The Giant's Steps

This short hike will take you to a remarkable site off the beaten track. From the charming Saint-Étienne de Gabriac chapel, the trail takes you to the banks of the Lamalou before reaching impressive strata of white limestone. These very thick strata have staggered ridges and form a huge staircase, hence the name of the site.
This hike must be done in sunny weather to admire the dazzling whiteness of these rocks.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.72 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 156 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 155 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 256 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 180 m

Photos

Description of the walk

The site is located 3 km north of Pic Saint-Loup. From Notre-Dame-de-Londres, take the D1 south and follow it for 1.6 km. In a sharp right-hand bend, turn left onto the D122e6. After 250 m, take the small road on the right which will take you to the car park 500 m further on.

(S/E) Head towards the house and the Chapel of Saint-Étienne de Gabriac. Visit the site. Note the well, which can be accessed through an opening in the chapel's surrounding wall. Continue down the paved road for 50 metres, ignoring the private road that branches off to the right towards the old Rouet mill, which has now been restored. You will see it on your right as you descend the stony path.
At the cross, turn left and continue downhill to the river.

(1) Cross the bridge over the Lamalou and follow the stony path that climbs up to the left. After about 300m, the path divides into a Y. Take the left branch that runs alongside a fence and follow it for about 500m until you reach the intersection with a perpendicular path.

(2) Turn right, heading south towards Pic Saint-Loup. You are now at the foot of the Marches de Géant. The trail runs along bright white limestone slabs. Thyme, rosemary, boxwood and asphodel (in spring) make up most of the vegetation. Keep the hamlet of Le Fesq (in line with the peak) in sight. After about 400 metres, the path crosses the stream bed (which is mostly dry). Continue down the valley, keeping the same landmark in sight. Leave a path on your right towards the base of the "steps" to reach the bottom of the slope.
Note:you can safely leave the path and follow the "white" valley to the right until you reach the bottom of the slope.
At the bottom, the trail crosses the small stream and reaches a flat grassy area with boxwood trees.
Follow the path (used by vehicles) to a Y-junction.

(3) Here, one branch of the path branches off to the left towards the hamlet of Fesq, crossing a stream, while another branches off to the right and passes under a telephone line. At this point, turn back 15 metres and take the path on your left that climbs northwards towards the summit of the Marches de Géant. It runs parallel to the ridge, but here and there you can take small detours to the right that bring you closer to the ridge and offer superb views of the valley and Pic Saint-Loup . Be careful with children. After about 1 km, the trail emerges onto the white summit platform. Continue to the highest point where two rocks appear to have been placed.

(4) From the summit, there are beautiful views of the Cévennes, the Aigoual and the entire site. Leave the path heading west towards a fence and follow the ridge for about 120 metres. Reach a rocky point shaped like a ship's bow, then turn left (this is the only option) towards a narrow passage a few dozen metres away, which you can easily cross to reach the path above. Descend along the path between the fence and the ridge, with the Chapelle Saint-Étienne de Gabriac in the distance.

(5) Here, the path is blocked by a fence. A few metres before, look for the start of the rutted path (be careful) on the right between two box trees, which descends for 60 metres before joining a dirt track. Take this track on the right and continue straight ahead to rejoin the stony path taken on the way up.
At this point, there is an alternative route: go up the path on the right for 50 metres and take the small path on the left, which leads to the banks of the Lamalou. At the bottom, turn right and walk 50 metres to the remains of a dyke (nice photos). Then turn around and take the path through the woods that follows the river, which joins the stony path just before the bridge.
If there is no alternative route, turn left onto this rocky path and continue downhill to the bridge over the Lamalou.
After the bridge, continue in the opposite direction, following the same route you took on the way up, which will take you back to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 224 m - Parking: Saint-Étienne de Gabriac Chapel
  2. 1 : km 0.44 - alt. 183 m - Bridge over the Lamalou
  3. 2 : km 1.23 - alt. 249 m - Four-way crossroads, change of direction
  4. 3 : km 2.41 - alt. 182 m - At the southern end of the circuit, change direction
  5. 4 : km 3.5 - alt. 256 m - Summit of the Giant's Steps
  6. 5 : km 4.05 - alt. 222 m - Change direction just before the fence
  7. S/E : km 4.72 - alt. 224 m - Parking: Saint-Étienne de Gabriac Chapel

Notes

The limestone walls can be quite crumbly - do not venture less than one metre from the ridges and, in any case, keep an eye on children. That said, they can do this hike without any difficulty and will even find wonderful playgrounds in the stream beds, which are mostly dry.

