Saint-Félix de Monceau Abbey

A lovely walk without any specific difficulties, with views over the vegetation of the Gardiole massif, Mont Saint-Clair and the lakes. Due to the large number of DFCI trails and paths, you can adjust this hike as you wish.

Technical sheet

n°232420

Creation:
28 Mar 2016

Last update:
23 Jun 2025

Last review:
21 Apr 2025

Activity: Walking
Distance: 7.10 km
Average duration: 2h 30
Difficulty: Easy
Return to departure point: Yes
Vertical gain: + 171 m
Vertical drop: - 161 m
Highest point: 223 m
Lowest point: 111 m

Country: France
District: Gigean (34770)
Start/End: N 43.487572° / E 3.727392°
IGN map(s): Ref. 2743ET
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Description of the walk

The hike starts at the Abbey car park.

(S/E) After visiting the abbey and having enjoyed the views out over the lakes, follow the DFCI trail which starts on the left, sloping gently before slowly climbing upwards.

(1) At the fork, follow the path on the right and stay on it until you reach a pass (cistern).

(2) Take the path on the left and follow it up to the next crossroads, ignoring the other paths.

(3) Turn right and continue on the DFCI, ignoring the other paths which branch off here and there, up to the next pass.

(4) At the cistern, don't continue on the DFCI, but instead branch off immediately to the right onto a sloping path, which isn't very visible from the main path. Take the opportunity to have a look at the cave, to the right of the tank (20m of narrow galleries).
Go downhill until you reach a dry stream, then climb back up on the steep path opposite. Continue onwards, ignoring the different paths branching off on the left, until you re-join the path you started on, after the first pass. Head to the left and re-join the pass and the cistern.

(2) Continue on the path opposite which you took on the outward leg. Ignore the path on the right, 100m after the pass, and continue on until you see a second path branching off on the left. Turn left, passing in front of one of the dry stone huts which you find in this area (5) and return to the Abbey car park (S/E).

Waypoints

S/E : km 0 - alt. 156 m - Car park at Saint-Felix de Montceau Abbey
1 : km 0.79 - alt. 204 m - Fork, continue right
2 : km 1.39 - alt. 223 m - Crossroads, tank, keep left
3 : km 2.13 - alt. 218 m - Crossroads, follow DFCI to the right
4 : km 4.44 - alt. 143 m - Pass, cistern, take the faint path to the right
5 : km 6.99 - alt. 160 m - Drystone shelter
S/E : km 7.1 - alt. 157 m - Car park at Saint-Felix de Montceau Abbey

Practical information

Not many shady places on this walk - avoid in hot weather.

(2) If you'd prefer to leave the DFCI track for a bit, you can cut some sections out by taking the path on the right 100m after the pass. Go past point (1) again and return to the departure point.

In the nearby area

Abbey, caves, panoramic views over the lakes, Sète and Mont Saint-Clair.

Reviews and comments

4.6 / 5

Based on 90 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5

Clarity of route map
4.5 / 5

Route interest
4.6 / 5

DAANT

Apr 21, 2025 at 02:31 EDT • Last modified: Apr 21, 2025 at 02:34 EDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 20, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

We do it regularly at different times of the year, and it's always as beautiful as ever. We recommend you do it in April, when nature is waking up - you'll come back with wonderful colours in your eyes and in your head.
There are no major difficulties, just a slightly tricky climb of around 110 m over 400 to 500 m, but if you take it slowly and take a short break halfway up, you'll be rewarded with a magnificent view at the summit.
So take heart and enjoy the walk.

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Sylviane lannoy

Apr 07, 2025 at 05:57 EDT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Apart from a fairly difficult climb, the route is very pleasant, with some very nice spots with views over Sète and the Etang de Thau.

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Loumès

Mar 31, 2025 at 14:19 EDT

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant route

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pascal.forbin

Feb 03, 2025 at 05:29 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

It's a lovely walk with lovely views of the sea and the ponds; the climb back up after descending the cistern is pretty tough!

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NinaBlnd

Dec 09, 2024 at 05:10 EST

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Nov 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Easy route, with a beautiful abbey to visit. The advantage of the Guardiole massif here is that there are plenty of other paths, so it's easy to extend/add loops if you want to make your walk longer. The only slightly technical part is a fairly steep, scree slope that climbs steeply just after the cistern and the cave, so watch your ankles! And in summer, NO SHADOWS!

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Francine84

Sep 29, 2024 at 10:31 EDT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A pleasant hike with great views. Unfortunately, for much of the route, the Gardiole massif was badly damaged by the fire on 18 August. The grotte au point (4) is now very visible because all the heath has burnt down around it.
A pretty drystone shelter built into a wall at the point (5) . There is another easily accessible one just below.
Thanks for sharing.

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Pericz024

Sep 09, 2024 at 04:33 EDT

Overall rating : 3 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Clarity of route map : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Disappointing GPS tracking - the track may be in a difficult place, whereas on the yellow marking it is easier - no track at all.

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Olivier TGV

Jul 30, 2024 at 05:26 EDT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

A hike offering beautiful views, whether of the abbey of saint Félix de monceau, mont saint baudille, the coast with the old salt pans of Frontignan and Sète.
There's just one ascent between km 4.7 and 5.2, which in the summer temperatures of July 2024 alone merits a very difficult rating 🥵
With the app no problem following the route.

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Paccou

Jun 03, 2024 at 03:13 EDT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 02, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Easy route, beautiful scenery Frontignan, the lakes, Sète, Pic Saint Loup, ...

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mariepistache

May 27, 2024 at 12:31 EDT

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Lovely walk, profusion of magnificent flowers (end of May), no difficulty following the GPS track.

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Restor

Apr 08, 2024 at 03:40 EDT

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 07, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Lovely trail with magnificent views to do in spring. Chemins caillouteux Iris et fleurs avaient poussés après la pluie belle rando

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Marcheur83

Jan 17, 2024 at 06:07 EST • Last modified: Jan 17, 2024 at 12:06 EST

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

This walk, with its views so typical of the region near Montpellier, is a beautiful "snapshot" of unspoilt heath countryside, within easy reach of everyone, and gives access to an area equipped with several circuits. The monument, the abbey of Saint Félix de Monceau, has been restored and preserved by associations, and is a magnificent vestige undergoing restoration work. It is not open to visitors, however, but the building, gardens and surrounding ruins have plenty of character, and should be seen before or after your walk. The route is easy, interesting and well signposted. Beware of the many crossroads. Recommended for the change of scenery, the fresh air and the views of the hinterland and/or the lakes and sea. The only downside is that the damp ground is slippery, so avoid it in the summer sunshine. Sincerely

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ACG39

Jan 15, 2024 at 04:31 EST

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 10, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : No

Easy route - lovely views on either side of the Gardiole, along the coast or over the hinterland.

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SandG

Jan 15, 2024 at 02:26 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jan 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

An easy walk in the Guardiole massif, with just a short but steep climb towards the end.
It took 2 hours, with a drink break and a leisurely walk. The weather was cool and overcast that day, but otherwise the view was very beautiful.
We passed a few walkers, but mostly a lot of mountain bikers.

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Valeser

Dec 19, 2023 at 08:58 EST

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Dec 15, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A GPS-enabled route, with magnificent views of the sea and the lake. There's also the chance to visit the Abbey of Saint Félix de Monceau, a very pretty and well-maintained site that takes you back in time. A little noisy at the start of the tour, due to the presence of the motorway below.

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