Pioch Michel and Pioch Madame, two peaks offering panoramic views

Two peaks in the Gardiole range offering views of the Gulf of Lyon. From the summit of Pioch Madame, you can see La Grande Motte and the summit of Pioch Michel, with unobstructed 360° views.
To the north-east, you can see Villeneuve-les-Maguelonnes and La Grande-Motte; to the east, you can see the Espiguette lighthouse; to the south-west, the Sète mountain and the Étang de Thau; and to the north, La Gardiole.
If the sky is clear, you can even see the Pyrenees.

This hike may be prohibited depending on the fire risk level. Remember to check the map.

Details

868897
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.30 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 1h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 110 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 108 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 151 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 63 m

Photos

Description of the walk

In Frontignan, follow signs for Salle Nicola Karabatic. After the sports hall car park, continue along the tarmac road and go up to the end, then continue for 50 m along the stony path and park.

(S/E) Take the path heading north, which climbs up to the loop around Pioch Michel.

(1) At the crossroads, keep left and admire the view of the Gardiole side. Follow the track to the next intersection.

(2) Turn left to make a round trip to the summit of Pioch Madame. To do this, reach cistern 191.

(3) Take the path to the left of the cistern towards Pioch Madame. Reach the summit to admire the landscape on the east side through a gap. On a clear day, you can see Mont Ventoux.

(4) Retrace your steps to the northern crossroads of the loop around Pioch Michel.

(2) Continue straight ahead on the left-hand track, climbing uphill. At the three-way junction, take the right-hand path towards the summit of Pioch Michel and continue to the summit.

(5) Enjoy the 360° view, then return to the previous crossroads. Turn right at an acute angle to continue the loop until you reach the track you took at the start.

(1) Descend to the left towards the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 63 m - Departure from the small car park
  2. 1 : km 0.47 - alt. 107 m - This joins the loop around Pioch Michel
  3. 2 : km 0.87 - alt. 115 m - Fork in the path towards Pioch Madame
  4. 3 : km 1.24 - alt. 119 m - Cistern 191
  5. 4 : km 1.68 - alt. 151 m - Summit of Pioch Madame
  6. 5 : km 3 - alt. 145 m - Panoramic view, summit of Pioch Michel
  7. S/E : km 4.29 - alt. 63 m - Return to the small car park

Notes

The paths are very passable, but wear good shoes as they are always a little stony.
In summer, bring water as the route is not always shaded.

Alternative
(5) From the summit, you can descend via the very steep and rocky path heading south.

Worth a visit

You can see dry stone huts, evidence of past activity.
View of the vineyards nestled in the heart of the Gardiole.
Panoramic view from the summits.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 33 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.5 / 5
gff120453
gff120453

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short hike offering beautiful views of coastal ponds and marshes.

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User 21807214

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and very easy hike with a beautiful view from the summit
The starting point was not easy to find.
In fact, it is better to park your vehicle in the car park of the Nicola Karabatic sports hall and start the hike from there. This adds about 500 metres to the walk

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Guy25
Guy25

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 04, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Easy hike with magnificent views of the sea, ponds and heathland. A challenging route is also available.

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Sandra dom
Sandra dom

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

An easy and pleasant walk with lovely views

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phidet
phidet

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely short hike offering two magnificent panoramic views.

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Christine LR
Christine LR

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

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

An easy circuit that isn't too long. Few hills and well signposted. There's even a fitness trail for the more athletic visitors

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jrf
jrf

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike done with children aged 7 and 10. No difficulty along the route by following the signs at the trail junctions. Beautiful views from the tops of the two peaks. We came across mountain bikers and joggers.

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Anassou
Anassou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Beautiful landscapes. We didn't see Mont Ventoux, just a lot of brown on the horizon.

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Escursione18
Escursione18

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 25, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike in the Gardiole. Incredible panoramic views. The hike is easy going. I recommend it

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Bernard39
Bernard39

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 13, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant walk on a gentle slope.
The scenery is beautiful.
Don't miss the unusual surprise below the starting point: a park where a few dromedaries and camels graze...

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D1
D1

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Thank you. I recommend this wonderful discovery

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JPA25000
JPA25000

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 01, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, the hike was interesting but there was a lack of signposting (yellow rectangles were advertised but there were none on the trail). The fitness trail was practically non-existent

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Nad34
Nad34

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 03, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very easy and beautiful view

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DELOYS Mireille
DELOYS Mireille

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

another magnificent hike in the Gardiole mountains with surprising encounters (camel rides organised for children) and, above all, superb views

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CHAVIZE
CHAVIZE

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A short walk, ideal for getting back into walking without overexerting yourself (knee prosthesis)

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