Rain water reservoirs carved into rock

A magnificent hike that will take you to several magical sites in the Gard department. This hike is best done in spring, when water is still flowing in the Aiguières waterfalls, where the colour of the water will amaze you and make you forget the difficulty of the route.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 15.26 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 448 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 446 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 318 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 126 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the public car park at Hameau de Cal. If possible, park on the right-hand side of the trees so that your vehicle will be in the shade when you return in the afternoon.

(S/E) Head to the back of the car park where a sign indicates that it is not possible to reach Les Aiguières by car. Continue along this path to the dry river bed.

(1) Cross the dry riverbed and take the path on the right. Follow it until it rejoins the dry riverbed, cross the river and take the path that climbs to the right. Follow this path as it climbs, always taking the right-hand fork at each junction. You will reach a crossroads at the foot of Mont Lansac.

(2) This time, turn left onto a quieter path that offers some beautiful views. Follow it until you reach a small clearing.

(3) Look for the small path that disappears into the bushes at the bottom on the left. This will lead you to a trail that descends towards Les Petites Aiguières. Be careful, as this trail is quite steep until you reach the Cascades des Petites Aiguières waterfalls.

(4) After carefully admiring the view, head back in the opposite direction towards the river, which you will need to follow. Once again, be careful: there is no path here and you will have to jump from stone to stone to walk up the river, sometimes risking getting your feet wet. Proceed with the utmost caution so as not to slip down to the bottom of the valley.
Look for a small path that climbs up to the left of the river. This will take you into the woods on a fairly peaceful path between the trees. You will come to a crossroads with several directions.

(5) Take the path on the right between two large trees. Follow the river to reach the Grandes Aiguières.

(6) Return in the opposite direction to the previous crossroads.

(5) Turn right and you will soon reach a wider track.

(7) Turn right onto it, then leave it on the left at the next bend. Continue downhill through the forest until you reach the bridge over the Ruisseau de l'Argensol.

(8) Cross the bridge and turn left to follow the right bank of the stream. At the edge of the woods, you will find a Y-shaped crossroads.

(9) Take the small path on the right that winds its way up to the car park below the Château d'Allègre.

(10) Cross theD37 with caution and take the path opposite to reach Château d'Allègre. Continue on to reach the D37 again and another car park.

(11) Cross the D37 again with caution. Follow the marked path down to the hamlet of La Bégude.

(12) Turn left onto the Défilé d'Argensol path. Follow the gentle climb back to the Y-junction you passed earlier.

(9) Continue along the stream for a few more metres, then turn right and cross the stream. Continue uphill until you reach the highest point.

(13) Continue straight ahead and begin the final descent back to the initial crossroads.

(1) Follow the initial route for a few metres to return to the car park in the hamlet of Cal (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 145 m - Car park at the hamlet of Cal
  2. 1 : km 0.16 - alt. 143 m - Crossroads of the circular loop
  3. 2 : km 2.04 - alt. 299 m - Below Mont Lansac
  4. 3 : km 2.9 - alt. 290 m - Clearing
  5. 4 : km 3.29 - alt. 195 m - Petites Aiguières waterfalls
  6. 5 : km 3.98 - alt. 206 m - Grandes Aiguières crossroads
  7. 6 : km 4.45 - alt. 208 m - Grandes Aiguières
  8. 7 : km 5.44 - alt. 226 m - Track junction
  9. 8 : km 6.83 - alt. 155 m - Bridge over the - Argensol (cours d'eau) - Affluent de l'Auzon
  10. 9 : km 7.65 - alt. 147 m - Y-junction
  11. 10 : km 8.84 - alt. 233 m - 1st car park D37 - Château d'Allègre
  12. 11 : km 9.47 - alt. 222 m - 2nd car park D37 - Château d'Allègre
  13. 12 : km 11.16 - alt. 127 m - La Bégude
  14. 13 : km 14.13 - alt. 235 m - High point
  15. S/E : km 15.26 - alt. 144 m - Return to the hamlet of Cal

Notes

Between (10) and (11) at Château d'Allègre: on arrival, a path on the right will also allow the more adventurous to reach the Chapelle Saint-Saturnin. The path leading there is quite steep and exhausting, but the views are remarkable.

