The Crozes drovers' roads

de fr

During this hike, you can discover the remains of the old village of Cabrières at the foot of the castle, the hamlet of Les Crozes, the Tiberet mills and the old paths, known as "drovers' roads" in Occitan.

Details

n°1641291
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 9.55 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 05 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,909 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,880 ft
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,178 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 335 ft
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Photos

photos taken on the ridges

Description of the walk

The suggested route is aPR® (regional hiking trail) that is well maintained and marked in yellow throughout.
Park in the car park opposite the cooperative winery.

(S/E) Head north to reach the centre of Cabrières. Turn left at the second street towards the historic centre. Go up towards the church and pass it.

(1) At the fountain, turn left onto Rue de l'Égalité. Pass the cemetery and continue for another 100 metres.

(2) Turn left onto Chemin du Château. Cross a ford.

(3) Leave the track via a path on the left, ignoring the wide track. Follow thePR® and continue to the Col de la Cisterne.

(4). The stony path runs alongside the first ruins. Continue along a path overlooking the Pitrous valley with a view of the vineyards.

(5) Leave the start ofthe PR® "Balade Médiévale" on your left and continue along the track. Continue until you reach the road

(6) Turn right and then immediately left. Climb towards the Château des Deux Rocs. Pass Mas Rouch.

(7) Leave the road and take the path slightly to the right that climbs through the woods towards the north-west.

(8) Go down the track on the left and quickly take the shortcut on the left of the track. Cross the track and continue on the path opposite to reach the village of Les Crozes.

(9) Cross the village of Les Crozes via the church square. Take the path directly opposite. Join the road, then quickly leave it to take a path on the right that cuts across a bend.

(10) Turn left and walk through the undergrowth (charcoal kilns) for 2 km. You will reach a crossroads at a pass with a pidgeon hunting hut.

(11) Descend to the left along a rutted path and join the track leading to Lauriol at the Pitrous stream. Continue straight ahead along the winding track.

(12) Pass the ruins of the Tibéret mill (do not enter the ruins). At the fork, continue straight ahead, skirting the conifer plantation of the Tombe d'Izarne. Turn left again at the next fork and walk 200 m.

(13) Leave the track, turn left and cross a meadow. Climb the rocky path of Soureillé d'Izarne. Descend towards a small pass and climb up opposite. After a stretch along the ridge (with views of the sea, the vineyards and the village of Cabrières, the Piton du Château and the Pic Vissou in the background), descend steeply (take care) towards the Pitrous valley. Cross the stream and join the road.

(14) Follow the road to the right, join the D15 and then the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 341 ft - Parking: Cooperative cave on the edge of the - Boyne (rivière) - Affluent de l'Hérault
  2. 1 : mi 0.29 - alt. 394 ft - Fountain
  3. 2 : mi 0.51 - alt. 407 ft - Chemin du Château
  4. 3 : mi 0.64 - alt. 410 ft - Trail junction
  5. 4 : mi 1.34 - alt. 833 ft - Col de la Cisterne
  6. 5 : mi 1.85 - alt. 679 ft - PR Medieval Walk
  7. 6 : mi 2.18 - alt. 686 ft - Road
  8. 7 : mi 2.48 - alt. 810 ft - Start of the Le Mas Rouch trail
  9. 8 : mi 3.19 - alt. 1,168 ft - Track
  10. 9 : mi 3.54 - alt. 860 ft - Village of Les Crozes
  11. 10 : mi 3.78 - alt. 984 ft - Path through the woods
  12. 11 : mi 5.21 - alt. 896 ft - Rutted path
  13. 12 : mi 6.53 - alt. 774 ft - Ruins of the Tibéret mill
  14. 13 : mi 7.22 - alt. 961 ft - Junction for the ridges
  15. 14 : mi 8.78 - alt. 348 ft - Road on the right
  16. S/E : mi 9.55 - alt. 341 ft - Cooperative winery car park

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.

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Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 29 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.9 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
User 3404742

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on Sunday 10 May. The paths were very wet after the previous day’s rain, so we had to be careful on the stony trails. Very well signposted. The final section along the ridge is very pleasant, with lovely views, particularly of the village of Cabrieres. The descent, which is marked as ‘steep’, certainly is and requires your full attention.
We had done this hike with a club a few months earlier and enjoyed the route once again, this time as a pair of hikers.

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User 16312175

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Please note that the descent at the end of the route could make the hike difficult rather than moderate.

