Mont Haut and Ermitage du Bois de Monnier

Mont Haut, isolated between the Alzon valley and the Pompignan plain, offers breathtaking views of the entire Cévennes region as far as the Aigoual massif. Hidden away in its holm oak woods is a hermitage, a true haven of peace.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.97 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 391 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 393 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 525 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 172 m

Photos

Description of the walk

In Montoulieu, park on the grassy areas before the bridge on the right-hand side of the road leading to Mas Neuf.

/A:: Continue along the small road and pass Mas Neuf.

(1) At the bend, turn right. The road climbs and then levels out. Continue to a fork in the road.

(2) Turn left onto the dirt track that climbs uphill. Continue to the edge of Calaven.

(3) Leave the path to take a look. Be careful, this karstic cave is very deep and unprotected. Hold young children by the hand.
Retrace your steps and continue along the path. The climb becomes steeper, then gently descends to a crossroads. Continue left until you reach the Mont Haut signpost, which points towards the 900 m summit.

(4) Turn right onto the path in the hollow of a valley until you reach the next signpost.

(5) The signpost indicates the direction of Mont Haut, 300 m away. Turn left and begin a steep, rocky climb where you may need to use your hands to help you over some rocky sections. Blue or yellow markings indicate the route. You will arrive at a flat section of the climb.

(6) Turn left and descend towards a wooden post. Continue climbing to the summit.

(7) Begin a steep, rocky descent, still following the markings. The slope becomes gentler and less steep, and the path leads to a crossroads with a signpost.

(8) Turn right onto the path towards the chapel, Ermitage du Bois de Monnier.

(9) After visiting the Ermitage site, retrace your steps to the previous junction.

(8) Follow the path opposite towards Montoulieu. Keep right at the crossroads. After a few bends and hairpin turns, the path descends to the hamlets of La Jasse Neuve and La Vielle.

(10) At the crossroads, turn left onto the road, then leave the tarmac road at the exit of the hamlet and turn onto a small path that leads back to the starting point.

(1) Turn right to return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 174 m - Car park before the road bridge leading to Mas Neuf. - Alzon (rivière) - Affluent de l'Hérault
  2. 1 : km 0.24 - alt. 181 m - Le Mas Neuf
  3. 2 : km 1.84 - alt. 266 m - Montguilhem fork
  4. 3 : km 3.42 - alt. 332 m - Karstic cave Aven Calaven
  5. 4 : km 5.48 - alt. 357 m - Ortigue crossroads
  6. 5 : km 5.84 - alt. 410 m - Combe de l'Ortigue
  7. 6 : km 6.12 - alt. 501 m - Ressaut
  8. 7 : km 6.28 - alt. 525 m - Mont Haut (525 mètres)
  9. 8 : km 7.34 - alt. 387 m - Crossroads
  10. 9 : km 7.65 - alt. 393 m - Hermitage
  11. 10 : km 11.06 - alt. 203 m - La Vielle fork
  12. S/E : km 11.97 - alt. 174 m - Car park before the road bridge leading to Mas Neuf.

Notes

Water source at the Ermitage well.

Please note: the climb to Mont Haut is rocky and challenging. Sturdy walking shoes are essential.

Avoid doing this hike in hot weather.

Worth a visit

See the Calaven karstic cave. It can only be accessed by abseiling.
Beautiful view from Mont Haut.
Visit the chapel at the Ermitage de Notre-Dame du Bois de Monnier. Close the door after your visit. This is an ideal spot for a picnic (tables and well available).

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 9 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.9 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.4 / 5
Mijo34
Mijo34

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A pleasant route with no major difficulties. The stony climb up Mont Haut is a bit tricky, but it’s an optional route to reach the hermitage. A lovely spot with picnic facilities. Beautiful views of the Cévennes

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locico
locico

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 23, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Lovely walk in fine weather with beautiful views stretching all the way to the Pyrenees.

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PIERRE MONNIER
PIERRE MONNIER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike that is more moderate than difficult: fairly short, with a reasonable elevation gain and a long climb over rocks that is not difficult. The view is magnificent. The trails and paths are pleasant. The Monnier Chapel and its grounds are ideal for a lunch break. This beautiful hike must be much more difficult in the heat, especially the climb over the rocks. It took us 4 hours in very good conditions, with sunshine and a temperature of around 4 degrees.
Don't hesitate to give it a go... With good footwear.
PP, 79, and MM, 78 (experienced hikers).

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pousscailloux
pousscailloux

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

A beautiful hike with stunning views of the Cévennes in autumn colours. The climb adds a little "pep" to this walk, which seemed very peaceful at the start. We ate in the sunshine on a sharp limestone pavement because it had rained the day before, but the shaded hermitage is equipped with tables for lunch.
Thank you for this beautiful hike.

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NAELLE30
NAELLE30

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 15, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice hike, a bit technical going up the slope.
But hey, we did it.👍
For lunch, head to the Hermitage Notre Dame de Monier (a little piece of paradise).
The return trip is very pleasant.

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laurent.vanoverveld
laurent.vanoverveld

Lovely hike on 28 December, well signposted and peaceful. The rocky climb is very manageable and there is a superb view from the summit.

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midld
midld

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Description still valid.

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Sylvie 34160
Sylvie 34160

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 27, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant hike with magnificent views of the Cévennes. One section is a little more difficult and technical, with rocky terrain and climbs where you sometimes need to use your hands, but it is entirely doable if you are careful (especially with your ankles). The Ermitage chapel is worth a detour.
Avoid this hike in hot weather. There are no water sources.

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kris.teyran
kris.teyran
• Edited:

Thank you, athmos.oner, for your insightful comment. It is indeed best to avoid periods of hot weather.

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athmos.oner
athmos.oner

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The start of the hike isn't particularly exciting, as it's on a tarmac path with no shade (it was 28°C on that day in April!!!). Fortunately, the climb offers some pretty paths with shady spots where you can take a break and admire the scenery. I didn't meet a single soul, and in any case, the tiny car park can only hold a maximum of three cars.
The end of the climb over the rocks requires really good hiking boots.
The view from the summit is beautiful, and you can savour the "heart of the mountain" (you'll understand when you do the hike).
The hermitage (which is always open!) is very nice with tables in the shade. A word of advice: start the hike early in the morning, enjoy a lunch break at the hermitage and finish with a descent in the sunshine.

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LudV
LudV

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, varied and very well-marked hike. (We missed the karstic cave, but we'll catch it next time!)

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Agnès Dupont
Agnès Dupont

A very beautiful first part 😍 (up to point 7). Crossing a magnificent "green tunnel" (the only thing missing was fairies 😉).
However, to find a karstic cave, keep to the right and after about 50 metres start looking on the right-hand side, you'll see some large rocks and that's where it is!
Impeccable signposting 👍🏼

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