Worth a visit

(4) The Petites Aiguières waterfall: admire it, but be very careful because of the drop.
(6) A small, barely visible path allows you to climb up on the left. It is steep but very short and leads to a ledge from where you can admire the Grandes Aiguières and their magical colours.
Shortly afterwards (7), take advantage of the tables at a hut to eat and rest.
Between (10) and (11) Le Château d'Allègre, enjoy the beauty of the site.

Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 14 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.4 / 5
Ease of following the route
3.9 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
PIERRE MONNIER
PIERRE MONNIER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely spring walk on a warm, sunny day. The route is superb. The river and waterfalls are well worth the trip. Don’t hesitate to follow the river to find the way back. Perhaps a bit of a workout for us older folk, but not really difficult.
A must-do.
PP and MM

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boubbou.com
boubbou.com

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent route with those two unmissable viewpoints at Les Aiguières, it’s a shame to start with the most beautiful part, but I’m not sure the sun will be in the right spot if you do the circular route in reverse; although there are very few signposts along the route, the path is fairly well marked by itself, except just after point 4 where, if you believe the map, you might think you need to climb the scree to the left – this is certainly a GPS approximation, you mustn’t go up there under any circumstances as it’s a dead end leading to a rather dangerous rock face; stay in the riverbed and you’ll find the path on the left a little further on. It’s best to wear water shoes so you can stay in the river; superb view of the castle with a very detailed orientation table

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pp34
pp34
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

There were few people on the trail, with strong winds and a cloudless sky. The water in the Aiguiéres was incredibly clear.
Doing this hike in such conditions is a unique experience.

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User 4421368

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, you have to follow the instructions on the map carefully, but it's really worth it! Beautiful scenery and so peaceful. To get to Château Allègre, you have to cross private property. There are dogs there, they're not vicious but they might surprise you!

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jcg30vers
jcg30vers

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hike done with GPS, getting your feet wet (in winter) isn't very appealing, the rain water reservoirs carved into rock are worth seeing, but too many firebreaks... I wouldn't recommend it...

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jeani84
jeani84

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

Great hike, we shortened it a bit because I don't walk as fast as the other hiker.
We did it this weekend, and I'd like to do it again in the spring.
have a nice day

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Claucl
Claucl

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

poorly marked route, with numerous paths leading off in all directions, GPS essential

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ROSES
ROSES

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A superb hike with beautiful sights along the way. A GPS is essential to avoid getting lost.
Avoid this route in hot weather, or bring your swimming costume! It also gets busier when the weather is nice and warm.

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Eric 07
Eric 07

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great route with lots to see. The water troughs are magnificent, and the Château d'Allégre is superb with a beautiful view from the top. The route isn't very difficult but there are some nice climbs. Thank you for this trail.

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User 12231426

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike. No difficulty following the trail with GPS. Les Aiguières are magnificent, with few people around when
I did the hike, but be careful on the rocks.

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User 695337

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely route, very busy this weekend. Beautiful views. Refer to the Visiorando app as there are few signposts. Magnificent water troughs. Avoid in hot weather.

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ethee
ethee

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A magnificent place to see and explore: both the rain water reservoirs carved into rock and the castle.... The only drawback is that there are no signposts or directions.... Fortunately, the Visorando app is a great help.... Avoid visiting during very hot weather, as there is very little shade in some places on the DFCI.

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fab.grange
fab.grange

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

One of the most beautiful hikes in the region for the Grands rain water reservoirs carved into rock. You absolutely must take the small path that climbs up to the left and go all the way to the end. It's not difficult if you use your hands a little, otherwise you won't see anything at all... and it's worth the effort.
For the smaller rain water reservoirs carved into rock, you have to jump from rock to rock and rely on the GPS track to find the path that branches off to the left. There's no other way... otherwise you'll miss the stunning waterfall that you can see from afar as you descend towards the smaller rain water reservoirs. What a shame...

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adjudant
adjudant

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike with a superb waterfall, but no signposts. Be careful in the riverbed, as it is very slippery. There are also too many dogs running free, which is a shame. I will do this hike again in October during the week.

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