Saint-Étienne-d'Albagnan walks

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.

Starting from the Passa Païs greenway in Gaillergues, the circuit follows tracks and paths climbing gently to the Church of the Commanderie des Chevaliers de St-Jean-de-Jérusalem. It offers ever-changing views of the Jaur valley and the peaks: Caroux-Espinouse, Col de Fontfroide, Somail, Avant-monts

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.

This trail is a marvel exploring the Saut de Vezoles and its lake with spectacular amenities.

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.

One-day, fully signposted circular walk around Olargues.

In a forest setting, peat bogs with remarkable wildlife punctuate this walk around Lake Vezoles.

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.

Half-day hike starting from the hamlet of Mézeilles (commune of Vieussan) to reach the Pic de Naudech (753m) and enjoy several viewpoints.

This is the first day of the Haut Languedoc trip. It will take at least 5 hours to reach Douch. The climb to the Col de la Maure is unmarked but follows a well-marked, safe path. See § Practical information (¹).The access to the Col du Bardou is beautiful. The descent to the Ruisseau d'Héric and the climb back up to Douch via the hamlet of Héric are very varied.

Fifth of six balcony routes on the slopes and cliffs of Caroux, offering superb panoramic views and cliffs in a very mineral environment consisting of ledges and ridges. Aerial, athletic and technical route, without being challenging or dangerous. Not to be attempted in wet weather, as the ground can be slippery in places, particularly around the boulders that need to be crossed. This route starts at the church in Mons, on a balcony in the Gorges d'Héric, facing west towards Bardou via the Piste supérieure du Cabalet, before descending via the Piste de la Réserve and crossing the river. It climbs back up opposite in the Cirque de Farrières via the Piste des Hirondelles, before continuing horizontally along the Piste des Aiguilles, Piste des Garroffes and Piste des Triangles, descending via the Sentier des Gardes to the river, and finally returning to Mons via the chestnut grove.

View and passage through two villages isolated from the main roads, featuring beautiful stone houses. This hike may be prohibited depending on the fire risk level. Remember to check the map.

This hike, which is quite long but not difficult, allows you to discover varied landscapes. It follows part of the GRP® des Monts du Haut-Languedoc and the GR®653, which is one of the variants of the Chemins de Compostelle. It runs along the southern edge of Lake Laouzas and part of the upper valley of the River Agoût

This hike starts in Mons-la-Trivalle, a town known for its Gorges d'Héric, and explores the hamlets located on the southern slopes of the mountains. There are beautiful panoramic views of the Caroux massif, as well as hamlets nestled in the forest and carefully restored. The hike consists of a trip to the hamlet of Ornac on the other side of the Jaur, followed by a circular route through the various smaller hamlets: Courbou, Toulé and Fenouillède. The return trip is via Ornac.

Starting from Bardou (a small but charming private hamlet), the route joins the Tour du Montahut, where the view is simply magnificent! It then passes by the little Chapelle Saint-Martin-du-Froid, which offers a sumptuous view, and ends with a descent with a view of the splendid Caroux massif and the Gorges d'Héric.

This 14 km loop takes you past the main points of interest in the area: the Gorges d'Héric, the Refuge de Font Salesse, the Caroux plateau and its orientation table, and the very charming village of Héric.

This short circular walk offers beautiful views uphill to the north over the Caroux massif and downhill to the south over the Orb valley. This walk is particularly pleasant in spring or autumn.

A very pleasant circular loop with no difficulty except for the slightly steep climb from the Sentier des Gardes to the Col de Bartouyre, but the trail is indeed splendid and consists, for the most part, of easy-to-walk flagstone steps. Hikers are treated to superb views at the Col de Bartouyre.

Hike dominated by Le Caroux. Walk through vineyards and around mountains amid holm oaks and chestnut trees.

The last of six balcony routes, on the slopes and cliffs of Caroux, offering superb panoramic views and cliffs in a very mineral environment consisting of ledges and ridges. An aerial, athletic and technical route, without being challenging or dangerous. Not to be attempted in wet weather, as the ground can be slippery in places, particularly around the boulders that need to be crossed. This route starts from the hamlet of Héric, climbs to Roc Caroux via the Ravin des Hêtres, before descending to the Piste des Aiguilles via the Ravin du Rieutord, crossing the Col du Curé and Col de la Narquoise, before beginning the descent to Héric via the Piste du Pouce. A second, optional section of the route descends into Héric at the Roman bridge, then follows a circular path below the Fourcat d'Héric before returning to the starting point via the Sentier du Vialais.

In a varied landscape of rocks, broom, old farms and ruined hamlets. A discovery on the plateau: mouflon traps (not for hunting, but for monitoring populations).

This is the second day of the Haut Languedoc trip.Loop hike around the Montagne d'Aret.Depending on how much time you have, the hike can be shortened from (1) directly to (4). Updated by the author on 10 June 2025, as the OFB reports that after (6) it is a Caroux-Espinouse hunting and wildlife reserve. Unauthorised entry is a 4th class offence punishable by a €135 fine. The route and description have therefore been modified.

A bucolic circuit starting from Douch, passing through the Col de l'Airole and Col du Tirondel, offering beautiful views of the Gorges d'Héric and Gorges du Salis, and stunning panoramas of the hamlet and surrounding mountains (Roc Noir, Espinouse).

This iconic hike on the Caroux plateau allows you to discover the diversity of the Haut Languedoc's flora and fauna at an altitude of 1,000 m: deciduous and coniferous forests, streams, peat bogs, orientation table, and heathland covered with broom and heather. You will enjoy sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.

Access from the village of Douch to the plateau and Roc du Caroux, then a semi-climbing route and balconies around Roc de la Siejo, to go around the peaks and enjoy a 360° view of the Héric Gorges below. Return via the plateau to the village. ⚠️ Poor mobile phone reception in the rocks of the peaks. The circuit is challenging, so make sure you tell your loved ones about your route.

A variation on the classic Caroux plateau hike, allowing you to discover the diversity of the Haut Languedoc's flora and fauna at an altitude of 1,000 metres: deciduous and coniferous forests, streams, peat bogs, and heathland covered in broom and heather. You can also take advantage of an orientation table and sweeping panoramic views of the surrounding mountains and valleys. During the second part of the hike, you will discover the mineral world of the north and west faces of the plateau, which are wilder and less frequented, near Roc Caroux and the mouflon populations.

This is the third day of the Haut Languedoc journey, which will allow you to discover the Carroux plateau, deliberately abandoned by man. Landscapes as far as the eye can see in characteristic purple heather. Looking at the route on the map, it is possible to shorten or adjust the hike, but a good sense of direction is essential.

This very pleasant loop allows you to discover the work of our ancestors who, in order to communicate, cultivate and live, had created paths that hikers are now delighted to walk along. For our ancestors, sustainable development had not yet been imagined, they had simply created it. They were all a bit like Monsieur Jourdain.