Upper Languedoc: 6 days at your own pace
In summary
-
Sports
-
Duration6 days
-
LevelIntermediate
-
DestinationHérault / Lamalou-les-Bains
-
AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
-
CO₂-Emissions67.99 kg CO2
-
Type of stayIndependent traveler
In a few words
A self-guided stay to discover the landscapes of the Caroux and the Espinouse, between gneiss ridges, high-altitude peat bogs, oak and beech forests, and Mediterranean valleys.
You walk with a locally designed, precise and detailed road book. Each day can be adapted according to your fitness level or the weather.
Accommodation is provided in a 3-star hotel, with half-board on the first night. Other dinners are at your leisure, with our recommendations for local inns and restaurants.
Spirit of the stay
- 5 hikes selected from the most representative areas of the mountain range
- Access to the Vialais reserve
- Passing over the summit of the Caroux and discovering the peat bogs
- Possible stops in the natural pools of the gorges
- Free time for local markets, villages and producers
- Access to the Lamalou-les-Bains thermal spa (optional)
Picnics can be put together using ingredients from local markets or shops.
The highlights
-
Self-guided hikes on the ridges and gorges of the Caroux
-
Access to the Lamalou-les-Bains thermal spa after the walk (optional)
-
Preserved landscapes between peat bogs, forests and Mediterranean valleys
Photos
Sport
Level
Hiking / Trekking
The expert's opinion
A level 1 to 2 stay
- Route requiring a minimum of experience, on medium mountain trails, generally well marked.
- The hike may include short sections off-trail, but no major difficulties.
- Approximately 4 to 5 hours of walking per day (excluding breaks)
In figures
Hiking
- Average duration/day: 4h
- Average distance/day: 7 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 314 m
- Average daily descent: 314 m
Management
Program
-
Lamalou-les-Bains - Spa resort
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 0h45
- Distance 3 km
- Positive elevation gain 30 m
- Negative elevation 30 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
You arrived around 3pm. We offer you a "digital discovery" booklet to freely explore the villages and some hidden gems to discover during your first afternoon.
A first warm-up walk to discover the magnificent chapel of St Pierre de Rhèdes. This Romanesque priory is a small architectural gem, characterized in particular by its two portals enhanced with basalt inlays.
Dinner and half-board at the accommodation
Night in a 3* hotel
Distance: 2.6km
Walking time: approximately 45 minutes
Approximately 30m elevation change.
Day 1 -
Douch - The summit of the Caroux!
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 9 km
- Positive elevation gain 390 m
- Negative elevation 390 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Morning transfer to the village of Douch (15km). The walk takes you over the summit of the Caroux mountain, with the Mediterranean Sea stretching out before you, and the entire upper Orb valley extending as far as the eye can see. The scents of broom and heather mingle with the damp sensations of the peat bog and its ecosystem, home to sundews, those curious carnivorous plants that feed on small insects. Visit to the mouflon sanctuary before returning to the valley.
Dinner is at your leisure. There are many brasseries and lively restaurants in the area. We will provide you with a guide to help you make your choice.
Night in a 3* hotel
Distance: 9km
Walking time: approximately 4 to 4.5 hours
Approximately 390m elevation gain.
Day 2 -
Le Vialais - In the heart of the protected area
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 350 m
- Negative elevation 350 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
On Tuesday morning, you'll take a short stroll through the Lamalou market before heading to the Col de l'Ourtigas (17km). You'll discover a unique landscape of granite and gneiss, where mica has settled, giving the entire massif a brilliant sheen. As you hike the Vialais trail in the hills above the village of Douch, you're sure to spot the first mouflon sheep of the day above the Vialais gorges. These mouflon are a small piece of Corsica on the mainland. They were reintroduced here almost 70 years ago!
Dinner at leisure. In good weather, we will offer you an open-air, casual dinner by the water.
Night in a 3* hotel
Distance: 9km
Walking time: approximately 4 to 4.5 hours
Approximately 450m elevation gain.
Day 3 -
La Fage - The Colombières Gorges
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 8 km
- Positive elevation gain 350 m
- Negative elevation 350 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Morning transfer to the old village of Madale (10km). You'll walk through chestnut groves, their vibrant green contrasting with the crystal-clear mica, along the old mule track. Below lies Colombières-sur-Orb, the birthplace of writer Jean-Claude Carrière. Along the path, terraced fields still stand as reminders of past agricultural activity. For lunch, we suggest a swim in the natural pools carved into the rock by the stream's erosion.
Dinner at your leisure in a traditional inn. A lovely place with delicious food. Relaxed atmosphere. We invite you to discover it!
Night in a 3* hotel
Distance: 8km
Walking time: approximately 4 to 4.5 hours
Approximately 350m elevation gain.
Day 4 -
Mons - The Héric Gorges
- Activity Hiking
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 6 km
- Positive elevation gain 450 m
- Negative elevation 450 m
- Accommodation 3-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Morning transfer to Mons La Trivalle (14km). Thursday is market day in Mons. You'll stroll among the stalls of local producers before climbing through the medieval streets to reach the upper part of the village. The path through the Héric Gorge offers sweeping views of the peaks of the Caroux massif before descending to a clear pool for lunch. This environment is unique; its exposure and climate create a magnificent contrast between the warm Mediterranean light and the mists clinging to the Espinouse plateau.
Last dinner at an inn or one of our favorite restaurants.
Dinner at your leisure. For your last evening, we'd like to recommend a few excellent restaurants...
