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Riols walks
The Jaur Valley and Notre-Dame-de-Trédos
Visorando Member
8.09 mi
+1,624 ft
-1,637 ft
5h 10
Moderate
Departure from Riols (Hérault)
This circuit overlooks the Jaur valley and offers breathtaking views of the Somail massif and the Saut de Vezoles, before revealing the fabulous Chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Trédos.
Sentier des 1000 Marches - Saut et Lac de Vezoles
10.36 mi
+2,178 ft
-2,188 ft
6h 40
Difficult
Departure from Riols (Hérault)
This trail is a marvel exploring the Saut de Vezoles and its lake with spectacular amenities.
The Chemin des Légendes and its thousand steps
6.94 mi
+2,083 ft
-2,083 ft
5h 00
Difficult
Departure from Riols (Hérault)
Above Riols, this trail takes you by the hand through the Somail mountains, explaining, marker after marker, schist and gneiss, menhirs and dolmens, and of course the legend of the Saut de Vézoles. A tough climb but well worth it. A magnificent hike.
The tour of Lake Vezoles
3.84 mi
+131 ft
-115 ft
1h 55
Easy
Departure from Fraisse-sur-Agout (Hérault)
In a forest setting, peat bogs with remarkable wildlife punctuate this walk around Lake Vezoles.
Loop from Saint-Étienne d'Albagnan via Notre-Dame-de-Trédos and Prémian
7.80 mi
+1,332 ft
-1,355 ft
4h 45
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne-d'Albagnan (Hérault)
The highlights of this hike are a visit to the Notre-Dame-de-Trédos chapel, the stone bridges at St-Étienne d'Albagnan and Prémian, and a few kilometres along the Passa Païs greenway between Bédarieux and Mazamet.This is the first Visorando hike linking Saint-Étienne d'Albagnan or Prémian to Notre-Dame-de-Trédos. This hike can be started from either Prémian or St-Étienne d'Albagnan.There is also a well-known and slightly more difficult loop starting from Riols towards Notre-Dame-de-Trédos.
The Eagle's Nest in St-Étienne-d'Albagnan
Tourist office3.11 mi
+761 ft
-741 ft
2h 05
Moderate
Departure from Saint-Étienne-d'Albagnan (Hérault)
PLEASE NOTE (Information dated 13 February 2026): for your safety, following recent bad weather, the routes are closed until further notice.
The trail will take you to the heights of St-Étienne. It offers beautiful views of Le Somail, L'Espinouse, Les Avant-monts and the Jaur valley. A few passages through the undergrowth allow you to cool off in hot weather.After heavy rain, the trail is not recommended (stream crossing).
Loop of the ridges in Pardailhan
6.13 mi
+1,004 ft
-1,027 ft
3h 40
Moderate
Departure from Pardailhan (Hérault)
Hike on the ridges of Pardailhan at an altitude of around 800m. Loop through pine and chestnut forests with superb views on clear stretches. There are several places on the way where you can stop for a picnic.
A Gallic bridge in the Somail Forest
10.26 mi
+1,010 ft
-1,010 ft
5h 35
Moderate
Departure from Courniou (Hérault)
A superb, shaded hike in the Monts du Somail, which is very pleasant in summer to enjoy the coolness of this beautiful forest. It does not present any particular difficulties. The trail is dotted with a few items of cultural heritage. The Moulin de Mathas, now in ruins, where you can still admire a superb water reservoir, made of stone, which was used to supply the mill. Further on, the Pont Gaulois (Gallic Bridge) next to a pretty waterfall.
