Pézènes-les-Mines walks

For walkers who like to venture a little off the beaten track and who have a good sense of direction. A lovely walk through the maquis, the tops of the old bauxite quarries and the Bois de Levers, mostly in the shade apart from a few sections of quiet road.

Having found traces of this local road No. 13 on the 1827 land registry, I went in search of it. It starts at La Lieude and climbs up through the Las Moles valley. This hike is reserved for experienced hikers who are familiar with the terrain and enjoy getting off the beaten track. The path is not always easy to follow in the ruffes (red earth). Return via Mas Bousquet and Mas Valos le Vieux and Valos le Bas. No markings - GPS very useful.

A circular loop on the left bank of the Peyne climbs along the dam's reservoir opposite Vailhan to follow the local hiking trail, which is dotted with picnic tables and offers beautiful views.

Leaving Faugères, climb up to the mill and cross the heath dotted with drystone shelters...

Set in the heart of the Hérault heath, this route offers an immersion in a landscape typical of the southern Mediterranean, blending unspoilt nature with rural heritage. The walk begins at the Grotte de Soumartre, a natural formation comprising three distinct chambers, where you can admire beautiful limestone formations and spectacular stalactites, evidence of thousands of years of slow erosion. The route continues towards the Moulins de Faugères, former windmills historically used for grinding grain, the earliest traces of which date back to medieval times. Finally, the trail passes through a remarkable heritage of dry-stone construction, featuring agricultural terrace walls that once shaped the terraced fields, as well as ‘carabelles’ – small stone structures used as shelters or for agricultural tools – a legacy of traditional farming practices and the organisation of the region’s ancient gardens and crops.

A discovery walk organised by the Association des Pierres Sèches en Faugérois.A short walk accessible to all, following forgotten paths rediscovered by the Association Pierres Sèches en Faugérois. It offers the chance to discover 15 carabelles – the local name for drystone shelters – among the many found in the Faugères area. The route is fully signposted in blue.

A pleasant hike with remarkable views and beautiful 360° panoramas of Mont Saint-Clair and the Mediterranean, Caroux, Pic de Vissous and Mont Baudille Séranne. We were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of the Canigou massif.

Set off to explore the village of Salasc, for a refreshing break, and its partly shaded hills, which offer views of the surrounding area and the Salagou valley. The Béals are irrigation channels that have long watered the gardens and are still used today in Salasc. This hike may be closed depending on the fire risk level. Remember to check the map.

Features of the route: heath, holm oak forests. Discover the heritage of dry stone buildings, testimony to the work of man. The art of dry stone has been listed as UNESCO cultural heritage since 2018. At the end of the route, visit the interpretive trail.

This hike takes you from Brenas to the Saint-Amans Chapel via a fairly easy and varied route.

Hike in the hills between Neffies, Vailhan and Les Crozes (hamlet of Cabrières). Beautiful views at the start and end of the route over the plains of Languedoc Roussillon. We were lucky that day to have a wonderful view of the Mediterranean, Canigou and the Pyrenees.

A short but very pretty hike in the Octon hills, offering views of Lake Salagou at the start. The destination is the small Romanesque chapel of Notre-Dame de Roubignac (7), but there are other places of interest along the way, such as the dolmen and the ruins of Octon Castle, visible from the other side of the valley.

Starting from Gabian, this 8 km hike takes you through the Hérault heath, amongst small hills, streams and the banks of the Thongue. An easy to moderate route, perfect for discovering an authentic, wild and peaceful corner of nature.

A challenging circular walk in the heart of the Hérault, the Resclauze de Gabian walk alternates between heath, woodland, ridges, steep sections and more technical stretches. It offers beautiful views over the hills, vineyards and villages of the area. The route also passes through an area of remarkable heritage: the Font de l’Oli, a former natural oil spring, whose oil was extracted as early as the 17th century for medicinal use; the Château-Abbaye de Cassan, a former priory founded in the 11th century, with its 12th-century Romanesque church and 18th-century castle; as well as the Church of Saint-Julien-et-Sainte-Basilisse in Gabian, of medieval origin and remodelled in the 16th and 19th centuries. This long and varied hike is classified as difficult: some sections are steep, technical or slightly exposed, with a rope sometimes provided as a handrail. A GPX track is strongly recommended.

