Puéchabon walks

Reach the banks of the Hérault from Puéchabon. There are various routes, but not from this village with its hidden mysteries. The area you will be crossing will surprise the novice. Discover the flora and fauna, which has many surprises in store. Swimming is possible on the Hérault river. Everyone will be enlightened in their own way and will take away memories that may reinforce their choices and visions. Nature offers many surprises for those who are willing to linger.

(Warning) Part of the route is closed by municipal order. See comments posted on 15 February and 12 May 2025. From the Montcalmès plateau, near Puéchabon, you can see the exit of the Hérault gorges with a breathtaking view of the legendary village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. This small plateau, once grazed by sheep, is home to some beautiful sheepfolds, some of which have been abandoned. Below, the Saint-Sylvestre-des Brousses chapel is worth a visit, as is the famous Pont du Diable (Devil's Bridge).

Part of the hike is unmarked, following an old railway line and then tracks or paths. The return journey takes you through beautiful wild valleys, along a dry stream. Technically, the hike is not difficult. However, given the multitude of crossroads, a GPS is essential. Not recommended for novice hikers.

Mythical rocks, shaped over centuries by nature. Today, with a little effort of course, we can see these places steeped in history. The inhabitants are no longer here, but let us cherish a personal memory as we pass through the hamlet of L’Estagnol and the Mas d’Agre, whilst soaking up the atmosphere of days gone by; cross the Estagnol de Lacan plain and the Pont d’Agre, go round the Roc de la Jarre and the Mas de l’Arbousier, then head back down via Combe de Légeaux and part of Combe Malafosse.

This hike, which mainly follows shaded paths through the Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert National Forest, will allow you to discover magnificent landscapes over the Hérault Valley on the way there and beautiful panoramas of the Séranne Massif on the way back.

This trek works its way up from the Hérault valley to Roc de la Vigne. Leaving the village, off the beaten tracks, you'll explore Forêt Domaniale de Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert on cobblestone roads. Along the way, the remains of old farms, caves, a semi-troglodyte retreat and a breath-taking view from the top of Roc de la Vigne.

The Infernet cirque in all its splendour, with many viewpoints and many climbs too. Following a fire on 5 April 2023 on the heights of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Saint-Jean-de-Fos, the route remains passable but the Fenestrettes PR® is affected, as is the Arles route (GR®653). Please check with the Saint-Guilhem – Vallée de l'Hérault Tourist Office for information on the passability of the route.

Starting from the Argileum Museum in Saint-Jean-de-Fos, this walk follows the mountain paths overlooking the Hérault valley. The gradual ascent allows you to discover the typical landscapes of the Mediterranean heath, amongst holm oaks and pines, with unobstructed views of the surrounding hills. The route then reaches the Castellas de Montpeyroux, an ancient hilltop fortified site offering a remarkable panorama of the valley, the vineyards and the foothills of the Larzac. After this stop, the route continues in a circular fashion along other heath trails, passing by thousand-year-old olive trees before descending gently back towards Saint-Jean-de-Fos.

This short hike will give you a change of scenery in record time. Keep your eyes and ears open, but wear good shoes. On the plateau, you might even be able to see the sea. Following a fire on 5 April 2023 on the heights of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Saint-Jean-de-Fos, the route is still passable, but the PR® des Fenestrettes has been affected, as has the voie d'Arles (GR®653). Please contact the Saint-Guilhem - Vallée de l'Hérault Tourist Office for information on the practicability of the route. This walk may be prohibited depending on the level of fire risk. Please consult the map.

A short walk to do when visiting Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert to get a bird's eye view and discover the medieval village in its entirety.

Let's start with a nice climb up to the ridge of the Château du Géant (unfortunately, it is not open to visitors as it is private property). The trail enters the Saint-Guilhem national forest, once developed by monks, and leads to a chapel nestled in the shade. The trail then passes through Cap de Ginestet and Cap de Pousterle before returning to the magnificent village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert.

The Cirque de l'Infernet is a gigantic natural wall. Its impressive cliffs enclose the upper part of the Val de Gellone. Between these walls and the Verdus, scree from another time forms impressive slopes. To get to the 'Max Nègre' viewpoint, you'll have to follow a route used by pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. It passes through a splendid structure called "Les Fenestrelles". Following a fire on 5 April 2023 on the heights of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Saint-Jean-de-Fos, the route is still passable, but the Fenestrettes PR® has been affected, as has the Route d'Arles (GR®653). Please contact the Saint-Guilhem - Vallée de l'Hérault Tourist Office for information on the practicability of the route. This walk may be prohibited depending on the level of fire risk. Please consult

A circular two-day tour starting from Saint Guilhem le Désert. Start at the Verdus Gorges and the Cirque de l'Infernet and climb Mont Ste Baudille. Stop at Les Besses before heading back towards Le Coulet via theGR®74and returning to St Guilhem.