From Gaillergues to Saint-Vincent-d'Olargues
3.87 mi
+617 ft
-614 ft
2h 20
Easy
Departure from Saint-Vincent-d'Olargues (Hérault)
Starting from the Passa Païs Greenway in Gaillergues, the route follows tracks and paths that climb gently up to the Church of the Commandery of the Knights of St John of Jerusalem. It offers ever-changing views of the Jaur valley and the peaks: Caroux-Espinouse, Col de Fontfroide, Somail, Avant-monts
The Cross of Saint Martin
9.63 mi
+1,010 ft
-1,033 ft
5h 20
Moderate
Departure from Le Soulié (Hérault)
This shaded route in the Monts du Somail National Forest ranges in altitude from 895 m to 1050 m and is ideal for summer cycling. It should be done clockwise to avoid the sunniest areas in the morning and enjoy the cool shade of the forest in the afternoon.
Les Planques Héraultaises
10.58 mi
+883 ft
-873 ft
5h 40
Moderate
Departure from Le Soulié (Hérault)
The planques are ancient footbridges built with huge stone slabs connected by metal staples and supported by dry stone walls and one or two large blocks serving as pillars.
This superb circuit takes you through the Haut Languedoc Natural Park, across fields in the middle of the Somail National Forest, to discover these famous planques spanning the Arn stream and the Chemin des Menhirs.
This hike may be closed depending on the fire risk. Remember to check the map.
Crossing the Somail and Haut-Agout National Forests
10.52 mi
+436 ft
-2,096 ft
5h 15
Moderate
Departure from Le Soulié (Hérault)
A gentle stroll in the shade of two national forests. From Le Soulié, at an altitude of 900 m in the Somail National Forest in the Hérault, you descend gently to Labastide-Rouairoux through the Haut-Agout National Forest in the Tarn. Here, the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park hides a mystery: what might Le Somail have looked like when the dolmens and menhirs that line this route were erected?
This hike may be prohibited depending on the fire risk level. Remember to check the map.
The Camboussels valley
4.10 mi
+699 ft
-699 ft
2h 30
Easy
Departure from Pardailhan (Hérault)
The route offers beautiful, unobstructed views in its first section before winding through the undergrowth towards the river and back up to Coulouma. Information boards provide insights into life in the Camboussels valley, from water management to farming and agriculture. Although not particularly difficult, the walk does require sturdy footwear (stony sections and paths through woodland) and a bit of stamina to climb back up to the hamlet!
The three balls from Rieussec
7.01 mi
+1,414 ft
-1,434 ft
4h 25
Moderate
Departure from Rieussec (Hérault)
In the heart of the foothills, between forest and heaths, the route follows paths and tracks climbing to the borders of five municipalities. It offers lovely views of the Pyrenees, the Caroux-Espinouse, the vineyard-covered plains and the Mediterranean.
Blue-marked route.
The Terrier Trail in Verreries-de-Moussans
3.28 mi
+784 ft
-794 ft
2h 10
Easy
Departure from Verreries-de-Moussans (Hérault)
This family-friendly walk takes you through woodland. Along the way, you’ll come across drystone shelters and dry-stone walls supporting terraces that were once cultivated. There’s a lovely view of the Col d’Usclats and the Somail mountains. Halfway along, you can stop for a break by the River Thoré.
Crossing the Monts du Somail via Lac de Vesoles
16.03 mi
+1,253 ft
-1,224 ft
8h 30
Difficult
Departure from Fraisse-sur-Agout (Hérault)
In the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park, you cross the Plateau du Somail at an altitude ranging between 900 and 1,000 metres, passing through forests and moorland. The balcony-like sections offer panoramic views of the valleys below and the other peaks of the Haut-Languedoc. After a break at Lac de Vesoles, a cliff-top descent overlooks the Saut de Vesoles and the Gorges du Ruisseau du Buraut, offering a bird’s-eye view of the Gulf of Lion.
La Salvetat-sur-Agout - La Maison de Payrac
8.50 mi
+1,663 ft
-978 ft
5h 20
Moderate
Departure from La Salvetat-sur-Agout (Hérault)
This is the most fun-filled day with the summer activities at the Maison de Payrac.Rock carvings, geobiological and floral curiosities line the path.The shores of Lake Laouzas offer lovely spots for a picnic, and its crystal-clear water is perfect for a refreshing dip.
More walks in Riols
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