Saint-Étienne-de-Gourgas walks

Surrounded by Austrian black pines and often offering panoramic views, this route invites you to climb higher with every step. You will be able to see the Caroux and Escandorgue mountains and even the Mediterranean Sea. Most of the route is on forest tracks.

Hike in the Notre-Dame de Parlatges National Forest, located on the southern edge of the Causse du Larzac plateau between 300 and 800 metres above sea level. Partly reforested with Austrian black pines, maples and deciduous oaks, it is home to golden eagles and griffon vultures and shelters several protected species such as the spotted salamander. In spring, there is an explosion of scents, particularly with the flowering of broom, coronilla and a large number of aromatic herbs.

To the south of the Causse du Larzac, the trail runs along a ledge overlooking the hamlet of Gourgas. Halfway up the cirque, a trail enters between woods and rocks and crosses the beds of the small tributaries of the Brèze stream: the karstic cave, the Figaret and the Rieussec. Below, the valley opens up to reveal varied landscapes: dark ravines here, bright meadows watered by numerous springs there. The route reaches the Pioch Blanc and then joins the hamlet via the Doumergarie bridge.

This hike will take you to the foothills of the Larzac plateau overlooking the Cirque du Bout du Monde and the village of Gourgas, returning via a magnificent forest trail. (!) The Tourist Office, Avenue des Moulins, 34184 Montpellier, has reported a problem on this hike (20 November 2025). A small temporary warning about this proposed route! A fairly significant collapse occurred in early November 2025 in the cliffs of the Cirque du Bout du Monde.The route described in this Visorando file will no longer be safe to use in the coming months...However, the official PR® route remains open, as it was not affected by the landslide.For your safety and the comfort of all, please use the official route, available on our website. Happy hiking, everyone! Gilles and Théo Nature Tourism & Protected Areas Division

This hike will take you to the Larzac plateau to discover its characteristic landscapes, two of its many chasms and the Mas de Rouquet, a testament to 19th-century agricultural activity.

In Soubès, follow the signs to the hikers' car park near the Impasse des Garennes retirement home. Then simply follow the yellow markings, passing through the botanical trail and then the old salt road, which leads to the foothills of the Larzac. This walk offers breathtaking views of the Cirque du Bout du Monde before returning to our starting point via the Camin Farrat.

A beautiful hike in the Parlatges forest. The entire climb is in the first part of the route. From Pas de Laïrette, the view is stunning, stretching as far as the Mediterranean and even the Pyrenees in good weather.The route sometimes follows unmarked paths. The large number of small trail junctions makes the use of a GPS device advisable.

A lovely, short and easy walk through the Parlatges forest, amongst the tall Austrian black pines. Most of the route is shaded and the car park at the start has picnic tables.

A beautiful route forming a circular loop, combiningPR® with part ofthe GR® 653, Chemin-de-Compostelle, the Prieuré Saint-Michel de Grandmont, the balconies of Soumont (and their bouldering spot), and the beautiful villages of Soumont and Usclas-du-Bosc.

Country walk to the Priory of Saint-Michel de Grandmont, which is well worth a visit for both its buildings and its grounds.

A hike in a pleasant valley with plenty of water and the Pas de l'Escalette, a spot steeped in history. The return via the plateau offers a wide view of the surrounding area. Moderator update on 27/01/2021: some of the paths used in this itinerary have disappeared. However, there is a yellow-marked trail on site. See the reviews from January 2021.

On the southern edge of the Larzac Plateau, this walk offers magnificent views of the landscapes below the plateau, stretching almost as far as the sea. Part of the route is shaded (pine forest), but generally the vegetation is typical of southern Larzac (dry, open grasslands with a rich and varied flora). Very flower-filled in spring.

This varied route mainly follows small roads with little traffic.

In a limestone circus setting, this circuit climbs to the foot of the cliffs, offering views of the Lodève countryside. After a refreshing stop in the hamlet of Labeil and its converted cave, it continues on the plateau, enters a dark forest, then crosses the limestone plateau amid a chaotic rock formation.

A beautiful walk, without major difficulty and well marked, that takes you through scrubland and forests, cliffs and limestone plateaus.

An easy and very pleasant walk in spring in a setting typical of southern Larzac. Magnificent views around the Cantercel area. It allows you to discover several unusual spots: the “Aven de Vitalis” karstic cave, the Goutal spring and a boat perched on the mountain...

Randonnée sans difficulté, sur de larges pistes, avec quelques beaux points de vue. Entre (D/A) et (5) autre option de départ par le GR®.

