Are you passing through the Hérault and want to discover the department in all simplicity? Here are the best walks around Montpellier.
Montpellier is a young, dynamic city just a stone’s throw from the Mediterranean Sea. Today, we suggest you skip Saint Peter’s Cathedral and the Antigone district, avoid the pretty Place Royale du Peyrou or forget the year-round festivals…
Instead, take a hike in the Hérault hinterland! Generation Voyage has compiled a list of the best hikes in the Montpellier area to help you stretch your legs. Wild garrigue, shimmering coastline and glorious sunshine await you. We’re already there!
1. The Infernet circus
- Duration: approx. 2h30
- Distance: 9.2 km
- Height difference: 572 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
This hike around Montpellier is rather sporty. It starts in the village of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert. You’ll start by walking along the Verdus stream on a yellow-marked path. This is the historic route to the Larzac plateau, used by pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela.
You won’t get that far, but the route offers spectacular views of the Cirque de l’Infernet, an impressive cliff face. Other points of interest include the Max Nègre lookout and Fenestrelles, a medieval structure.
On a clear day, the Mediterranean and the Hérault valley unfold on the horizon… Sublime!
2. Cirque de Mourèze
- Duration: approx. 2 hours
- Distance: 7.1 km
- Height difference: 360 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
The aim of this itinerary is to take you to the dolomitic cirque of Mourèze, shaped entirely by erosion. This hike around Montpellier starts at the Mourèze tourist information point parking lot (fee: €3).
Follow the yellow markers: this path climbs steeply through the undergrowth(good shoes recommended) to a ridgeline. This is the highlight of the walk right through the heart of the dolomitic limestone.
Lac du Salagou is on your right, and the Mediterranean Sea on your left. The summit of Mont Liausson is close by. On a clear day, you can see the Pyrenees rising into the sky! Choose sunshine over rain for this exceptional route.
3. The hermitage of Notre-Dame De Belle Grâce
- Duration: approx. 4 hours
- Distance: 14 km
- Difference in altitude: 589 m
- Difficulty: Difficult
- See the route
This hike around Montpellier starts in Saint-Guihem. It is perfectly signposted and accessible to all: families with children are welcome here.
After climbing the Château du Géant ridge, you’ll reach the village’s state forest. The hermitage of Notre-Dame de Belle Grâce is not far away. There’s a mineral water spring just behind the hermitage: fill your water bottles for good luck!
You’ll reach Cap du Ginestet and enjoy a splendid view over the valley. The return journey is a leisurely one through the forest.
4. The Navacelles cirque
- Duration: approx. 2h30
- Distance: 10 km
- Height difference: 286 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
The cirque de Navacelles is a listed site of impressive gorges and unique flora and fauna. On this incredible hike around Montpellier, you’ll discover the Vis (the local river) and have the chance to swim in it.
Once you’ve parked in the parking lot on the D130, just before the belvedere, head for it. You’ll be treated to a panoramic view of the site: what a sight!
Then head upstream along the Vis, following the red and yellow markers: some areas are ideal for swimming. Continue on to the ruins of the Moulins de la Foux, the highlight of your tour. Caution: sun cream is mandatory in summer…
5. Saint-Félix de Monceau abbey
- Duration: about 3 hours
- Distance: 11.3 km
- Difference in altitude: 303 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
Near Gigean, this trail takes in the vegetation of the Gardiole massif, Mont Saint-Clair and the local lakes. The Thau lagoon is particularly noteworthy, a mecca for French oyster farming!
It all starts at the parking lot of the Saint-Félix de Monceau abbey in Gigean. You can visit it for an invigorating and cultural outing. Your loop will take you along forest paths in the midst of luxuriant nature, especially in spring. You may even come across some wild asparagus…
6. Les Aresquiers wood
- Duration: 2 hours
- Distance: 9 km
- Height difference: 43 m
- Difficulty: Easy
- See the route
The Bois des Aresquiers trail begins in Vic-la-Gardiole. In spring, the flowers make this itinerary even more pleasant, enhancing the panorama.