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raymi
raymi

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed with GPS on a Sunday in good weather. The ruins of Cabrières Castle and its viewpoint are well worth a visit. However, the site of Saint Rome Chapel and its belvedere are overgrown and inaccessible. On leaving Les Crozes, before point 10, we took the path on the left towards Lauriol. Halfway at point 216 ign, take the left-hand hairpin bend path (not shown on any map) which descends 250 m and joins the Crozes stream and the good path leading directly to the three Tiberet mills, which are rare vertical mills in the Hérault. Also worth seeing are the buildings and the spring (torch recommended). To finish in style, visit the Soureille d'Izarne and its descent to Cabrières. A moderate hike of 15 km with 650 m of elevation gain

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Polo34300
Polo34300

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A beautiful and varied hike. Beautiful views and remarkable landmarks such as the Tiberet mill. The only slight drawback is a long stretch through pine trees that is a bit monotonous.

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chasqui
chasqui

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

hike completed in the direction indicated, ending with a beautiful view and avoiding a steep climb at the start. The final stretch along the ridge was swept by a strong mistral wind and very pleasant sunshine. A very beautiful hike.

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GSSR
GSSR

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This time, we did the hike in reverse. It was much better to climb the sunny part in the morning and finish in the woods in the afternoon. Don't hesitate to take the path to the left of the ruins of Tibéry to discover the old mills.
The beautiful house with a green roof is worth a look. Who is this Gérard Bertrand who can afford such a building?
There's some amazing flora to discover at this time of year... Spring hikes are truly the best.
There are few trails on this hike, which adds to its charm, along with the magnificent views.

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Ribes
Ribes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 21, 2024
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 with excellent signage, which we did in reverse. A varied route, crossing ridges and passing through forests, with beautiful ruins at Tibéret (unfortunately we didn't see the mills below, we only found out about them when we got back and looked up information about the ruins on the internet), a beautiful concrete house with a green roof (owned by Gerard Bertrand, which we only found out when we got back!)
And to finish off, we bought some very good wines at the Cabrière cooperative winery!

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dr34
dr34

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 01, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Not as easy as it looks. A beautiful hike, like all those around Cabrières and in this area. Several easy-to-follow variations are possible with GPS.
Did it once in June in bright sunshine... not to be repeated!
Enjoy your hike.

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Martine Guigue
Martine Guigue

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very attractive route offering beautiful panoramic views

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Lurbe Mercedes
Lurbe Mercedes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike

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daniel.barthes
daniel.barthes

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

As suggested by others, we did the hike in the opposite direction (clockwise) and it's true that the morning climb to the Izarne ridge is easier than the descent at the end of the hike! Then, when we arrived at the Tibéret Mills (point 12), we spoke to someone who knew the area well and who advised us to go down and see the remains of the millstones. The path downhill is to the left of the ruins and provides easy access to the millstones. Continuing downhill, we reached the bottom of the stream and from there we took a good track on the left to Lauriol. We crossed the hamlet (thanks to the "welcome" sign!) and arrived at a fork, where we turned right downhill onto a very beautiful path that climbs up to Les Crozes.
Once at Les Crozes, we followed the description and the trail closely to return to Cabrières. This alternative route shortens the hike a little (by 1 km?) and, if you don't linger, allows you to picnic near Les Crozes and visit the church and the bread oven (...) before taking the climb above Les Crozes.

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bernbla
bernbla

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 14, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thanks for this beautiful hike, which was easy except for the last descent. Just before point 12, take the steep track instead; you won't regret it, as the view from the top is magnificent, with Sète on one side, the Pyrenees in the middle and the Narbonne valley further away. There's no need to turn back, as the track forms a loop and you'll quickly find the signposted route again.

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Johanna2018
Johanna2018

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Marked as difficult – and it was! I walked backwards as recommended, which was the right thing to do. Really tough climb up to the ridge (14–13) and over the summit. Other difficult sections also involve climbing rocks/slopes on tired legs. Rewarded with spectacular scenery, but won't rush to repeat until the aches and fatigue are forgotten. 9/10 for us... 10/10 if young and fit!!

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Gros pou
Gros pou

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 17, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We did the circuit backwards, as recommended in a previous review, and it was an excellent idea. This way, the difficult part of the route, which is the descent at the end of the hike, becomes a steep climb but is accessible to most people and located at the beginning of the hike
The scenery is very nice and a good part of the route is on paths under holm oaks, which is really great for shelter from the wind, as was the case for us, or from the heat in summer
Thank you for this route

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Bobe51
Bobe51

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

This is a loop that I have shown to friends several times because it is very pleasant and offers beautiful views. However, I do it in the opposite direction because the section between 13 and 14 is better at the start and on the climb.

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