A hike to enjoy in winter or summer; the outward leg takes you through refreshing woodland, whilst the climb back up to Saint-Baudille is in open country but offers 3D views from one of the highest points in the department.

During the hike entitled “The Devil’s Canyon and the Gibret Cross”, we discovered the extraordinary part of the canyon. The hike described today, which offers a striking contrast in scenery, covers only the canyon section. It is an exceptional geological site that we wanted to show our friends without having to repeat the long hike we had done previously. It unfolds within a very distinctive geological formation known as a “ruffe” (a term used in the Hérault region to describe the red soils formed from pelites). The hike is a round trip and presents no particular difficulties.

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.

At the gateway to Lodève and Lake Salagou, on the Cayroux plateau, discover dolmens, drystone shelters and stone enclosures as you cross a landscape of "ruffes", an astonishing red earth.

A beautiful hike with 360° views on very good paths. The ridge section is exposed to the wind.

A pleasant hike in three stages. The first part crosses vast areas of pastureland, the second allows you to wander through a "lunar" landscape amid dolomitic rocks, and the third, in the undergrowth, runs alongside streams that you have to cross. This diversity of landscapes makes this hike easy and interesting.

On this hike, we will be able to access the orientation table at Mont Saint-Baudille, the highest point in southern Larzac (848 m), and enjoy a breathtaking view of one of the most beautiful panoramas in the Mediterranean Languedoc.

A beautiful hike with unobstructed views along the entire route. The hike is long but does not present any particular difficulties. The climb to Mont Saint-Baudille is very gradual and the view is well worth the effort.

This hike from Arboras will take you through wild countryside with beautiful views of Mont Saint-Baudille. Much of the route is shaded, either in the undergrowth or in the beautiful Parlatges forest, making it possible to enjoy this hike in the sunshine. The trails are easy (gentle slopes and very few stones), but the lack of markings on the ground means you need to be able to find your way around.

For lovers of Larzac who want to limit the endless distances.

Return to Saint Guilhem le Désert from Les Besses.

Overlooking the village of Saint-Saturnin-de-Lucian, the Rocher des Vierges, the highest point of the massif, offers breathtaking views. This interpretive route, perfect for exploring with family or friends, allows you to appreciate this unique site from a geological, historical and cultural perspective.

This hike follows small paths and forest tracks to reach Max Nègre, a remarkable geological site. The return route passes through the wild Joncas valley, where the Grotte des Fées cave opens up: a good torch allows you to visit the entrance for about thirty metres (stalactites and draperies).This route should be avoided in hot weather.

Arboras, a village located in the foothills of the Larzac. This route takes you through the Grotte aux Fées (a magnificent little cave) and up to the heights just below Mont Saint-Baudille.

A circular route starting from the archaeological stele on the D122 (Route des Lavagnes). Passing through Castelas de Montpeyroux and Arboras. Following thePR® Montpeyroux-Arboras and theGR®653(the Arles Way pilgrimage route). Two short circular loops around Arboras can be avoided, thereby shortening the circular loop by approximately 3 km.

A walk starting from Caylar and leading to La Couvertoirade. Cross the Larzac limestone plateaus to reach La Couvertoirade, a Templar town with its ramparts, and a village listed among the most beautiful villages in France.

From the charming little Causse village of Caylar and its legendary carved tree, a beautiful detour onto the Causse du Larzarc takes us to the medieval village of La Couvertoirade. The vegetation, typical of the great Causses, alternates between meadows, fields, and groves of pine and white oak trees. The paths are lined with box trees. From the top of the hills, at an altitude of around 800 m, the view stretches eastwards towards the Aigoual massif. A visit to the village of La Couvertoirade, founded by the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller, is a must.

The route is remarkable for its great diversity of sites and landscapes. Passage through the mountain via the Saint-Guiraud Tunnel. Ascent of the Lagarel Stream and the Devil’s Canyon.Ascent of the Deux Vierges.Panoramic views and return via the Yeuses track.Several challenges characterise the route:- lack of signposting along the vast majority of the route, but very well-defined, obvious and often bordered paths. -steep gradients concentrated between La Cascade du Diable and La Roque Courbe- slippery steep sections on the descent from the lime kiln slag heap and in the Ruffes corridor (more difficult on the descent; the circular loop should be completed in the suggested order).

This hike will take you to viewpoints overlooking the Lergue and Hérault valleys, passing through the rapids of the Lagarel stream and past the site of an old lime kiln. Bring a torch for the tunnel and a map as the route is not signposted. The GPX track will also be very useful.