Land and sea in Bouzigues

This route through the heathland and along the Étang de Thau offers two different landscapes. Along the lake, you can stop for refreshments at a café or taste oysters at one of the many oyster farms, which serve orders at any time of day.

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 14.53 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 30 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 116 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 109 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 67 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 0 m
  • ⚐ Country: France
  • ⚐ City: Bouzigues (34140)
  • ⚑
    Start/End: N 43.454403° / E 3.653297°
  • ❏
    IGN map(s): Ref. 2643ET, 2645ET
  • Hour-by-hour weather

Description of the walk

When you are on the D613, heading towards Mèze, turn right atthe first roundabout onto Chemin de la Clavade. The car park is about 200 metres further on.

(S/E) Start the circuit by going up the track for about 600 m until you reach a fork.

(1) Leave the return path on your left and turn right onto small paths, passing under a power line. After the left-hand bend, turn right at the crossroads and continue until you reach another crossroads.

(2) At the crossroads, turn right onto a slightly sloping path that leads to a quarry.

(3) Go around the quarry on the right and descend to get closer to the departmental road via Chemin du Clap.

(4) Keep right without crossing to reach the underpass beneath the D613.

(5) Go through it and continue on Chemin des Aiguilles until you reach the intersection before a tunnel.

(6) Turn left for about 100 m to join the cycle path (former railway line).

(7) Take the cycle path to the next fork.

(8) Turn right to follow the Étang de Thau. After a wild stretch, pass the port and the seafront with its restaurants along Avenue Tudesq. Reach the crossroads near the small beach of Trémie.

(9) Continue along Avenue Tudesq, leaving the seafront, and walk on the pavement until you reach the junction before the D613 roundabout.

(10) Turn left onto the road (Chemin de la Catonnière). After about 150 m, turn left then right to follow the oyster farm (see Practical Information). Continue along the road then turn right towards the road to pass under the motorway and reach the roundabout.

(11) Ignore the D158 towards Loupian, cross and stay on the left-hand side of the road. Leave the Loupian area on your right and walk through the grass until you reach a white path.

(12) Follow this white path to the left for about 200 m to start climbing towards a wooded area. Turn right at a 90° angle and continue for several hundred metres to reach a fork.

(13) Turn left onto the track and join a road.

(14) Turn left for 100 m and take the path on the right. Continue straight ahead until you reach a track, turn right and you will come to a road. Turn right and follow the road until you reach a 90° right-hand bend.

(15) Turn left onto a small path that crosses a wooded area. At the fork, keep left. After about 500 m, the path joins the main track you took on the way there.

(1) Turn right and follow it straight ahead to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 35 m - Chemin de la Clavade
  2. 1 : km 0.73 - alt. 60 m - Crossroads on the way there and back
  3. 2 : km 2.02 - alt. 64 m - Crossroads
  4. 3 : km 3.01 - alt. 54 m - The quarry
  5. 4 : km 4.15 - alt. 34 m - There is a fork in the road near the D613
  6. 5 : km 4.34 - alt. 17 m - Underground passage
  7. 6 : km 4.76 - alt. 8 m - Fork in the road
  8. 7 : km 4.91 - alt. 15 m - Cycle path
  9. 8 : km 5.77 - alt. 5 m - Fork in the road. Near the confluence of the - Vène (rivière)
  10. 9 : km 8.17 - alt. 1 m - Sidewalk on Avenue Louis Tudesq
  11. 10 : km 8.69 - alt. 10 m - Fork in the road before the roundabout
  12. 11 : km 10.46 - alt. 16 m - Roundabout
  13. 12 : km 10.7 - alt. 21 m - Chemin Blanc
  14. 13 : km 11.48 - alt. 49 m - Fork in the road
  15. 14 : km 12.12 - alt. 35 m - Road junction
  16. 15 : km 12.95 - alt. 39 m - Fork in the road on a small path
  17. S/E : km 14.53 - alt. 35 m - Chemin de la Clavade

Notes

(8) Picnic tables.
There are toilets near the harbour master's office.

After the (10), along the Étang de Thau, you can buy oysters and enjoy them on the pontoons, or have lunch at one of the various producers.

