Mélagues walks

A very beautiful and varied hike through forest, alpine landscape, ridges and ravines. From La Coix de Marcou, a 360° panorama.

At the summit of Maliver (alt. 901m), there is a stunning viewpoint and an information board about the Haut Dourdou valley. This route can be combined with the Dent de Saint-Jean route.

A short family hike in the upper Dourdou valley, in southern Aveyron, where water meets stone and the slopes are stony. But above all, it is the village of Brusque, from ‘bruscas’ (heather), crowned by the ruins of its9th-century castle on its rocky outcrop, with its winding alleyways.

Varied landscapes and numerous viewpoints. A few very steep climbs! Orientation table at the summit. A few sections on roads in the valley and on tracks along the ridges (tracks built for the installation and maintenance of the wind turbines) Rich and varied flora: in late April, a carpet of daffodils at the summit; in late June, a profusion of gentians, large daisies and… wild strawberries.

This marks the completion of this beautiful hike after several weeks of research to create the route described below. It’s a great achievement that will help people discover and get to know this small mountain range located east of the Caroux and Espinouse ranges. Some sections (fairly short) are a bit tricky to follow, but the Visorando GPX track is very useful.

A short half-day hike to discover these magnificent surroundings. Despite its ‘easy’ rating and the minimal elevation gain, it features a fairly steep climb from Saint-Geniès-de-Varensal and a similarly steep descent after the Orquette ruins. Sturdy footwear and a good level of fitness are essential.

Avène is not just a cosmetics brand; it is also a thriving spa village in the upper cantons of the Hérault. Influenced by both the ocean and the Mediterranean, the Monts-d’Orb present striking contrasts from one slope to the other. From the Orb valley to the dry Rieussec valley via Peyreguille, the route—lovely and wooded, and therefore often shaded—alternates between south- and north-facing slopes. No fewer than six passes and four valleys are strung together in this way. Added to this is a well-preserved heritage (mill, Saint-André Chapel, etc.).

This hike offers a unique circular route with, at the highest point, a 360° view providing a magnificent panorama towards the sea, the Carroux plateau and all the mountain ranges to the north and east of this remarkable dome: Mont Marcou. The ascent is quite demanding with steep slopes where you sometimes need to use your hands to climb rocky sections. The descent also features some fairly steep sections. This hike may therefore be difficult for some. However, the first 45 minutes provide a good warm-up before tackling the steep climb up to the antennas, and even beyond. A beautiful, wild and challenging route.

This hike forms a loop with a 360° view at the highest point, offering a magnificent panorama of the sea, the Carroux plateau and all the mountains to the north and east of this remarkable dome: Mont Marcou. The climb is quite demanding with steep slopes where you sometimes have to use your hands to climb rocky passages. The descent also has some fairly steep sections. This hike may therefore be difficult for some. However, the first 45 minutes allow you to warm up before tackling the tough climb to the antennas. A beautiful route.

This walk in the Roc d’Orque massif takes place largely on the south-facing side, which is lovely at this time of year. A lovely route at the foot of high limestone cliffs, passing close to a large waterfall that cascades down from the base of one of them. A resurgence causes the water to gush forth, having travelled through the mountain from the catchment area formed by the plateau above the cliffs. Well worth a visit. Hikers who completed this circular route after Storm Nils reported difficulties in following the route from the starting point (10). Extensive work has been carried out by a forestry company, enabling the route to be restored. See Practical Information.

Starting from the Andabre sports complex, opposite the cemetery, this is a lovely walk in a corner of the Hérault that once lived off coal mining. Although mining ceased in the early 1990s, it has left a lasting impression on the local community. This walk gives you an insight into another type of activity, still practised today, namely agriculture, specifically chestnut farming.

This route passes through the ridges of the Serre de More, which overlooks the Mare and Casselouvre valleys. It crosses the Portail de Roquandouire, a surprising natural gateway.

A superb circular route, climbing up to the Plo des Brus plateau via the Saint-Eutrope ridge, before descending via the Roquandouire Gate. Start at the foot of the Mare, the river that runs through Andabre. Head towards the Notre-Dame de Saint Eutrope chapel, then climb the ridge of the same name towards the plateau. Descend via the Serre de Majous to the Portail de Roquandouire, to reach the village of Andabre in the middle of the broom bushes. There are few markings in the middle of the hike => follow the GPX track carefully.

This circuit is very elegant and very sporty, going around the valley formed by the Provères stream. For most of the route, you will enjoy distant views in almost every direction. At the end of the route, the gorges formed by the Bouissescure stream are very wild and have exuberant vegetation.

From the Dourdou valley, the path climbs up to the Plo de Canac through stony slopes and boxwood forests. The steep climb at the start is rewarded with beautiful views once the walker reaches the maquis plateaus, perfumed by the warm scents wafting in from the Mediterranean.

A superb circular route starting from Castanet-le-Haut: can be done in one day or over two days with a stopover at the bivouac in Caissenols-le-Haut. Ascent to the Plo des Brus plateau via the Razigade ridge, passing through the Col de l'Ourtigas, then descent to the abandoned hamlet of Caissenols-le-Haut. Continue towards the Roquandouire gate, heading towards Saint-Gervais along the ridge, before joining the GRP® de la Mare trail and following it upstream along the river towards Andabre and then Castanet-le-Haut.

From the Graissessac Mining Museum via the Castan district, climb up alongside the old mining spoil heaps towards the Chapelle Saint-Laurent and Les Nières, then return via the Pommier mine, the arboretum, the Saint-Simon mine and the Chemin du Papin.

