Saint-Jean-de-Fos walks

Starting from the Argileum Museum in Saint-Jean-de-Fos, this walk follows the mountain paths overlooking the Hérault valley. The gradual ascent allows you to discover the typical landscapes of the Mediterranean heath, amongst holm oaks and pines, with unobstructed views of the surrounding hills. The route then reaches the Castellas de Montpeyroux, an ancient hilltop fortified site offering a remarkable panorama of the valley, the vineyards and the foothills of the Larzac. After this stop, the route continues in a circular fashion along other heath trails, passing by thousand-year-old olive trees before descending gently back towards Saint-Jean-de-Fos.

The Infernet cirque in all its splendour, with many viewpoints and many climbs too. Following a fire on 5 April 2023 on the heights of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Saint-Jean-de-Fos, the route remains passable but the Fenestrettes PR® is affected, as is the Arles route (GR®653). Please check with the Saint-Guilhem – Vallée de l'Hérault Tourist Office for information on the passability of the route.

Let's start with a nice climb up to the ridge of the Château du Géant (unfortunately, it is not open to visitors as it is private property). The trail enters the Saint-Guilhem national forest, once developed by monks, and leads to a chapel nestled in the shade. The trail then passes through Cap de Ginestet and Cap de Pousterle before returning to the magnificent village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert.

This short hike will give you a change of scenery in record time. Keep your eyes and ears open, but wear good shoes. On the plateau, you might even be able to see the sea. Following a fire on 5 April 2023 on the heights of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Saint-Jean-de-Fos, the route is still passable, but the PR® des Fenestrettes has been affected, as has the voie d'Arles (GR®653). Please contact the Saint-Guilhem - Vallée de l'Hérault Tourist Office for information on the practicability of the route. This walk may be prohibited depending on the level of fire risk. Please consult the map.

A short walk to do when visiting Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert to get a bird's eye view and discover the medieval village in its entirety.

Le Barry, a small village at the foot of the vineyards and the ruined Château de Castellas, near the village of Montpeyroux, provides access to the trails and a route through ancestral lands, vineyards and the La Font du Griffe sheepfold to join theGR® 74 towards the legendary Mont Saint-Baudille. From this spot, the view stretches across all the surrounding mountains and plains. Descent via Le Pioch Farrio, Le Joncas and La Croix de Fer.

The Cirque de l'Infernet is a gigantic natural wall. Its impressive cliffs enclose the upper part of the Val de Gellone. Between these walls and the Verdus, scree from another time forms impressive slopes. To get to the 'Max Nègre' viewpoint, you'll have to follow a route used by pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela. It passes through a splendid structure called "Les Fenestrelles". Following a fire on 5 April 2023 on the heights of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Saint-Jean-de-Fos, the route is still passable, but the Fenestrettes PR® has been affected, as has the Route d'Arles (GR®653). Please contact the Saint-Guilhem - Vallée de l'Hérault Tourist Office for information on the practicability of the route. This walk may be prohibited depending on the level of fire risk. Please consult

A circular two-day tour starting from Saint Guilhem le Désert. Start at the Verdus Gorges and the Cirque de l'Infernet and climb Mont Ste Baudille. Stop at Les Besses before heading back towards Le Coulet via theGR®74and returning to St Guilhem.

First part of a two-day circular route from Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert to the southern Larzac. Ascent via the Cirque de l'Infernet to reach Mont Saint-Baudille and arrive on the plateau. Following a fire on 5 April 2023 on the heights of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Saint-Jean-de-Fos, the route remains passable but the Fenestrettes PR® is affected, as is the Arles route (GR®653). Please check with the Saint-Guilhem – Vallée de l'Hérault Tourist Office for information on the passability of the route.

Part of the hike is unmarked, following an old railway line and then tracks or paths. The return journey takes you through beautiful wild valleys, along a dry stream. Technically, the hike is not difficult. However, given the multitude of crossroads, a GPS is essential. Not recommended for novice hikers.

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.

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.

This trek works its way up from the Hérault valley to Roc de la Vigne. Leaving the village, off the beaten tracks, you'll explore Forêt Domaniale de Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert on cobblestone roads. Along the way, the remains of old farms, caves, a semi-troglodyte retreat and a breath-taking view from the top of Roc de la Vigne.

Mythical rocks, shaped over centuries by nature. Today, with a little effort of course, we can see these places steeped in history. The inhabitants are no longer here, but let us cherish a personal memory as we pass through the hamlet of L’Estagnol and the Mas d’Agre, whilst soaking up the atmosphere of days gone by; cross the Estagnol de Lacan plain and the Pont d’Agre, go round the Roc de la Jarre and the Mas de l’Arbousier, then head back down via Combe de Légeaux and part of Combe Malafosse.

This hike, which mainly follows shaded paths through the Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert National Forest, will allow you to discover magnificent landscapes over the Hérault Valley on the way there and beautiful panoramas of the Séranne Massif on the way back.

(Warning) Part of the route is closed by municipal order. See comments posted on 15 February and 12 May 2025. From the Montcalmès plateau, near Puéchabon, you can see the exit of the Hérault gorges with a breathtaking view of the legendary village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. This small plateau, once grazed by sheep, is home to some beautiful sheepfolds, some of which have been abandoned. Below, the Saint-Sylvestre-des Brousses chapel is worth a visit, as is the famous Pont du Diable (Devil's Bridge).

This hike is a great way to discover Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert in a different way, arriving via the Cirque de l'Infernet, without long lines of cars or queues at the car park. Following a fire on 5 April 2023 on the heights of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Saint-Jean-de-Fos, the route remains passable but the PR® des Fenestrettes is affected, as is the Arles road (GR®653). Please check with the Saint-Guilhem – Vallée de l'Hérault Tourist Office for information on the passability of the route.

Visiting Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and hiking through the beautiful limestone massif surrounding the village is well worth the effort. This circular route, with its varied landscapes, allows you to see the most picturesque spots in the area without having to rub shoulders with the crowds hiking in the massif.

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.

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.