Starting from Octon, this beautiful walk takes you to the ruins of Château de Lauzières and the 12th-century Romanesque chapel of Roubignac.

During this hike in the heart of a listed site, rich in natural, geological and scenic discoveries, you can explore the ruins of the old village of Cabrières at the foot of the castle, then climb the ridges of Vissou before ascending the peak to discover a breathtaking viewpoint.This hike follows twoPR®® trails, the “Drovers' Roads of Crozes” and then the “Pic de Vissou”. Not difficult, but still a bit of a workout.

An easy hike combining open areas with views of the Pyrenees and wooded areas. Along the route, you will see a coal mine shaft and the ruins of Tibéret, behind which is a multi-level mill powered by gravity from a water basin (now abandoned).

Hike with varied terrain and a beautiful view of the Pic de Vissou. The ruins of the Church of Saint-Gély d'Arques are a lovely spot for a picnic.Some sections are not marked and require the use of a GPS.

This trail winds through the heart of a listed site, rich in natural, geological and scenic discoveries. Leaving the village, the trail winds through the vineyards, climbs through the fragrant heath and reaches the impressive cliffs of the Pic de Vissou. This pleasant route offers many geological curiosities and, in particular, an amazing view of the Estabel terrace. In the background, the silhouette of Vissou serves as a landmark during this walk full of surprises. This hike may be closed depending on the fire risk level. Be sure to check the map.

A short but interesting walk to Cabrières Castle (3rd to 1st century BC), with fine views of the Pic de Vissou, the village, Mount Tibéret and the Pitrous valley. The route passes through the beautiful and renowned vineyards of the Cabrières Estabel AOC.

During this hike, you can discover the remains of the old village of Cabrières at the foot of the castle, the hamlet of Les Crozes, the Tiberet mills and the old paths, known as "drovers' roads" in Occitan.

The path to the top of La Soureille d'Izarne is quite steep, but the effort is rewarded with a superb view of the Pyrenees on a clear day. Walking along the ridges requires a little care, but there are no vertiginous passages. The rest of the route is easy.

Discover the dolomitic cirque of Mourèze, shaped by erosion, with exceptional views of the Lac du Salagou and the Mediterranean coast. This hike may be prohibited depending on the level of fire risk. Please consult the map.

An extreme challenge: this route takes you from the Cirque de Mourèze to the shores of Lake Salagou, followed by a climb up some of the most beautiful peaks and past several landmarks along the way. As many kilometres as there are places to visit! Prehistoric site and UNESCO Global Geopark, Natura 2000

This hike will offer you a panoramic view of Lac du Salagou and take you into the heart of the Cirque de Mourèze This hike may be closed depending on the fire risk level. Remember to check the map.

This is a pleasant hike that takes you through the Cirque de Mourèze and offers superb views of Lake Salagou. This hike may be closed depending on the fire risk level. Be sure to check the map.

A pleasant hike through the schistous terroirs of the Faugères wine region, with vines at all altitudes right down to the bottom of the "Meteor" crater.

A lovely walk through vineyards and holm oak woods.

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.

This walk takes you around the northern part of Lake Salagou, passing through the village of Le Puech. It takes you across the Cayroux plateau and to the village of Celles.

At the edge of Lake Salagou, there are beautiful views of the lake, first between the red cliffs and the blue waters of the lake, then from the balcony at the edge of the Auverne plateau.

A beautiful walk through a former mining site, among chestnut trees and terraced vineyards, overlooking a magnificent landscape.

Route on the Baumes volcano flow to see the Peyreficade menhir, without any particular difficulty.