On the south-eastern flank of the Gardiole

Park in the La Cible car park.

(S/E) Head north-east towards the vineyard plot, and take the track on the left at the La Cible signpost towards the Circuit des balcons de Thau (this route is shorter than the one suggested here; it is marked in yellow). Begin a steep climb on a stony path.

(1) Pass the Pioch Farrié signpost on your right and continue climbing. Further on, ignore a path on the right and keep climbing.

(2) Take a path climbing to the left and arrive at a viewpoint over the Étang de Thau, marked by the Montjas signpost. Go to the orientation table then continue along the path to the right. At the crossroads, turn left, then straight on at the next junction shortly after. The path skirts around the Devèse.

(3) Turn left onto the path, which then begins to skirt around La Mathe. At the La Mathe marker, ignore a path on the left. Further on, you’ll reach a fork in the path with a cistern.

(4) Turn left, leaving the Route des balcons de Thau. Further on, ignore a path on the left.

(5) Ignore a path on the left at an information board about reforestation following the 1998 fire. You will reach a multi-way junction at a water tank and the Moulière signpost.

(6) Before the cistern, follow a small path to the right, marked in yellow. This is a very pleasant off-trail section. Further on, you’ll reach an area affected by the 2025 fires. (Restoration work appears to be already underway in April 2026.) Ignore a path leading uphill to the left, then keep right at a fork in the paths, and ignore another path to the left. You will arrive at the Col de Gigean, with its eponymous marker and a cross.

(7) Follow the track to the right, ignoring a path on the right. You’ll reach a junction with a path and a trail on the right.

(8) Follow the path to the left, marked in yellow. At the four-way junction shortly afterwards, go straight on. At the junction with a water tank, continue straight on again. You will go round the Pioch de la Barre and reach the signpost of the same name.

(9) Take the second track on the left. At the fork in the tracks, keep left. About 100 m further on, take care.

(10) Leave the track and take a path on the left (yellow markings). Further on, forestry work has created a track: the marked path is to its right. Further down, you will reach the junction of the circular path at the Pioch Farrié marker.

(1) Retrace your steps along the route you took on the way out to return to the car park (S/E).

A hike of moderate difficulty, but fairly easy as it is quite short, despite the steep climb at the start. Standard hiking gear.

Choose a weekday outside school holidays to avoid being disturbed by the motocross route near the car park.

Avoid very hot periods, as the route is almost entirely exposed.

Access to the Gardiole Massif may be restricted in the event of a fire risk.

Photo album here

Discover more hikes in this area, with descriptions or via the Visorando app here

Viewpoints all around, typical garrigue flora.