Worth a visit

  • From the point (3), it is possible to reach the hamlet of Fesq, about 1 km away (round trip). To do this, cross the stream (as indicated in the description) and follow the path.
  • The sources of the Lamalou

Return to the D122e6, turn right; after about 1 km, it meets the river and follows it for 200 m before crossing it and moving away from it.
Before the bridge, find the path on the left that follows the Lamalou (on its right bank) to its source 400 m away.
Note:The source is located in a rocky area that is quite difficult to access.
Avoid the summer months, as the Lamalou river does not flow during this period.

  • The Lamalou dolmen

At the same latitude as the lowest source, 100m to the east, you will see this beautiful dolmen-tumulus, which is about 12 metres in diameter. You can go inside.

  • The Rouet karstic cave

Continue on the D122e6 then the D122 towards Rouet.
400m before the village, park on the left. The karstic cave and its old pumping station are located 30m to the left of the road.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 45 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.5 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.5 / 5
Route interest
4.7 / 5
User 18661329

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A lovely walk to do with children. Taken in January 2026, the Lamalou was flowing freely and the pools were frozen, much to the children's delight! The view of Pic St Loup and Hortus is splendid. Avoid in the height of summer!

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A.M._ZURCHER
A.M._ZURCHER

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

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


A wonderful discovery to enjoy with the family.

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patcass12
patcass12

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 12, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

On this hike, you can turn left at the start to see a beautiful waterfall and rejoin the path a little further up.

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megane38
megane38

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

On Monday, 27 October, we were... completely alone!
The autumn landscapes are magnificent, and the view of Pic Saint Loup is beautiful. There were no difficulties on this hike, which we followed very easily with Visorando's GPS tracking.
Note that normally there are crystal clear waters at this site, but they are not yet present.
Thank you for this lovely discovery!

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patcass12
patcass12

Overall rating : 2.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : Yes

Some of the information provided is incorrect, particularly regarding the wire fence, which is located two-thirds of the way along the route and not at the beginning. That said, your app is excellent 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻. Patrick

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User 10876369

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We chose to start our walk at 6pm during a heatwave. As a result, the temperature was very pleasant and there was no one else on the trail.
A very beautiful place with magnificent views of the columns and cliffs.

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md.lefevre@orange.fr
md.lefevre@orange.fr

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 31, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent walk after a rather rainy period. The Lamalou was full of water and numerous small streams trickled down the giant steps. I think this was a significant bonus.
Good shoes are necessary for walking on the stony paths.
Blue markings are almost non-existent in places. It's best to follow the GPS route to avoid getting lost, but overall you follow the bottom of the steps on the way there and return via the ridge. Nothing too complicated.
The pretty St Étienne chapel is also worth a look, with its small adjoining cemetery.
In short, a lovely little walk of less than two hours from the car park near the chapel.

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Fresneda
Fresneda

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful walk for a sunny winter's day. The beautiful limestone cliffs are magnificent to see.

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CouturierPat
CouturierPat

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike in January 2025 in good weather.
Not many people.
You need good shoes because there are lots of stones.
I think that on sunny days, walking on the light-coloured stones must be quite difficult in the heat as there is no shade from the trees.
The "giants' steps" are spectacular 👍

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Mariongreciano
Mariongreciano

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Nice hike with beautiful views, easy for children despite a few climbs, avoid in summer as there is no shade

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Yanger
Yanger

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful (and short) hike near Pic Saint Loup. Avoid in summer. Don't hesitate to take the suggested detour, the little path that runs alongside the Lamalou is superb.

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branchette
branchette

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pretty hike, alternating between oases in the middle of the heath with a water hole for swimming, then an almost lunar landscape and a superb view of the Pic Saint Loup.
A bit short. Be careful in summer, as the direct sunlight and its reflection off the white limestone can quickly make it very hot. It's best to go in the morning.

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isola
isola

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

I loved this little walk in unspoilt countryside, accompanied by a river and with the Pic St Loup on the horizon

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chespeel
chespeel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

a hike with a beautiful view of Pic St Loup, a lunar landscape to enjoy in good weather to take in the surroundings

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Ghiboc
Ghiboc

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 07, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very interesting geological trail but very hot as there isn't much shade. Recommended

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