The Colombières Gorges

An exceptional circular walk above the torrent of Arles where you can discover a cave dwelling and a superb Cervennes collection in the hamlet of Fage.

Technical sheet

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 10.34 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 55 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Return to departure point: Yes
  • ↗
    Vertical gain: + 674 m
  • ↘
    Vertical drop: - 680 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 850 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 205 m

Photos

Description of the walk

From the car park at Colombières school (S), go down the road and take the gorge trail on the right (sign and waymarking PR Yellow).

Climb rapidly up the thirty steps or so which lead to a rather steep stony path. This particularly well-maintained path winds through the woods (chestnuts, boxwoods and Holm oaks).
About an hour after leaving, you will reach the Arles Fountain which is just a little bit before the cave dwellings (1).
After visiting the dwellings, continue along the side before discovering the large bassins of the Arles stream and, specifically, all of Fage (2).

Go past these houses until you reach the completely restored windmill just before a bridge with 2 arches.
Go over the bridge. You will reach the place called the 'Croix de Douch'. Take the second track on the right (GR7 and PR) for about 300 m. Leave the GR7 on the left and stay on the PR (3).
Ignore the signs for the climbing spots in order to reach the high point on the edge of the Brétouyre (4) and Tabarié climbing spots.

Then start to descend down the large zigzags. This is an old Roman way which joins up with the chemin des Fleisses (5).
Once down the zigzags, there is a big crossing which leads you to the hamlet of Seilhols (6).

Next, take the steps, then a steep descent back down into the village of Colombières.
Cross the bridge over the stream and you are back at the car park.

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 230 m - School car park
  2. 1 : km 2.25 - alt. 635 m - Troglodyte houses
  3. 2 : km 3.6 - alt. 759 m - La Fage
  4. 3 : km 4.42 - alt. 809 m - Crossroads GR7 - PR
  5. 4 : km 6.54 - alt. 811 m - Brétouyre climbing site
  6. 5 : km 8.57 - alt. 481 m - Chemin des Fleisses
  7. 6 : km 9.97 - alt. 312 m - Les Seilhols
  8. S/E : km 10.34 - alt. 224 m - School car park

Practical information

Two water points on this circular walk: the Arles Fountain and also the spring along the edge of the path before the Brétouyre climbing spot.

In the nearby area

Colombières-sur-Orb and the nearby villages.
On the plateau Douch and Rosis, the hilltop villages of the Caroux.

 Always stay careful and alert while following a route. Visorando and the author of this walk cannot be held responsible in the event of an accident during this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

Reviews and comments

4.8 / 5
Based on 163 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.7 / 5
Clarity of route map
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Peter Beerens
Peter Beerens

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A magnificent walk, especially when the weather is nice, with beautiful views and lots of pools for swimming. According to my GPS (Garmin Montana 750i), it was 13 km long with an elevation gain of +/- 750 m. We found it moderately difficult, but many hikers would consider it quite difficult because there are a lot of rocks on the trails.

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Didge
Didge

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 29, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A lovely hike that totals 12 km rather than 10 and a half. 7 km of sometimes very steep ascent and the rest of a descent that will seem interminable over the remains of a Roman road that is very painful for the feet and knees (poles recommended).
It's a difficult hike, not an "average" one, but one that will leave you with a lasting impression, such is the beauty of the site.
For hikers with a good level of fitness.

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randocantalalpes
randocantalalpes

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 22, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

lots of rhododendrons and lavender.tres belle rando merci a vous tous votre travail est formidable.

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MontagneXplorer
MontagneXplorer
• Last modified:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 02, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

incredible site, magnificent scenery and exeptional panorama! quite a challenging climb but it's an incredible spot.

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JYRT
JYRT

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of walk : Sep 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

13 real kilometres as shown on the signs, whereas you mention 10 km, otherwise it's a nice, fairly tough walk at the start.

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ed102
ed102

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jul 25, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

One of the most beautiful hikes in the Hérault, with lovely views and waterfalls for swimming.

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saint victor
saint victor

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Magnificent hike, even if it's only up to the hamlet of La Fage. Thank you for this beautiful route

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Palavas34
Palavas34

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A steady, slightly steep climb at the start. Climb through undergrowth. Not very popular (mid-May mid-week). Beautiful scenery. Worth doing provided you are a bit fit. No snacks at the gîte de la Fage at this time of year.

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rand
rand

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : Jun 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

Hello, at the start of the hike, a sign indicates 13 kilometres whereas you mention 10 km, concerning a water point at the gite de la Fage, it no longer exists so bring water, it would be wise to mention the water points on the map, hike to be avoided in wet weather because some tricky passages on the wet, source of fresh water on the descent what a pleasure. A very good hike, a must.

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Charli31
Charli31

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of walk : May 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Busy trail : Yes

Very nice steep climb.
Cooler descent on the last long steps.
water point of view on the south-east part

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GSSR
GSSR

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : May 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

We chose to do the route in the opposite direction to the guidebook because of the large number of people on the day (especially very large groups who were talking, or even shouting ;-) very loudly). It was the right choice... A quiet ascent without many people for a tour in glorious sunshine.
I already know this route well and it's always a pleasure to do it again at different times.

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Brett
Brett

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Apr 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

The Colombieres gorges on a fine spring day (12 km - 600 m ascent in 6 hours, including plenty of photo opportunities and a long, bucolic rest stop).

It's a tough start as you leave the car park on a series of steep steps that give way to a stony path lined with low walls built by our ancestors. The path continues to climb through lush vegetation of chestnut and oak trees that are beginning to take on their summer green. The atmosphere is enchanting, lulled by the lapping of the Alres torrent below and the uninterrupted song of birds that seem to herald our incursion into their domain. The climb is steady and smooth and requires a minimum of physical fitness.
On the other side, the landscape reveals the tormented rocks of the gorges, silhouetted against a brilliant azure blue. A few overhangs allow us to dominate this small torrent, revealing a few waterfalls that sparkle in the generous sunshine.
Shortly before the summit, the path flirts with a succession of waterfalls and pools that would be ideal for a swim if the weather were fine. There's a timeless charm about the place that makes us want to linger a while over lunch, bathed in the melodious sounds of the many waterfalls around us...
We continue on to the gîte de la Fage, where we can enjoy a simple, frugal snack.
The return journey on the other side takes us through a rugged landscape along a stony path that puts our thighs and knees to the test. An old, well-maintained Roman road offers a fairly steep, winding descent back to the village of Colombieres.

A must for wilderness lovers.

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jean-claude septier
jean-claude septier

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Mar 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : Yes

A very nice walk, but not recommended for beginners as it climbs and climbs. There is a lot of rocky terrain, so dry weather is preferable.
The views and panoramas are magnificent, and there's a great reward at the top.

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La Godasse Folle
La Godasse Folle

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 21, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A walk in cool weather. I regretted not wearing gloves. Magnificent hike, breathtaking scenery. We saw an ibex on the opposite slope. The return after the hamlet of Lafage is different, with woods and fewer rocks. Mostly downhill after a while, which is fatal for weak knees! Quite a physical hike, so novice hikers should practise a little beforehand! Definitely worth doing again. Good shade on the way back.

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oherv
oherv

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of walk : Feb 08, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Clarity of route map : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Busy trail : No

A very nice hike, but it's actually 12.5 km long, as indicated on the signpost at the start. The climb is a bit strenuous, with 2 sections on rock that's upside down, but secured by a rope.
We did it in 5.5 hours with a small picnic and in a light drizzle, it wasn't really slippery.
The descent was different, as it was a little further from the gorges, but the scenery was still very beautiful.

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