Plateau and forests above Labeil

The hike combines sections of well-known routes (Haute Vallée de la Lergue, Corniches de Lauroux, Forêt de l'Escandorgue) with unmarked paths. A GPS is highly recommended. In clear weather, the views are superb, overlooking the Cirque de Labeil. There is a wide variety of landscapes and environments.

Details

3925442
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 13.81 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 360 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 360 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 782 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 652 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park above the hamlet of Labeil,

(S/E) Cross the road and take a well-marked path opposite the car park. Follow it to the intersection with the path running along the cornices.

(1) Take this path on the left.

(2) Leave an old path marked in blue and yellow on your left. A few metres further on, before a descent, take the path marked with a yellow cross, which joins the old path marked in blue and yellow a little further on.
You will reach an intersection marked by a large cairn. Follow the path that continues to climb to the left to reach the plateau. Continue to the left.

(3) At the junction with another track, turn left.

(4) Leave the track and turn right. Follow the old tracks, first heading north-east, then turning south-east to rejoin the track visible towards the end of this section. The GPS track will be very useful on this section.

Take thePR® on the right.

(5) At the junction, take the marked path uphill on the left.

(6) Turn left onto a small, barely marked path. Use the GPS to cross this area, which appears to be old abandoned farmland or pasture, and eventually come out onto a marked path.

(7) Turn left, staying on the main path. Pass two paths on the left.

(8) Turn left and continue straight ahead until you reach a paved road (D151).

(9) Turn left and continue for about 700 metres.

(10) Take the gravel path on the right. Further on, walk along a field, keeping to the left, and reach its southern corner.

(11) Go through a clear gap in the hedge. Take the path on the left, which is grassy at first (a quick snip with the secateurs to keep it tidy) and then leads into the forest via a wide entrance.

(12) When you reach the wide track, turn left and then take a sharp right at the next junction.

(13) Turn left onto the path marked by a sign and continue to the road (D151).

(14) Turn right to descend slightly along the road and take a path on the left that leads back to the first fork in the road from earlier in the day.

(1) Turn left and return to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 713 m - Car park above the hamlet of Labeil
  2. 1 : km 0.41 - alt. 700 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 1.44 - alt. 670 m - Path with a yellow cross
  4. 3 : km 2.04 - alt. 724 m - Intersection with a wide track
  5. 4 : km 3.22 - alt. 729 m - Abandoning the trail
  6. 5 : km 4.25 - alt. 761 m - Small marked path
  7. 6 : km 5.76 - alt. 666 m - Leave the track on the left
  8. 7 : km 6.43 - alt. 727 m - Arrival on a path, on the left
  9. 8 : km 7.14 - alt. 731 m - Fork to the left
  10. 9 : km 8.15 - alt. 729 m - D151 road
  11. 10 : km 8.81 - alt. 739 m - Gravel path on the right
  12. 11 : km 10.43 - alt. 763 m - Gap in the hedge
  13. 12 : km 10.99 - alt. 732 m - Track intersection
  14. 13 : km 11.9 - alt. 739 m - Return left towards the Lauroux corniches
  15. 14 : km 12.66 - alt. 696 m - D151 road
  16. S/E : km 13.81 - alt. 714 m - Car park above the hamlet of Labeil

Notes

A GPS will be very useful as some parts of the route are not marked (old paths).

(14) Possible shortcut by following the D151 to the left to return directly to the car park.

Worth a visit

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 16 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.3 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Daurad
Daurad

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant route, although in some places you have to search for a path that is not very well marked due to low traffic, but thanks to the GPS track, this is easily remedied.

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loperation
loperation

A beautiful hike completed on 12/10/24, starting from the car park on the road above Labeil
a very varied route, magnificent beech woodland, and superb views over the Hérault plain

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Bobe51
Bobe51

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very varied hike in terms of both the landscape and the route, and we enjoyed fantastic weather over the All Saints' Day weekend and the heavy rains of the previous week, allowing us to discover a very green LARZAC.
The figure-of-eight route can be completed in two stages.
For our group, the time indicated includes stops.
In conclusion, I recommend this route, although on reflection, if I were to do it again, I would start at point 9 where the route joins the RD 151, where there is a car park.

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loperation
loperation

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

Very beautiful hike, varied with beautiful scenery, magnificent beech trees

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Akasashasha
Akasashasha

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 06, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike with a wide variety of landscapes. We particularly enjoyed the forest section, with its moss-covered trees and rocks... but be careful, as many of the yellow markings are missing, so it is possible to get lost!

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Jipé59
Jipé59

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 02, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike!
Starting at the Labeil cave allows you to complete a full loop with a very reasonable elevation gain.
The variety of landscapes and atmospheres is extraordinary.
Don't forget to end the day with a visit to the caves, which are very beautiful.

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Mariepierre34
Mariepierre34

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 20, 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, with a section that is a bit tricky for children at the beginning. Indeed, a GPS is essential on certain sections.

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marie christine 34
marie christine 34

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 18, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

a very beautiful hike on the Escandorgue! In fact, we started from the car park of the Lerab Ling Buddhist centre, which we visited after the hike! At first, the trails were beautiful, but after Roquet Escut, we had a bit of trouble finding the fork in the path that runs along the cliffs above Lauroux. However, the scenery between the rocks and streams was superb! There were people above Lauroux, where there are picnic tables, but otherwise we saw very few people! GPS is a welcome addition!

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lesvegas
lesvegas

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2022
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb walk for the scenery and flowers.
Not many people around during the holiday season.
GPS tracking is essential as some paths are poorly marked in places.
distance measured: 14.5 km
thank you

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Estrella106
Estrella106

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Hello, I did this walk this morning in just under 4 hours. It is very well signposted using the Vis
orando

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Guilhem nem
Guilhem nem

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk in the height of summer, setting off early at 8am to beat the heat.

Easy level, beautiful nature and landscapes

Please note: GPS is essential

Enjoy your hike!

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Fresneda
Fresneda

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

We went on this hike last week.
The scenery is magnificent.
as for the route and its description, the beginning is fine, but towards the end it gets tricky. Fortunately, we had a GPS with us and were familiar with some of the paths
a GPS and that we were familiar with some of the paths.
between the 11th and 12th, we couldn't find the path and had to retrace our steps.
Despite everything, we have fond memories of this hike because it is varied and there are lots of flowers at this time of year.

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titimarys
titimarys

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2021
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We were pleasantly surprised by this hike, which was particularly beautiful at this time of year with lots of flowers. It is very varied and, despite it being a public holiday, we hardly saw anyone, especially between points 2 and 9. We navigated solely using the very accurate GPS track, which we found essential given the numerous junctions we encountered in some places. What's more, this hike can be extended or adapted as there are many possible variations. In short, a wonderful discovery in the Escandorgue area, which we really appreciate. And a big thank you to the author.

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drsvt
drsvt

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A very beautiful hike without much difficulty. However, it is very windy, with few sheltered spots.
The landscape is varied and the views are magnificent. We came across quite a few people, including motorcyclists and many mountain bikers.

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Christelle Carpentier
Christelle Carpentier

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A beautiful, varied, wild walk, a little technical in places. I can confirm: GPS is essential in (4) and also in (11)

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