Alternative
Tried and tested option: leave at 10 a.m., do the circuit in reverse and arrive around 11.30 a.m. near the oyster producers. Order and sit down for an appetiser of oysters with a small glass of white wine (e.g. O' Claires) then continue the hike towards Bouzigues where there are several places to picnic. In this direction, at the beginning of the beach, there are four benches, and further on towards the harbour master's office.

Worth a visit

Viewpoints at the following locations (3).

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 42 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.3 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
deforge
deforge

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 30, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

We only did the first part of the route; at point 5 we turned back to the start. It was a very windy day, but we were sheltered on these little paths.
Very pleasant

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François57
François57

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 04, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk. The weather in April is perfect. Enjoy some delicious oysters and seafood along the way.

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caroline34830
caroline34830

Dangerous spot, such as crossing a road.

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User 16780418

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 07, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Very nice route, magnificent views of the sea and the Thau lagoon. Point 11 is very dangerous, reported several times. Avoid with children. Needs to be changed quickly.

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LAVALLÉ
LAVALLÉ

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 12, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike between the sea and the scrubland, with stunning landscapes and no difficulty.

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Michel josquin
Michel josquin

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Too many disappointing sections compared to the pretty and interesting ones... we were also bothered by the motorbike enthusiasts who were doing a "rally" near the quarry... ouch, our ears!

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Fernandez Benjamin
Fernandez Benjamin

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Some very beautiful sections. But sometimes the route can be dangerous if you're not careful with dogs or children.
This is the second time we've done it as a group. Next time, I'll change the route. See if it's possible to avoid the section that runs alongside the 613. On the heath section, avoid hunting days. Thank you for the suggestion.

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M.SANCHE
M.SANCHE

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful route with a lovely view of the lake.

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Fernandez Benjamin
Fernandez Benjamin

Overall rating : 3.5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Some very beautiful sections. But sometimes the route can be dangerous if you're not careful with dogs or children.
This is the second time we've done it as a group. Next time, I'll change the route. See if it's possible to avoid the section that runs alongside the 613. On the heath section, avoid hunting days. Thank you for the suggestion.

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meringue34
meringue34

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 13, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : Not used / Not applicable
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike with beautiful views of the Thau lagoon. A must-do!
A GPS is essential in the heath.
We didn't use the map or the description.
Thank you for this route.

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PIERRE MONNIER
PIERRE MONNIER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike that begins with stunning views of the Thau lagoon, Sète, etc., and continues through Bouzigues and along the edge of the lagoon. There are numerous restaurants and bars where you can sample oysters.
There is a bit of tarmac, but what else can you do? A very pleasant walk that is a must if you are in the area.
PP and MM

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gpsb
gpsb

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : May 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike completed on 01/05/2025 in beautiful weather.
A beautiful and varied hike through heathland, very pleasant by the sea, returning via a magnificent little lake that you don't expect to find.
The panoramic views are beautiful. This route is typical of this area between heathland and ponds.
The small tasting/eating areas run by local producers are authentic.
On the downside, the route between the start and the entrance to Bouzigues is completely unmarked, so a GPS is essential to avoid getting lost on the small paths.
The GPS track is excellent, but perhaps a waypoint or two could be added to this route.
I don't regret this trip! Thank you for suggesting it.

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lesvegas
lesvegas

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike starting at the edge of the lake in Bouzigues.
No difficulty, but a GPS is essential.
And it's an opportunity to follow up with some oyster tasting.
thank you

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berbag
berbag

Overall rating : 4.5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : Not used / Not applicable
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Route tracked on my phone's GPS, didn't look for the description. Easy to follow thanks to the GPS, but I don't know about the description. Nice route.

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7oise
7oise

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 24, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

please note that this is private property, so unauthorised access is prohibited. Hunters have right of way, so there is a potential danger during hunting season
very beautiful view and the walk along the pond was very relaxing, especially in sunny weather.
the turquoise blue lake was magnificent.
the route description could have been more precise, especially between points 2 and 3, forcing us to use GPS to find our bearings and locate cairns at certain intersections.
at point 11, given the speed of the vehicles, it is safer to walk on the Loupian car park, then carefully cross the slip road off the main road and climb the small hill along the slip road to avoid walking on the dangerous, non-existent hard shoulder.

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