Top outdoor activities in Herault
From the garrigue to the steep cliffs and the red earth of Salagou, the Hérault has a highly diverse natural heritage. In fact, there's plenty to do in terms of outdoor activities in Herault.
Would you like to initiate or find a place to practice around Montpellier? Principle, equipment, budget... we answer your questions !
Here are the top nature sports of Herault
Tame the cliffs: rock climbing in Herault, abseiling or via ferrata
What's the difference between these 3 sports ?
If climbing consists in going up and then down cliffs, abseiling combines walking and abseiling down to discover inaccessible places, such as caves in cliffs, for example. The descents can sometimes go up to 50 m! These activities are accessible from 6-8 years old.
Via ferrata as for it, consists in progressing along a course by skirting cliffs, sometimes with the help of bars. You will also have to cross precipices with the help of Nepalese bridges (i.e. cables suspended on either side of a ravine, 1 cable for the feet, 2 for the hands) and other zip lines. Accessible to all from 8 years old.
Which budget ?
Climbing: an initiation session coasts about 40 €. For longer and more difficult ways, you will have to pay 150 € for half a day and 250 € for the whole day.
Abseiling: the activity costs between 35 and 55 € and can last 3 hours, half a day or more.
Via ferrata: this is the cheapest among the three. You will have to pay between 35 and 45 € depending on whether the session lasts 2 or 4 hours.
Where to practice ?
For climbing, the Hortus, the Pic Saint Loup, the Caroux, Saint Guilhem le Désert are very good sites. There is no lack of spots in Hérault.
For the via ferrata, I advise you to go to the Vidourle, the Thaurac or the via ferrata des Rousses.
Saint Jean de Buèges and the Pic St Loup are ideal places for abseiling
Canyoning: an outdoor adventure in Herault
The principle:
Canyoning consists in descending torrents that have carved canyons over geological ages. You will slide on natural toboggans, jump (only if you are conspicuous) or abseil down and even swim in crystalline waters. A sport rich in adrenaline and refreshing, which also makes it possible to discover wonderful landscapes.
Which budget?
From 40 € for an initiation (half day) to 120 € for more complicated day trips.
Where to practice canyoning around Montpellier ?
Going canyoning in Saint Guilhem le Desert remains a safe bet as it is close to Montpellier and the Herault Gorges will delight beginners and experienced alike.
However, the Herault offers other canyons with less people such as the ravine Arcs (near the Pic St Loup), at the Rec Grand canyon (massif du Caroux) or at the Tapoul (near the Aigoual, in the Cevennes).
Electric longboarding: an unusual outdoor activity in Herault
But what is this editor talking to me about?
Don't worry, before I arrived at Wisud, I didn't even know what a longboard was. Simply speaking, a longboard is a bigger skateboard. Except that the one I'm talking about is electric, and only Wisud and his partner Ludo can offer it in Hérault. So it's a longboard that goes by itself, or rather thanks to a remote control.
It requires a little bit of balance, that's why we've planned a 20 minutes warm-up at the beginning of the session. Accessible from 12 years old and the session takes place around the Pic Saint Loup, on paths in the middle of the garrigue.
Mountain biking: a natural sport in the Herault, for those who love to ride
Not too many questions to ask here regarding the equipment: a bike, a helmet, a water bottle... So here are the best places to practice it around here
Around the Salagou lake (15 circuits, 210 km) :
This is the most famous spot in the Hérault, and with good reason! With its red grounds, the descents and the bumps of several meters and the lake which allows you to to swim according to the season, you will enjoy for sure !
La Salvetat Haut-Languedoc (31 circuits, 610 km) :
Even if it's not very close (2h drive from downtown Montpellier), the mountain bike circuits of the Salvetat sur Agoût are a real treat. You will pedal in the middle of forests of firs and deciduous trees, in a mountainous scenery with lakes nearby.
Herault Valley (7 circuits, 125 km) :
It's the opportunity to pedal in the middle of the garrigue, to visit the heights of Saint Guilhem the Desert and the remarkable sites around the Grand Site de France "Gorges de l'Hérault". The three reception points of the Intercommunal Tourist Office St-Guilhem-le-Désert / Vallée de l'Hérault can provide you with repair material and topo guides of the circuits.
Caroux Haut-Languedoc (16 circuits, 250 km) : Caroux Haut-Languedoc (16 circuits, 250 km) :
With its plains, its verdant vineyards in spring, its hills and wooded hills, the Caroux has very contrasting landscapes, which will certainly seduce you. Wild and mountainous trails that host every spring the EPIC enduro, the most difficult enduro mountain bike competition in the world...
You should also know that there are electric mountain bikes.
For hiking, the area around Montpellier will leave you speechless
Hiking is without doubt the most popular outdoor activity in France and the Herault. Here are some really enjoyable trails.
GR from London to the Buèges :
He was elected favorite itinerary of french people and we are lucky to have him in Hérault! A walk which asts 3 days and makes you meet very varied landscapes of a rare beauty: vineyards, olive trees and garrigue but also causses and gorges passing by stone villages with authentic charm. You will notably cross St Martin de Londres, a medieval village at the foot of the Pic St Loup, as well as the gorges de l'Hérault.
Ascent of the Pic Saint Loup :
This time it is a small hike. Count about 2h walking to reach the top of the emblematic mountain of the Montpellier area. From the 658m high summit, take a picnic and enjoy the panorama : an incredible view on the garrigue, vineyards and even the sea.
Caroux-Espinouse Massif :
Located in the heart of the Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park, the Caroux massif includes the Heric Gorges : a subtle mix of rocks, cliffs, vegetation, waterfalls, river and canyon...
The Gorges de la Colombières are also part of this massif, with their wild aspect, surrounded by mountains and forests. You may pass by troglodyte houses or by the Fage river basin, ideal place for picnicking.
It is also the occasion to visit the villages of Olargues and Roquebrun, two little jewels which will seduce you !
Olivier BOURRAT, student in tourism school in Montpellier
