Saint-Geniès-de-Varensal walks

A short half-day hike to discover these magnificent surroundings. Despite its ‘easy’ rating and the minimal elevation gain, it features a fairly steep climb from Saint-Geniès-de-Varensal and a similarly steep descent after the Orquette ruins. Sturdy footwear and a good level of fitness are essential.

This hike forms a loop with a 360° view at the highest point, offering a magnificent panorama of the sea, the Carroux plateau and all the mountains to the north and east of this remarkable dome: Mont Marcou. The climb is quite demanding with steep slopes where you sometimes have to use your hands to climb rocky passages. The descent also has some fairly steep sections. This hike may therefore be difficult for some. However, the first 45 minutes allow you to warm up before tackling the tough climb to the antennas. A beautiful route.

This walk in the Roc d’Orque massif takes place largely on the south-facing side, which is lovely at this time of year. A lovely route at the foot of high limestone cliffs, passing close to a large waterfall that cascades down from the base of one of them. A resurgence causes the water to gush forth, having travelled through the mountain from the catchment area formed by the plateau above the cliffs. Well worth a visit. Hikers who completed this circular route after Storm Nils reported difficulties in following the route from the starting point (10). Extensive work has been carried out by a forestry company, enabling the route to be restored. See Practical Information.

This hike offers a unique circular route with, at the highest point, a 360° view providing a magnificent panorama towards the sea, the Carroux plateau and all the mountain ranges to the north and east of this remarkable dome: Mont Marcou. The ascent is quite demanding with steep slopes where you sometimes need to use your hands to climb rocky sections. The descent also features some fairly steep sections. This hike may therefore be difficult for some. However, the first 45 minutes provide a good warm-up before tackling the steep climb up to the antennas, and even beyond. A beautiful, wild and challenging route.

Starting from the Andabre sports complex, opposite the cemetery, this is a lovely walk in a corner of the Hérault that once lived off coal mining. Although mining ceased in the early 1990s, it has left a lasting impression on the local community. This walk gives you an insight into another type of activity, still practised today, namely agriculture, specifically chestnut farming.

This route passes through the ridges of the Serre de More, which overlooks the Mare and Casselouvre valleys. It crosses the Portail de Roquandouire, a surprising natural gateway.

A superb circular route, climbing up to the Plo des Brus plateau via the Saint-Eutrope ridge, before descending via the Roquandouire Gate. Start at the foot of the Mare, the river that runs through Andabre. Head towards the Notre-Dame de Saint Eutrope chapel, then climb the ridge of the same name towards the plateau. Descend via the Serre de Majous to the Portail de Roquandouire, to reach the village of Andabre in the middle of the broom bushes. There are few markings in the middle of the hike => follow the GPX track carefully.

A superb circular route starting from Castanet-le-Haut: can be done in one day or over two days with a stopover at the bivouac in Caissenols-le-Haut. Ascent to the Plo des Brus plateau via the Razigade ridge, passing through the Col de l'Ourtigas, then descent to the abandoned hamlet of Caissenols-le-Haut. Continue towards the Roquandouire gate, heading towards Saint-Gervais along the ridge, before joining the GRP® de la Mare trail and following it upstream along the river towards Andabre and then Castanet-le-Haut.

This marks the completion of this beautiful hike after several weeks of research to create the route described below. It’s a great achievement that will help people discover and get to know this small mountain range located east of the Caroux and Espinouse ranges. Some sections (fairly short) are a bit tricky to follow, but the Visorando GPX track is very useful.

A very beautiful and varied hike through forest, alpine landscape, ridges and ravines. From La Coix de Marcou, a 360° panorama.

This hike, starting from Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare, has the advantage of taking you to the Portail de Roquandouire via a short out-and-back route, whilst avoiding the climbs up to the Serre de More and the ridge section. It takes you through the hamlets of Compeyre and Cours le Haut, before starting a circular route that offers a glimpse of the ruined castle of Nébuzon and leads to the start of a track. We will briefly leave this track to follow a balcony path on a short round trip to the foot of the Portail de Roquandouire. The return to Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare will be downhill via theGRP®. It is a lovely hike offering beautiful views. The most physically demanding part will be completed in the morning before the lunch break.

A pleasant circular route starting from Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare, passing through the Col de l'Ourtigas, Douch and the Caroux plateau, with its heather stretching as far as the eye can see, offering exceptional panoramic views of the valley and the Pyrenees on a clear day. Gravel paths, the remains of shepherds’ huts, old dwellings and the impressive Roquandouire Gate with its unobstructed view of the Mare Valley. This hike is classified as very difficult due to its length and elevation gain… in reality, the climb is very gradual, in distinct sections and without any sudden changes in gradient. As for the duration, quite frankly, the landscape is so magnificent and varied that with a bit of training, you won’t even notice the time passing…

This route is notable for having two climbs, the second of which comes after more than half the route has already been covered, making it harder to tackle. The paths are often of the ‘Caroux’ type, i.e. very stony, but there are still sections of well-surfaced paths as well as tracks. At the top of the Serre de More, a large section has been ravaged by fire, but this in no way detracts from the landscape and the magnificent 360° view.

This large circular route will first take you to the Croix de Marcou, where you can enjoy a sublime view at an altitude of over 1,000 m. You will then set off again to climb up to the Portail de Roquandouire on the opposite slope. The return via Serre de More will allow you to discover the rugged landscape typical of the Caroux. This hike is reserved for experienced walkers who enjoy climbing.

This hike above Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare will take you up to higher ground in the first half, where you can admire a magnificent panorama. From the Pétète d'en Cabausse, above the Col des Treize Vents, or from the Mouscaillou, you can enjoy a 360° view: the Vissou, the Languedoc plain and the Mediterranean to the south; Serre de More, the Orques cliffs and Marcou to the north. Then it's time to descend through a chestnut grove where, from autumn onwards, the streams that dried up during the summer begin to sing again.

A short circular loop with various viewpoints overlooking both the plain and the mountains. A view of Graissessac. A detour via the ruins of Neyran Castle offers a different perspective on Saint-Gervais. Best avoided in July and August.

South of Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare and on the northern part of Caroux, in the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park, this route follows ancient paths through chestnut groves and coppice woods.

A lovely circular route starting from the Col de l'Ourtigas, with the Plo des Brus viewpoint and belvedere, the descent from the Serre de Majous, the Portail de Roquandouire pass, the return via the Casseloubre valley, the abandoned village of Caïssenols and the climb back up to the Ourtigas via the stream of the same name in the forest.

On the second day, you can return to Colombières sur Orb from the summit of Espinouse via the Héric gorges.