On the Grand Devès path from Guzargues

A visit to the Grand Devès site from Guzargues. This hike will take you around Serre Rond, a hill combining heath and history, which was home to a German observation post from 1942 to 1944, the remains of which can still be seen today. Along the way, you will find the grave of the tracking dog Youki. You will then continue on your way towards Montaud and the source of the Cadoule before returning to your starting point.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.22 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 172 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 173 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 211 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 79 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ District: Guzargues (34820)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.723126° / E 3.925472°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2742ET, 2843OT
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park on the left just after Guzargues Town Hall, on Rue des Mazes.

(S/E) Start the walk by going down Rue des Mazes, then take the first left onto Chemin des Brebières.

(1) Turn right onto Chemin des Jardins Communaux.

(2) Take Chemin de Castries.

(3) Turn right onto the small path. The path on the left leads to a dead end (barbed wire and hunting area).

(4) Take the Castries road and follow it for about 1 km. Be careful!

(5) Now it gets serious! Find the path on the left and cross the Cadoule. From here, the terrain becomes very steep. This is the price you pay for the panoramic view from the summit of Grand Devès.

(6) Take the path on the left and walk along the quarry. The climb to the summit continues. Enjoy the view with Pic Saint Loup and Hortus on your left. Join the track and continue climbing on the left.

(8) Take the path on the left and reach the summit of Grand Devès (212 metres above sea level)

(9) On the right is the old German barracks and the grave of Youki, a tracking dog! An orientation table helps you find your bearings. Go down the steps and join the track.

(10) You have reached the end of your journey. From here, the descent begins (panoramic view).

(11) Take the tarmac road on the left. Turn left at Mas de Roux and follow the small road.

(12) Upstream from this ford is the source of Font Counillière, the source of the Cadoule, a small river that is often underground and flows into the Or pond in Mauguio.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 131 m - Car park located just after Guzargues Town Hall
  2. 1 : km 0.26 - alt. 120 m - Intersection with the communal gardens path
  3. 2 : km 0.66 - alt. 109 m - Castries Path
  4. 3 : km 1.07 - alt. 96 m - Water retention basins
  5. 4 : km 1.59 - alt. 100 m - Castries Road
  6. 5 : km 2.69 - alt. 83 m - Starting point of the trail to Grand Devès
  7. 6 : km 3.07 - alt. 101 m - Path along the quarry
  8. 7 : km 4.95 - alt. 171 m - Track
  9. 8 : km 5.55 - alt. 191 m - Path on the left
  10. 9 : km 5.91 - alt. 209 m - Former German barracks (WW2)
  11. 10 : km 7.57 - alt. 198 m - Start of the descent
  12. 11 : km 8.05 - alt. 164 m - Continue left on the tarmac road
  13. 12 : km 9.45 - alt. 130 m - Source de la Cadoule - Cadoule (river) - Tributary of the Bas-Rhône canal Languedoc
  14. S/E : km 12.22 - alt. 131 m - Town hall car park

Notes

Wear hiking boots and bring water and sunscreen during the hot season.

Please note that there is very little shade and some sections are very steep (hence the difficult level crossing).

Stick closely to the route and do not cross the vineyards. The route has been modified to bypass private estates. As a result, it follows the D26 road for about 1 km. The road is not very busy, but cars can drive fast. Be careful and walk on the left-hand side of the road.

Worth a visit

(5) Summit of the Grand Devès: remains of a German barracks dating from the Second World War. The tracking dog Youki lodges nearby. Enjoy the view and the orientation table here.

Reviews and comments

4.2 / 5
Based on 29 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.2 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4 / 5
gsigsi
gsigsi

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 18, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

beautiful views along the route, no particular difficulties. Too much tarmac.

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Leosol
Leosol

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A beautiful walk with superb 360° views stretching to the horizon along the ridge path between Guzargues and Montaud.
The Cadoule passage is superb, with the start of the Castries aqueduct network.
The entire route follows DFCI paths and tarmac tracks, with no single tracks and no technical difficulties.
Best to do this walk in the cooler months to enjoy the sunshine.

