Upper Languedoc: 6 days at your own pace with a road book
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationLamalou-les-Bains / Caroux
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions75.22 kg CO2
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Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
This stay between the mountains and lakes of the Haut-Languedoc is a multi-day hike of approximately 130 kilometers without transfers, which takes you through the landscapes of the high plateaus of the Espinouse du Somail, the lakes of the Raviège, the Laouzas without forgetting to pass by the Vezoles waterfall and the Bourdils refuge for an exceptional night.
The route usually starts in La Salvetat-sur-Agout, a charming little town nestled in the heart of the mountains. From there, you'll be immediately immersed in stunning landscapes for a week of hiking that will end in Lamalou-les-Bains.
The stages are a little challenging (24 to 26 km per day with 700m of elevation gain) and allow you to fully immerse yourself in the area, encountering the local flora and fauna with our detailed guidebook. You will hike independently (without a guide), and we will arrange the transfer of your luggage between stages.
For this stay, you will have the chance to sleep at the Bourdils refuge and reconnect with nature for a night.
The highlights
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A major crossing of the mountain range
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Hikes of approximately 22 km
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Rural inns and a night in a mountain refuge
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 6h
- Average distance/day: 22 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 624 m
- Average daily descent: 724 m
Management
Program
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La Salvetat sur Agoût
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Check-in is from 6 PM at your accommodation. We recommend arriving by train at Béziers station and then taking the bus to La Salvetat-sur-Agoût. (Please note, there are no buses on Sundays). Check-in and overnight stay at the hostel.
Day 1 -
From La Salvetat sur Agoût to Fraïsse sur Agoût.
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 25 km
- Positive elevation gain 580 m
- Negative elevation 500 m
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
A beautiful hike to Le Somail to join the GR7 at Saut de Vezoles, a natural viewpoint overlooking the Jaur valley and the Mediterranean plain. Descend towards Fraïsse-sur-Agoût via the farms of the plateau. This 25-kilometer stage has an elevation gain of 580 meters and an elevation loss of 500 meters.
Day 2 -
From Fraïsse-sur-Agoût to Murat-sur-Vèbre
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 20 km
- Positive elevation gain 530 m
- Negative elevation 460 m
- Accommodation Hostel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
You'll hike along the GRP (long-distance hiking trail) of the Hautes Terres d'Oc to Lake Laouzas on the Vèbre River. You'll follow its eastern bank to join the Arles Way (a traditional Roman road) as far as Murat-sur-Vèbre. You're in the heart of the Monts de Lacaune and the Lacaune Ham PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) region. Tastings are a must! You'll spend a comfortable night in a hostel after completing a 20 km stage with 530 meters of ascent and 460 meters of descent.
Day 3 -
From Murat-sur-Vèbre to the Bourdils Forest House
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 22 km
- Positive elevation gain 610 m
- Negative elevation 420 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
The Bourdils forest house is an important stop on this hike. This place is steeped in history since our association decided to bring it back to life in June 1984! Today, the adventure continues with volunteers and nature lovers.
You will pass by the summit of the Espinouse and then continuing south, you will reach the sublime point, at the very top of the Vialais stream before being welcomed by Françoise, at Les Bourdils!Day 4 -
From Bourdils to Douch
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 20 km
- Positive elevation gain 990 m
- Negative elevation 1110 m
- Accommodation Bed and Breakfast
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A magnificent day begins at the "end of the world," a breathtaking viewpoint overlooking the Pyrenees and the Orb plains. You then descend into a protected area via a trail that leads you through the entire national reserve, following the Vialais stream upstream. Here, everything is fragile, and you have the privilege of exploring this haven of nature. At the end of the day, you'll arrive in Douch, a completely different kind of remote corner of the world…
Night in a bed and breakfast
Day 5 -
From Douch to Lamalou-les-Bains
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Distance 22 km
- Positive elevation gain 410 m
- Negative elevation 1130 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
The final stage of this journey climbs to the summit of the Caroux, skirting the peat bogs of the Lande. Before beginning the descent, you'll pass by the orientation table. Before you, the three valleys that converge at Mons la Trivalle, at the foot of the Héric gorges, form a natural landscape that meanders down to the sea. The Fage stream will likely be a pleasant spot for a lunch break by the water before concluding this grand hike with visits to the villages surrounding Lamalou-les-Bains.
For your last evening, we suggest a small outdoor café...You will spend one night in a 3-star hotel after completing a 22 km stage, with a positive elevation gain of 410 meters and a negative elevation gain of 1130 meters.
Day 6 -
Lamalou-les-Bains
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The stay ends after breakfast. If you arrived by train, several shuttle buses will take you back to Bedarieux SNCF train station in 10 minutes.
Lamalou-les-Bains is a spa town. The thermal spa offers various massages and treatments that will perfectly complement this beautiful hike.
Relaxing massage option 40 minutes.
Day 7
Accommodation
Access
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- 1 night in a 3* hostel
- 1 night in a 3* hotel
- 1 night in a mountain refuge
- 1 night in a bed and breakfast
- 1 night in a hostel
- 5 dinners
- 2 meal baskets
- Luggage transport
- The free GPS hiking app
- Our support throughout the entire duration of your project
The price does not include
- Insurance
- The “solo supplement” if you are travelling alone
- The "guinguette" dinner on the last evening
- Picnics (except on day 5 and day 6)
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Tourist taxes
Options
- "All paper" travel file : CHF25.61 / reservation
- Extra night before your stay in La Salvetat sur Agoût - Double room : CHF161.00 / unit
- Extra night before your stay in La Salvetat sur Agoût - Single room : CHF107.95 / unit
- Extra night after your stay in Lamalou les Bains - Double room : CHF161.00 / unit
- Extra night after your stay in Lamalou les Bains - Single room : CHF107.95 / unit
- Relaxing massage : CHF80.50 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment to bring
- Waterproof shoes that fit well on the feet
- 1 comfortable change of clothes and a pair of lightweight shoes for the stage
- 1 Tupperware-type plastic bowl
- Cutlery
- 1 cup
- 1 folding knife (Opinel type)
- 1 water bottle and/or a thermos (minimum one liter)
- 1 lightweight flashlight (preferably a headlamp)
- 1 waterproof plastic sleeve for your documents
- Money: personal expenses (drinks during hikes, visits, etc.)
Optional :
- Photo equipment
- A pair of binoculars
- A survival blanket
Clothing to bring
The 3-layer system allows you to manage all situations during a hike:
- A short- or long-sleeved undershirt (t-shirt) made of breathable material (hollow fiber)
- A warm fleece fur jacket
- A windproof, waterproof, and breathable Gore-Tex type jacket
When hiking in calm, sunny weather, a base layer may suffice. In rain, snow, or wind, simply add a waterproof jacket. In cold weather or during breaks, a fleece jacket is essential. Choose quick-drying clothing and therefore avoid cotton. Opt for wool, silk, and synthetic fibers, which will keep you dry and warm for as long as possible. Avoid overly warm and bulky parkas.
- Waterproof shoes that fit well (mountain boots or "trekking" type walking shoes in leather or leather and Gore-Tex)
- A comfortable change of clothes and a pair of lightweight shoes for the stage
