Herault; Walks around St Guilhem –le-DesertRef; 20 Randonnees choisis dans les monts de St Guilhem–le-Desert
Introduction; First time I came here was about 20 yrs ago and fell straight away in love with it. Been back many times now, but it has become now very touristy. Still it.s a marvellous place to be as there are so many things to see and do.
But let's start with the walks
Walk 1; Le Chateau du Verdus 1 hour
Very short walk from the village, follow directions Ermitage de Notre Dame de lieu Plaisant (gr74 north). Once you are on the ridge of the first hill you are half way.
There you turn right, instead of left. There is a sign that wishes you not to continue to the chateau du Verdus. It’s up to you now.
The path is not easy and the last 20 meters you have to find your way.
Make sure you enter from the north side!!! Warn people to be careful as there are very steep drops on the other side and it is a ruin!!
But it is a marvellous spot.
Once I met a group of young lads who got there the evening before with candlelight (Mad Englishman!!) You can look down into the village and the other way (north) you can see the flat plateaus of the “causses”
Photo 1) Chateau de VerdusPhoto 2) Chateau de Vedus from Monastry St Guilhem-le-Desert
Walk 2; La source du Bout du Monde. 1 hour
Very easy walk (level!!!) for all ages.
The first time I came here there were only a few terasses of olivegroves, but now they have restored many groves.
Just follow the stream until the end. Half way on the left, easy to miss, there is a little pond ideal for cooling down.
When you are near the end you can see in front of you very high up arches.They are called the Fenestrelles, which is actually a construction for a footpath (see walk 11)
Walk 3; L’Ermitage de Notre Dame de Lieu Plaisant (gr74 north) 2 1/2 hrs
Another very nice walk. Once you are on the ridge of the first hill, it is a more or less level walk all the way through the “Garrigues” There is a source of water at the Ermitage.
For the next three walks you have to take the "crashroad"(D122),which you can reach via Arboras or via Causse de la Selle; This is a lovely road,tarmacced but very long and bendy!
Walk 8a Ravin du Joncas.
This little excursion I did with some young lads ages ago, so I cant remember much. Path was badly marked, but once down you follow the river bed north and you will find dozens of rusty cars. One way to get rid of cars I suppose!
Walk 8b and c; Grotte et Menhir de la Boume Mouton.
Couldn’t find them!
Walk 9a and b; Dolmen de la Rigoule and De Roquebrune
Walk 11 Point de vue Max Negre; 3.30 hr total, but it is worth, for example with young children, to do part of it!!!)
Best walk there is!!!! Follow gr74 south. Once you are underneath and near the high rock (roc de la Bisonne) you have to decide which way you want to go.
Generaly with a group I go left,(as I know an easier route to get to Max Negre) and walk along the valley.
It is a very level walk up to les Fenestrelles, there it goes up and then you turn around the corner.
The next bit was such a long time ago that I can’t remember.
The last years I approached Max Negre from the other side via a forest road from St Jean de Fos all the way up to Maison Forestiere. From there it is an hour walk and very level! Fantastic views.
Other things to see and do;
River Herault; Fantastic for canoeing and swimming. Water is warm!!!! Lets say it different; it is not cold!
Pont du Diable and lake;Ideal for children
Cave Clamouse;fantastic.
Vallee du Bueges(along the D122).
