The Colombières Gorges

An exceptional circular walk above the torrent of Arles where you can discover a cave dwelling and a superb Cervennes collection in the hamlet of Fage.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.34 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 674 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 680 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 850 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 205 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From the car park at Colombières school (S), go down the road and take the gorge trail on the right (sign and waymarking PR Yellow).

Climb rapidly up the thirty steps or so which lead to a rather steep stony path. This particularly well-maintained path winds through the woods (chestnuts, boxwoods and Holm oaks).
About an hour after leaving, you will reach the Arles Fountain which is just a little bit before the cave dwellings (1).
After visiting the dwellings, continue along the side before discovering the large bassins of the Arles stream and, specifically, all of Fage (2).

Go past these houses until you reach the completely restored windmill just before a bridge with 2 arches.
Go over the bridge. You will reach the place called the 'Croix de Douch'. Take the second track on the right (GR7 and PR) for about 300 m. Leave the GR7 on the left and stay on the PR (3).
Ignore the signs for the climbing spots in order to reach the high point on the edge of the Brétouyre (4) and Tabarié climbing spots.

Then start to descend down the large zigzags. This is an old Roman way which joins up with the chemin des Fleisses (5).
Once down the zigzags, there is a big crossing which leads you to the hamlet of Seilhols (6).

Next, take the steps, then a steep descent back down into the village of Colombières.
Cross the bridge over the stream and you are back at the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 230 m - School car park
  2. 1 : km 2.25 - alt. 635 m - Troglodyte houses
  3. 2 : km 3.6 - alt. 759 m - La Fage
  4. 3 : km 4.42 - alt. 809 m - Crossroads GR7 - PR
  5. 4 : km 6.54 - alt. 811 m - Brétouyre climbing site
  6. 5 : km 8.57 - alt. 481 m - Chemin des Fleisses
  7. 6 : km 9.97 - alt. 312 m - Les Seilhols
  8. S/E : km 10.34 - alt. 224 m - School car park

Notes

Two water points on this circular walk: the Arles Fountain and also the spring along the edge of the path before the Brétouyre climbing spot.

Worth a visit

Colombières-sur-Orb and the nearby villages.
On the plateau Douch and Rosis, the hilltop villages of the Caroux.

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

4.8 / 5
Based on 171 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
boubbou.com
boubbou.com

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A superb hike that starts with a steep climb over the first two kilometres, though without any major difficulty. Please note that the route description mentions there are two fountains! Do take water with you anyway, as the first reliable water source is above the Lodge de la Fage, at the ‘Petits Jardins de la Fée’, where you’ll find water – that is, at the end of the climb! Important point: make sure you don’t take the wrong path on the descent at the 815m elevation marked on the IGN map on Visorando
Three mouflons were spotted on the descent
The car park isn’t very big, so it’s best to arrive early

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Hibou florensac
Hibou florensac

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 11, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A hike that offers beautiful views, but is closer to 13 km than 10.5 km in length.
The climb is quite steep and there are a few tricky sections, though these are secured by a handrail.
The descent seems endless on the paved slanting street.
A lovely walk nonetheless, with magnificent views and an exceptional rocky landscape.

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Nadège12
Nadège12

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very steep start, but the surroundings are stunning
Before the descent, a stunning view of the Pyrenees!!!

Definitely not to be attempted on a rainy day as there are lots of rocks

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User 11481850

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

Superb hike, the route is perfect and easy to follow.
Beautiful views throughout the route.
I recommend it.

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lolorandos
lolorandos

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb hike, a bit challenging but well worth the effort. It's magnificent with these autumn colours.

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MNORDIC
MNORDIC

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike: we set off for the day in glorious sunshine
The climb is gradual, we're on rocky slopes, shaded paths, it's superb!
The hamlet of La Fage is the ideal place to stop for lunch, with its little waterfalls and reservoirs
(a pretty little restored mill with its mechanism still in place inside)
It's a little busier here, and for good reason: there's a car park further up (!)
Then on the plateau (and there's no one here!) another landscape: sublime with all the heather and rocky outcrops
Then it's downhill on beautiful paved slanting street, often in the shade of chestnut groves and magnificent terraced walls. Most of the paths are wide switchbacks with false flats: we loved it!
Not difficult for trained, well-equipped hikers (poles and good shoes) with a little technique for a worry-free descent
A very varied route that is a must in good weather: the rock glistens, it's brilliant!
Superb!

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jamu
jamu

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A hike offering beautiful views but whose length is closer to 13 km than 10.5 km.
The descent is seemingly endless, following the remains of a Roman road that requires a lot of attention and would justify classifying the hike as "difficult" rather than "moderate".
The climb up to La Fage is busy, but the second part is completely deserted.

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yollotin
yollotin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A magnificent hike that is a bit challenging but well worth the effort throughout the entire route!

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Peter Beerens
Peter Beerens

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A magnificent walk, especially when the weather is nice, with beautiful views and lots of pools for swimming. According to my GPS (Garmin Montana 750i), it was 13 km long with an elevation gain of +/- 750 m. We found it moderately difficult, but many hikers would consider it quite difficult because there are a lot of rocks on the trails.

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Didge
Didge

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A lovely hike that totals 12 km rather than 10 and a half. 7 km of sometimes very steep ascent and the rest of a descent that will seem interminable over the remains of a Roman road that is very painful for the feet and knees (poles recommended).
It's a difficult hike, not an "average" one, but one that will leave you with a lasting impression, such is the beauty of the site.
For hikers with a good level of fitness.

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randocantalalpes
randocantalalpes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

lots of rhododendrons and lavender.tres belle rando merci a vous tous votre travail est formidable.

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MontagneXplorer
MontagneXplorer
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

incredible site, magnificent scenery and exeptional panorama! quite a challenging climb but it's an incredible spot.

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JYRT
JYRT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

13 real kilometres as shown on the signs, whereas you mention 10 km, otherwise it's a nice, fairly tough walk at the start.

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ed102
ed102

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

One of the most beautiful hikes in the Hérault, with lovely views and waterfalls for swimming.

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saint victor
saint victor

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike, even if it's only up to the hamlet of La Fage. Thank you for this beautiful route

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