. Even though I have a good "sense of direction", as they say, I couldn't interpret the signs from point 4 onwards. If at any point you find yourself on a steep slope in the middle of light-coloured scree close to the cliff, turn back: earlier, you should have gone left, not right... Fortunately, there are a lot of people around, so ask after each fork to make sure you're on the right track. And once you're on the ascent, don't lose sight of the yellow dots. At the very top, there are around 500m to go before you reach the cross, which you can't see at any point. I followed the ridge as closely as I could (was there a better way? I don't know...).
I only gave the route 4 stars because the difficulty of finding your way around and the difficulty of reaching the summit somewhat detract from the pleasure of discovering a panorama that can be enjoyed much more easily by climbing directly from Cazevieille...

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Very nice hike.... you'll need to put your hands in often

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I'd recommend it 100%. Nice little walk with incredible views all the way round the peak. Contrary to some of the comments, the ridges are very passable and without major risk. From point 1 to point 6, you pass through the forest around the peak before tackling a short climb up the ridges. All the rocks provide good support. You may come across some goats on the ridges. At the summit you can enjoy a 360-degree view before returning down the classic (and very busy) path. It's a fairly leisurely 3.5-hour walk, so you'll definitely want to do it again.

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I recommend this hike, which is very pretty, although you need to be sporty and bring water as the climb is steep, but the first part of the hike is very easy.
I was dreading the ridges, given the comments and the description, but there was just one moment when I wasn't very reassured. Otherwise, the path isn't stuck to the void, although you still have to be careful.

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A great classic for Montpellier residents. Beautiful views from the summit.
I didn't take the path along the ridges, which I found difficult and dangerous, although it is possible to continue along the Gr as far as the junction for the final climb.
Pic Saint Loup is very popular at weekends with hikers coming directly from Cazevieille and back.
The last part is therefore very popular on weekends. This is a fairly stony path, so wear good shoes.
Keep an eye on your GPS at the start of the route to make sure you stay on the right track.

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Done on Tuesday 11/03 with 15 well-informed hikers. Lovely hike, ideal weather, few people on the uphill section of the peak (on a Tuesday in March). We chose this option because of the heavy rainfall at the weekend and the number of participants.

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Passages where the path is very, very gullied.
Difficult route to follow around the tower, before the passage on the north face and then after crossing the ridge on the south face. The route that follows the ridge is very difficult. It is best to follow the path up from Saint Mathieu de Treviers.

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Beautiful hike with superb scenery. Good shoes and plenty of water, especially in summer!
I did this hike before the cross at the summit changed. I'll be going back to take more photos.

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We did this walk from the village car park. The weather was poor (foggy). You sometimes have to use your hands to get up in certain places and walk on large boulders that can be slippery. The view was fairly clear on the seaward side, but foggy on the inland side (we couldn't see the precipice).

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Nice, easy hike up to the ridge.
Dangerous climb with little or no signposting. Very dangerous ridge: for experienced walkers only. Absolutely avoid in strong winds, rain, snow, ice and thunderstorms. Elderly people and children are not recommended. If you decide to go back down, it is also very dangerous and little or not at all signposted.
Beautiful views over the valley, the Pic Saint Loup and the Hortus.

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Hello, there's an error in the description of stage 3 in relation to the route, which is not serious but not insignificant either
(presents a risk of additional fatigue with a slight diversions)

as a reminder
(3) At the end of the grassy area, turn right and follow this path to a crossroads, then turn right (hill 221).
Be careful as there are many paths that cross each other on this route.

In reality, at the end of the grassy area, turn LEFT and you will find the crossroads where you can start to climb back up after a long flat section along the north face.

to the LEFT then certainly to the right at the crossroads
(turning left puts you right back on the route)

no because by turning right you come across an animal trail with a crossroads that you reach after descending off the trail following 3 blue cords tied around trees

except that turning right and then right leads you to the rock face with 0 ways up

In short, a rather avoidable and annoying error. It seems to me that the route was badly updated when the difficulty was changed?

Incidentally, I'd like to point out that if you avoid the Chemin de Crete on the way up and back, this hike can easily remain "difficult".

if you compare it to other hikes in the region with such a high gradient/km ratio

I did this walk again today. always a great pleasure.
ps: in wet weather it can easily be classed as very difficult because of the extra strength you have to put on your feet to keep a steady stride.

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hike on 17/06.
Sporty but nothing more. On the other hand, to echo the reviews, I did note the difficulties but I wasn't expecting it to be so dangerous on the ridge section.
It's simply life-threatening if you don't get a good grip, on the borderline between climbing and roping up.

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Hello,
This is a great hike.
You need a bit of strength in your arms and legs on the crest path.
But, in the end, what a spectacle!

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A superb hike around the Pic Saint-Loup. Be careful not to take the wrong path on the north face at point 2. Do not take the path on the right which climbs straight up to the cliff.

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Like many people, when you use your hands too often, it's no longer hiking but mountaineering (climbing ridges).
On the other hand, it's well worth the diversions, especially if you come across the goats with their young and the wild billy goats.
I wouldn't do it again, but there's a real lack of signposting on the climb up the ridges (blue and green markings need to be restored).

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