This route is notable for having two climbs, the second of which comes after more than half the route has already been covered, making it harder to tackle. The paths are often of the ‘Caroux’ type, i.e. very stony, but there are still sections of well-surfaced paths as well as tracks. At the top of the Serre de More, a large section has been ravaged by fire, but this in no way detracts from the landscape and the magnificent 360° view.

This hike, starting from Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare, has the advantage of taking you to the Portail de Roquandouire via a short out-and-back route, whilst avoiding the climbs up to the Serre de More and the ridge section. It takes you through the hamlets of Compeyre and Cours le Haut, before starting a circular route that offers a glimpse of the ruined castle of Nébuzon and leads to the start of a track. We will briefly leave this track to follow a balcony path on a short round trip to the foot of the Portail de Roquandouire. The return to Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare will be downhill via theGRP®. It is a lovely hike offering beautiful views. The most physically demanding part will be completed in the morning before the lunch break.

A pleasant circular route starting from Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare, passing through the Col de l'Ourtigas, Douch and the Caroux plateau, with its heather stretching as far as the eye can see, offering exceptional panoramic views of the valley and the Pyrenees on a clear day. Gravel paths, the remains of shepherds’ huts, old dwellings and the impressive Roquandouire Gate with its unobstructed view of the Mare Valley. This hike is classified as very difficult due to its length and elevation gain… in reality, the climb is very gradual, in distinct sections and without any sudden changes in gradient. As for the duration, quite frankly, the landscape is so magnificent and varied that with a bit of training, you won’t even notice the time passing…

Here is a brief overview of the Avène Reservoir, starting from Ceilhes-et-Rocozels, first climbing up Mont Redon, south of the village. After the Rouvignac chapel and the holiday lodges, the route approaches the left bank of the Orb, which feeds the Bouloc lake, developed for outdoor leisure activities (water sports, camping). ⚠️ 11/05/2026:In winter and spring, and after heavy rain, when the reservoir is full, the walk may be impassable between points 8 and 10. It is possible to avoid walking along the banks by following the route shown on the IGN map between points 7 and 10.

From Ceilhes-et-Rocozels, in Haut-Languedoc, near the ‘border’ with Aveyron, here’s an opportunity to head for the hills, in the Monts d’Orb State Forest, towards the Rocher du Canari on the edge of the Tesserièyres Plateau. The Ruisseau de Jure will then serve as your guide back to the village, which lies on the banks of the Orb, a coastal river regulated by the Avène Reservoir.

This hike above Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare will take you up to higher ground in the first half, where you can admire a magnificent panorama. From the Pétète d'en Cabausse, above the Col des Treize Vents, or from the Mouscaillou, you can enjoy a 360° view: the Vissou, the Languedoc plain and the Mediterranean to the south; Serre de More, the Orques cliffs and Marcou to the north. Then it's time to descend through a chestnut grove where, from autumn onwards, the streams that dried up during the summer begin to sing again.

This large circular route will first take you to the Croix de Marcou, where you can enjoy a sublime view at an altitude of over 1,000 m. You will then set off again to climb up to the Portail de Roquandouire on the opposite slope. The return via Serre de More will allow you to discover the rugged landscape typical of the Caroux. This hike is reserved for experienced walkers who enjoy climbing.

In a remote and uncrowded area, you will pass through valleys and ridges in the heart of the Monts-d'Orb national forest, renowned for its plantations of Laricio pines native to Corsica.

A circular walk along good paths, taking in the impressive mining faces of the coalfield, followed by a visit to the small, restored Saint-Sauveur Chapel and its rural setting.

A very pretty, unmarked hike, taking paths and trails that sometimes run along the hillside and reveal varied landscapes, including the remains of mining activity, in the hinterland of western Hérault. There are a series of ascents and descents, but they do not require significant physical effort. It is a complete change of scenery for hikers looking for diversity.

The walk is mainly in the shade of the forest. Very pleasant to do during hot weather.

South of Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare and on the northern part of Caroux, in the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park, this route follows ancient paths through chestnut groves and coppice woods.

The walk starts from the Route de Camarès in Brusque, which passes through the hamlet of Ouyre. If you avoid days when there are pétanque tournaments, you’ll find a parking space at the side of the road.

Walk around the former mining site of Camplong, where you will find the Durand Pit headframe and, at the top of the hill, in the middle of a chestnut forest, the restored 12th-century Saint-Sauveur Chapel, which overlooks Camplong, Saint-Étienne-d'Estréchoux and Graissessac. The circular dry stone wall a few dozen metres from the sanctuary is an old cemetery.

On the second day, you can return to Colombières sur Orb from the summit of Espinouse via the Héric gorges.

Through a coniferous forest, we discover the Russian Orthodox Chapel nestled in the heart of the woods, in an idyllic green setting. Time to pause and meditate on this magical place. Superb views. The trail is mainly woodland, which is pleasant in hot weather.

A lovely circular route starting from the Col de l'Ourtigas, with the Plo des Brus viewpoint and belvedere, the descent from the Serre de Majous, the Portail de Roquandouire pass, the return via the Casseloubre valley, the abandoned village of Caïssenols and the climb back up to the Ourtigas via the stream of the same name in the forest.

A walk through the hills above the medieval village of Boussagues, amongst the vineyards and ancient terraced fields, which can be extended with a visit to the village.

A short walk in the Rougier de Camarès at the foot of the village of Gissac and its castle. We are in the heart of the famous Rougier de Camarès, which has featured in television reports on several occasions. In fine weather, the scenery is beautiful and the tranquillity here is restful. Don’t be surprised to come across sheep; you are on their territory here.

A lovely climb through holm oaks, kermes oaks and broom.