In 2021, my partner and I temporarily moved to Montpellier, France. As we are both outdoor enthusiasts, we were eager to explore the Languedoc region on foot – and we got in quite a bit of walking during our time in le sud de France. The landscape is drastically different from Alsace – much wilder and rugged. That said, there is a great range of hiking options nearby Montpellier, ranging from leisurely walks to challenging and technical routes.
What makes Montpellier great for hiking enthusiasts?
Montpellier is a sprawling mid-size city in the South of France about six miles (10 km) inland from the Mediterranean Sea.1 To the north and northwest are various French national parks, and to the southwest are the Pyrenees Mountains. The Pyrenees are a massive range spanning more than 305 miles (430 km) along the French and Spanish border.
Sidebar: This is a region I’d love to explore more of. I got a taste when exploring Girona with my brother and mom in 2019.
While we have yet to venture over to the Pyrenees, we’ve taken advantage of having a car to explore several routes within a 90-minute drive from the city center.
Please note that all distances from Montpellier are noted in terms of driving time. For information on the most up-to-date means of reaching these locations via public transport, please see the tourist websites, which I reference at the end of each section and are accessible via a link at the end of the article.
Lac du Salagou
Distance from Montpellier: 1 hour
What we loved about this hike
Well-maintained trails for easy walking, gorgeous red dirt that blazes in the sunshine, sense of community with other walkers (this route is popular!).
Other possibilities: Perfect for a picnic, mountain biking, or exploring with children.
You can find more information on the Lac du Salagou tourist site.2
Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone
Distance from Montpellier: 30 minutes
What we loved about this hike
More of a scenic walk than a hike, with plenty of opportunities to view wildlife such as flamingoes in the shallows. There is also a cafe located on a vineyard where you can stop and have a snack or a meal, as well as peruse the gift shop.
Other possibilities: In the summertime, this would be a fabulous beach day. We went in January and contrary to what people will tell you, the South of France does experience cold weather. That said, it’s brief and not that bad because there’s usually a lot of sunshine. However, it does get very cold, especially when that sun goes down.
As the French say: Attention !
The walking path down to the ocean commences with a stroll over a bridge that is raised in the evening. You would think that this would be trumpeted to all who cross over the bridge, but no. There is just a little plaque providing the information to passersby, and too bad if you didn’t read it on your way in. Thibault and I didn’t make it back before the bridge was raised for the evening, which resulted in a five-kilometer walk to a gas station (accessible only by crossing a highway on foot), which was followed by an Uber back to where we’d parked our car. The worst part? We couldn’t even really complain, because the other people trapped were a couple with a baby in a stroller and their dog. I kid you not, the workers refused to raise the bridge and subjected this family to a twilight traipse in the middle of nowhere.
You can find more information on visiting Villeneuve les Maguelone on their website.3
Cirque de Navacelles
Distance from Montpellier: 1 hour and 15 minutes
What we loved about this hike
This was a proper hike in what is apparently Europe’s deepest canyon – who knew! We went a little less than eight miles (13 km) in a lovely loop that took us through the forest, past tiny ancient stone cottages and a water mill and were treated to great landscape views on the final descent.
Of note: As of this writing, it’s a bit unclear where the trail begins when you arrive because there is construction happening at the end of the car park. You can walk around the construction fencing and pick up the trailhead behind it!
More information on the Navacelles Circuit, including its history and alternative means of getting to the canyon, can be found on the appropriate tourist website.4
Gorges d’Heric
Distance from Montpellier: 1 hour 40 minutes
What we loved about this hike
This isn’t really one trail so much as an area with a ton of different options. You even have some areas where you can climb if that’s something you’d be interested in learning. In the summertime, canyoning is an option. There is also a nice touristic path that connects many of the small villages, so if you do a big walk up and around the mountains and come down on the same side, there’s a good chance you can light on the flat walking path to get back to the village you started from. This is what we did, starting from Mons La Trivalle.
We also found our route on the app Visorando. It’s a great app and very handy but be careful to bring a backup battery for your phone and try to remember to download the map before you leave so you’re not draining your phone’s battery in the mountains.
You can find more information on visiting Gorges d’Heric on the website.5
And that’s a wrap on all of the hikes we’ve done since moving to Montpellier!
If you have any questions, please leave them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to answer them 🙂
References