Rather rocky, the trail allows you to see swans and flamingos floating on the ponds. Footbridges are built over the marshes.
The route continues along the lake, skirting canals, salt marshes and pine forests. Children will love the « Indiana Jones » style of this attractive, easy hike around Montpellier.
7. The Salagou lake tour
- Duration: approx. 6 hours
- Distance: 22 km
- Difference in altitude: 415 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
Welcome to Clermont-l’Hérault: your starting point is the Lac du Salagou leisure center. Follow the yellow-marked hiking trail. You can admire the mountains overlooking the lake, including Mont Mars, Grande Montagne and Mont de Liausson.
Further on, the water trickles into the Lac du Salagou: this is normal, and in winter it’s sometimes impossible to access the paths because of the high flow. You’ll reach the abandoned hamlet of Celles, then gaze at the impressive Salagou dam from a lookout point.
Note that shady spots are scarce, and it’s a good idea to pack a hat and a good supply of water in summer!
8. Château de Vivioures and the Hortus cave
- Duration: 1 hour
- Distance: 3.9 km
- Height difference: 288 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
Near Valflaunès, this hike around Montpellier offers panoramic views from the Cévennes to the sea. Park near the junction of the D122 and D17E6.
A stony path leads up to an impressive cliff, which you have to walk along until you reach the grotto and the summit of the Hortus mountain. It rises to 512 meters, facing the Pic Saint-Loup.
La Séranne, l’Aigoual and Mont Lozère break the horizon on a clear day. A rocky (and sometimes vertiginous: beware if you’re afraid of heights) descent takes you to the ruins of Château de Viviourès. A word of warning about the grotte de l’Hortus: it has been sealed off to protect the bats that call it home.
9. The Max Nègre lookout loop
- Duration: approx. 2h30
- Distance: 9.8 km
- Height difference: 511 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert is a medieval village ranked among the most beautiful in France. The Max Nègre peak overlooks the commune and is relatively easy to access.
This hike around Montpellier takes in the Mont Saint-Baudille massif, the Cévennes Piedmont and the Hérault plain. The return route takes in the Pont du Diable and the magnificent Hérault gorges.
Swimming is possible and highly recommended in summer. Splash!
10. Le Pic Saint-Loup
- Duration: 1h30
- Distance: 5.5 km
- Difference in altitude: 333 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
From your starting point in Cazevieille, follow the red-and-white signposted path. It climbs through the shrubbery typical of the dense garrigue of the Hérault region to a chapel.
The ridgeline to the summit offers a splendid but dizzying view of the Hortus mountain. Birds of prey fly over the hikers along the way.
On a clear day, you can admire the Gulf of Lion and even Mont Ventoux. But don’t look down, and don’t forget to wear good boots for the rocks!
11. Château D’Aumelas
- Duration: less than 1 hour
- Distance: 3.7 km
- Height difference: 59 m
- Difficulty: Easy
- See the route
This hike around Montpellier takes you to Aumelas. The château is a feudal fortress built between the 11th and 14th centuries. Its ruins are listed as a historic monument.
To reach them, follow an old botanical path. A sumptuous panorama gradually opens up over the valley: superb in spring, breathtaking in autumn.
The Cévennes mountains complete this typically Mediterranean landscape. The ruins are open to the public and offer a wealth of information on the history of the area. Great for the whole family!
12. Le ravin des Arcs
- Duration: approx.
- Distance: 3.9 km
- Height difference: 195 m
- Difficulty: Medium
- See the route
Saint-Martin-de-Londres is not in the UK, but close to the Lamalou gorges. This hike around Montpellier starts at the parking lot on the D986 road serving the commune.
Follow the GR60 to a steep descent into the ravine to the Arc. A canyon-like mineral setting awaits hikers, who will enjoy beautiful panoramic views of the Pic Saint-Loup. Splen-dide!