The Colombières Gorges

A remarkable route above the Alres torrent, offering the chance to discover a troglodytic settlement and a superb Cévennes landscape in the hamlet of La Fage.

This walk may be closed depending on the fire risk level. Remember to check the map.

Details

29762
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 6.42 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 2,211 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 2,231 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 2,789 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 673 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

(Start/Finish) From the Colombières school car park, head down towards the road and turn right onto the Gorges trail (signposted and marked with yellowPR®® signs).

Climb briskly up a good thirty steps, which give way to a fairly steep, stony path. This particularly well-maintained path winds through the woods (chestnut, boxwood and holm oak trees).
You’ll reach the Fontaine d’Arles, just before the troglodyte dwellings.

(1) After visiting these sites, continue along the hillside before discovering the large pools of the Arles stream and, above all, the Fage area.

(2) Walk past these houses to reach the fully restored mill, which lies just before a two-arched bridge.
Cross this bridge and reach the place known as La Croix de Douch. Take the second road on the right (GR®®7andPR®®) for about 300 metres.

(3) Leave theGR®®7on your left and stay on the PR®®.
Ignore the signs for the climbing sites to reach the high point on the edge of the Brétouyre and Tabarié climbing areas.

(4) Then begin the descent via a series of wide hairpin bends; this is an ancient Roman road which joins the Chemin des Fleisses at the end of the bends.

(5) Begin a long traverse leading to the hamlet of Les Seilhols.

(6) Take the steps and then a steep descent which leads into the village of Colombières.
Cross the stream via the road bridge and head to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 755 ft - School car park
  2. 1 : mi 1.4 - alt. 2,083 ft - Cave dwellings
  3. 2 : mi 2.24 - alt. 2,490 ft - La Fage
  4. 3 : mi 2.75 - alt. 2,654 ft - GR7 – PR junction
  5. 4 : mi 4.07 - alt. 2,661 ft - Brétouyre climbing site
  6. 5 : mi 5.32 - alt. 1,578 ft - Chemin des Fleisses
  7. 6 : mi 6.2 - alt. 1,024 ft - Les Seilhols
  8. S/E : mi 6.42 - alt. 735 ft - School car park

Notes

There are two water points on this route: the Arles fountain and a spring by the path just before the Brétouyre climbing site.
Note: To make the most of the various sites along this route, allow around 7 hours rather than the 4 hours 15 minutes given by the app.

Worth a visit

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 174 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
mat3441
mat3441
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

What can I say!! Other than that it’s simply magnificent! The climb is enjoyable, with some very technical sections – though those prone to vertigo should be careful, as there are some tricky bits – but the reward is there when you start to hear the sound of the water… Personally, I found the descent long – very long, in fact – and rather boring
All in all, a brilliant hike – don’t hesitate to treat yourself 😝

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Didier P.
Didier P.

Yes, there are handrails at tricky sections, but nothing too difficult.

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Didier P.
Didier P.

A magnificent hike that is quite technical, as you have to keep a constant eye on where you’re stepping, since you walk almost entirely over stones and rocks on the way up and along the paved slanting street on the way down.
The views at the top of the climb over the river and the distant landscape on the descent are well worth seeing.
This makes for a truly enjoyable and unusual route.
We completed it in 5½ hours, including a picnic stop. My GPS showed 12km.

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User 17119727

Are there handrails on narrow sections and at the edge of the drop?

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User 29396306
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Brief explanation at the start: moderate difficulty, well-marked trail, incredible views. A hike I’d recommend, though quite challenging for beginners. 12 km according to my watch, completed in less time as I’m used to it.

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Didier P.
Didier P.

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 17, 2026
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike that is quite technical, as you have to keep a constant eye on where you’re stepping, since you walk almost entirely over stones and rocks on the ascent and along the paved slanting street on the descent.
The views at the top of the climb over the river and the distant landscape on the descent are well worth seeing.
This makes for a truly enjoyable and unusual route.
We completed it in 5½ hours, including a picnic stop. My GPS showed 12km.

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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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