First part of a two-day circular route from Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert to the southern Larzac. Ascent via the Cirque de l'Infernet to reach Mont Saint-Baudille and arrive on the plateau. Following a fire on 5 April 2023 on the heights of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Saint-Jean-de-Fos, the route remains passable but the Fenestrettes PR® is affected, as is the Arles route (GR®653). Please check with the Saint-Guilhem – Vallée de l'Hérault Tourist Office for information on the passability of the route.

Vailhauquès, surrounded by its ruins, is an iconic place where the village, marked by its past and looking towards its future, proudly embraces its history. Discover unusual and surprising places, notably its dolmens on a north-west dial, which will spark the curiosity of history buffs.

A getaway to discover unusual places, notably the Rocher de Pampelune and its oppidum, as well as the Dolmen A at Mas Reynard. These iconic sites transport us to a distant past, allowing us to discover them. Some effort will be required to reach them, involving crossing paths, trails, streams, passages through undergrowth and coppice, and a few technical sections suitable for all. There are plenty of surprises in store for those who take the time to explore.

Hiking on tracks and trails. This outing, sometimes in the undergrowth, sometimes under the pines, does not present any particular difficulty for occasional hikers. In good weather, there are beautiful views from Puech Bartelié or over the Séranne.

A pleasant route on trails that are rarely used in winter: a blue lake at the bottom of an old red bauxite quarry, a hermitage lost in the heart of the forest and a panoramic view from the top of the Puech Bartelié antenna.

From the Roussières departmental estate to the prehistoric village of Cambous, this route takes you on a journey of discovery through Neolithic sites (tombs, dolmens, village) and the Termenou fountain, following ancient drovers' roads (paths used by sheep during transhumance). Crossing varied landscapes, ridges, undergrowth and meadows where asphodels abound in April, this hike also offers magnificent panoramic views of the Pic Saint-Loup, the Hortus and the Cévennes. This hike may be closed depending on the fire risk. Remember to check the map.

Le Barry, a small village at the foot of the vineyards and the ruined Château de Castellas, near the village of Montpeyroux, provides access to the trails and a route through ancestral lands, vineyards and the La Font du Griffe sheepfold to join theGR® 74 towards the legendary Mont Saint-Baudille. From this spot, the view stretches across all the surrounding mountains and plains. Descent via Le Pioch Farrio, Le Joncas and La Croix de Fer.

A beautiful walk in the hills above Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, starting from the Lacan plain and its menhir, which leads us to a sublime viewpoint above the Hérault gorges. From here, there is a 360° view of the Mediterranean, Pic Saint-Loup, Ventoux in the distance and the snow-capped peaks of the Alps, Mont Aigoual, Le Vissou, Canigou and the Pyrenees. Magnificent!

This hike takes you across the Seranne massif from north-west to south-east, offering a panoramic view of Saint-Guilhem dominated by its castle. You can visit the village and the abbey before climbing high up the path of an ancestral procession.

This hike is a great way to discover Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert in a different way, arriving via the Cirque de l'Infernet, without long lines of cars or queues at the car park. Following a fire on 5 April 2023 on the heights of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Saint-Jean-de-Fos, the route remains passable but the PR® des Fenestrettes is affected, as is the Arles road (GR®653). Please check with the Saint-Guilhem – Vallée de l'Hérault Tourist Office for information on the passability of the route.

Visiting Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and hiking through the beautiful limestone massif surrounding the village is well worth the effort. This circular route, with its varied landscapes, allows you to see the most picturesque spots in the area without having to rub shoulders with the crowds hiking in the massif.

From Champ de la Croix, at the start of the DFCI track, explore the foothills of Saint-Paul-et-Valmalle. An inspiring and surprising outing thanks to the places you’ll visit. Cross the Bois de Mascla and the Boscas ridges. Head to the Croix de la Gardie. Discover the ruins of the Tour d’Arthus. Wade across the Ruisseau du Coulazou. Walk along the old railway line. This leaves a lasting impression and immerses us in memories of times gone by.

The Source de la Buèges and the hamlet of Le Méjanel. Crossing the Cirque de la Séranne with views of part of the Buèges valley and the picturesque village of Pégairolles-de-Buèges. Reach the ridges and theGR® 74. Visit the Susterragne Cave. Walk in the footsteps of the former inhabitants of Mas Vieux and Larret. Cross the Séranne and Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert National Forest. Then reach the Source de la Buèges via the stream path.

This hike requires attention and monitoring of the GPX track, especially between points (11) and (12).Alternating between beautiful open views and wild valleys, often away from marked trails. It follows forest tracks and unmarked paths.