Night in a 3* hotel
Distance: 6km
Walking time: approximately 4 to 4.5 hours
Approximately 450m elevation gain.
Day 5 -
End of stay
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
End of stay after breakfast.
For this final day, we suggest excursions to the other villages bordering the mountain range, a wine tour, a stroll through the high country, or simply a visit to the farmers' markets that are held throughout the year. You are free to enjoy these activities at your leisure.
Day 6
Note
Wellness and Relaxation Packages
This year we are offering two packages at the Lamalou les Bains Thermal Spa. They are called Wellness and Relaxation. These two programs are designed to complement the organized hiking days in the Caroux mountain range.
Accommodation
Since 1900, the Belleville hotel has been the hotel reference in Lamalou les Bains, crossroads between the Hérault, the Tarn and the Aveyron, benefiting from a unique location in the city centre, between the theatre and the old market, 300 metres from the thermal centre.
Access
Go directly to the accommodation in LAMALOU LES BAINS from 3pm.
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- 1 night with half board
- 4 nights in a B&B with full board
- The free GPS hiking app
- The organization and preparation of the stay
- Our support throughout the entire duration of your project.
The price does not include
- 4 free dinners
- Picnics
- Insurance
Options
- Wellness package : CHF160.09 / person
- Relaxed formula : CHF224.13 / person
- Travel diary : CHF32.02 / unit
- Extra night before stay - Single room : CHF114.35 / person
- Extra night before stay - Double room : CHF86.91 / person
- Extra night before stay - Twin room : CHF86.91 / person
- Additional night after stay - Single room : CHF114.35 / person
- Additional night after stay - Double room : CHF86.91 / person
- Extra night after stay - Twin room : CHF86.91 / person
- 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
Hiking equipment
- 1 backpack of 35/40 litres with a flexible frame, equipped with a waist belt
- A large plastic bag to protect the inside of the backpack.
- 1 pair of sunglasses.
- 1 thermos or a preferably insulated water bottle (1.5 liters minimum).
- 1 Opinel-type pocket knife.
- 1 small pouch (preferably waterproof) to put your money, identity card, health insurance card and assistance contract in.
- Toiletries (opt for the essentials, small sizes, samples and travel kits).
- 1 quick-drying bath towel.
- Earplugs or ear pads (optional).
- Toilet paper + 1 lighter to burn the paper during "nature" breaks.
- Sunscreen.
- Airtight plastic container for lunch picnic (minimum capacity 0.5 l) + cup + cutlery.
- 1 headlamp or flashlight.
- 1 survival blanket.
- Camera, binoculars (optional).
Bathing
Don't forget your swimsuit and towel. Swimming in the cool stream water isn't mandatory, but it's very pleasant!
Thermal center
Swimsuits are mandatory (shorts or swim trunks are not allowed), as well as swim caps and sandals. (If you don't have any, you can get some from the center).
Clothing to bring
Personal protective equipment to be provided
For the upper body, the 3-layer principle allows you to manage almost all situations :
- a long-sleeved undershirt made of breathable material (hollow fiber).
- a warm fleece fur jacket.
- a windproof, waterproof and breathable jacket of the gore-tex type.
Choose clothes that dry quickly, so avoid cotton. Opt for wool, silk, and synthetic fibers that will keep you dry and warm for as long as possible.
Remember to dress warmly before you get cold, but especially to remove layers before you get too hot. Sweat is a hiker's enemy, as it dampens clothing which quickly becomes icy during breaks.
Avoid anoraks and prohibit overly warm and bulky equipment.
The ideal list (to be adapted according to the hike and the season):
- 1 sun hat or cap.
- 1 scarf.
- 1 beanie.
- Short-sleeved T-shirts in breathable material preferred (1 for 2 to 3 days of walking).
- 1 long-sleeved undershirt in breathable material or a shirt.
- 1 fleece fur jacket.
- 1 windproof, waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type jacket with hood.
- 1 rain cape or a bivvy bag if you own the jacket above.
- 1 pair of loose-fitting trekking trousers.
- 1 pair of underwear (maybe be used in the evening at the stopover).
- Hiking socks (1 pair for 2 to 3 days of hiking). Opt for wool or hiking-specific socks. Be careful with cotton as it can cause blisters.
- 1 pair of hiking boots that provide good ankle support and are waterproof with Vibram-type soles. Remember to "test" new shoes and those that haven't been used for a long time beforehand.
- Underwear.
- 1 pair of comfortable trousers for the evening.
- 1 pair of lightweight casual shoes for the evening.
Our partner team
We are sorry to hear that.
Help us improve this page. Tell us what information you would have liked to see.
Have a question about this trip?
Select the type of request, and we will get back to you shortly.
- Valid for a first booking on our site, with no minimum purchase required.
- Can be combined with any other current promotion.
- Not valid on air transport, carbon offsetting and insurance.
- All you need to do is subscribe to our newsletter.
- You will receive your promo code by email immediately after registering.
- ✅ A 100% identical offer: Same dates, same services, same sales conditions.
- ✅ A public and accessible price: The offer must be proposed by a French professional website, in euros.
- ❌ Flights and transport in your name: Airline or train tickets already issued in your name are not refundable under this guarantee.
- ❌ Specific named services: Certain personalized services (such as a special permit or a named registration for a race or accommodation) may be excluded.
- You pay a 30% deposit today to reserve your stay.
- The balance (the remaining 70%) must be paid no later than 30 days before departure.
- ✅ Of an amount greater than €300.
- ✅ Whose departure is in more than 30 days.