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JB26
JB26

not borrowed to date

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User 25124672

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb

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JO NAPOLI
JO NAPOLI
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 26, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The circuit was completed on 26 February in beautiful sunshine. The day was punctuated by lovely panoramic views of Pic Saint Loup and the sea. Trails included paths, single tracks and a little tarmac. The only minor problem encountered was the strong north wind blowing on the heights. An easy hike with no great difficulty, suitable for all walkers

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Maudvnlt
Maudvnlt

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Created for Christmas 2024, perfect for winter under beautiful sunshine as there is very little shade in summer.
Stunning scenery and magnificent views of the Hortus and Pic Saint Loup throughout the hike, with a superb panorama at the summit of the Grand Dévès.
No major difficulties, it climbs gently, and the trail is not very busy in winter, so you can enjoy the peace, quiet and wide open spaces.
It's a shame you have to take the main road when leaving the town of Guzargues. There were no cars that day (public holiday) but normally it can't be very pleasant. Fortunately, there is a small dirt/grass verge so you don't have to walk too much on the road. Apart from this detail, the route is really nice and intuitive, with no need to check every 10 minutes to see if you're on the right track.

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Marcheur83
Marcheur83

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 05, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello walkers, getting back into walking requires a gradual build-up, so here is a good route that allows you to visit the rural area near Montpellier/Nîmes with its beautiful 360° views, wildlife, flora and historical sites, while also getting your legs in shape without too much difficulty, but still... don't forget your sturdy shoes!
A few regrets: too much tarmac and fences everywhere!!!
Avoid the heath in strong winds and bright sunshine. Enjoy your walks, fellow hikers.

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Mehdy Donc
Mehdy Donc

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Bear park not marked, so GPS (telephone) essential.
Very little shade on the route and no water points. Best done when it's not too hot.
Nice, 1000 m elevation gain, parish specific to Brittany.
Mostly trails.
Some sections on open roads, which are less enjoyable.

Interesting for those who want to take a walk in nature, but not exceptional.

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Anassou
Anassou

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Hello, Pleasant walk with lots of flowers after the rain.

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M. B
M. B

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very pleasant hike, not recommended in summer as there is little shade. Not signposted, so a GPS is necessary. Magnificent views of Pic Saint Loup and Hortus. A pleasant water source when crossing La Cadoule, the starting point of the Castries Aqueduct (Fontgrand spring).
A bench awaits you at the top of Grand Deves, offering remarkable panoramic views stretching all the way to the sea. No steep inclines. A beautiful walk with a parade of peacocks on the home stretch before the finish!

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25MENAI
25MENAI

Overall rating : 1.5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 19, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★☆☆☆☆ Very disappointing
Ease of following the route : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Route interest : Not used / Not applicable
Very busy route : No

Since May 2021, I had been looking forward to this hike. I was very disappointed.

- Between points 1 and 2, there is an important detail missing: DO NOT TAKE THE CASTRIES ROAD (D26), which I did, adding about 1 km of tarmac that I could have avoided if the description had included this information. I did not see any sign for "Chemin de Castries" on the ground

- Point 5 is missing what I consider to be an essential piece of information: mention of the Fontgrand spring, which is a good landmark on the route.

- Point 6: there are no landmarks on the ground to identify this fork in the road. Unfortunately, I found myself at the entrance to the quarry on the D 21.

At that point, I turned back. It's a shame, especially as the weather was very nice and not too hot, and it could have been a pleasant outing.

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Pat34
Pat34

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with superb views all along the climb to the old German observation post. The view from there is magnificent! Like Bermary, I also agree about the section of road you have to take, which is about a kilometre long. With a group or other people, it's not very safe or pleasant. But that's the only negative point about this trip!
Thank you for this beautiful hike!

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Chulupiba
Chulupiba

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed in December 2023
Pleasant and without major difficulties
We really enjoyed the beautiful view of the Mauguio lake, Pic Saint Loup and Hortus
All this was complemented by a little history of the dark days of the German occupation

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Bermary
Bermary

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent view upon arrival at Grand Devès. On the way back, we pass by flower-covered farmhouses that exude authenticity.
I found that this route took us along too many roads, although we were not bothered by traffic.
My point of view is, of course, that of a group leader, concerned with safety and comfort while walking.

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Boya
Boya

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 18, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Pleasant walk with beautiful views if the sky is clear; mostly tarmac and some road sections with light traffic.

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