Bike and mountains bike
The Heart of Hérault by bike
In close collaboration with the local communities of Clermontais, Lodévois et Larzac, and Vallée de l’Hérault, the Pays Cœur d’Hérault region has published the brochure "Cycling in the Heart of Hérault."
It offers 10 cycling routes throughout the region, of varying distances and difficulty levels, exploring major sites such as Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and the Hérault Gorges, the Salagou Valley and the Cirque de Mourèze, and the Cirque de Navacelles. These routes wind through vineyards, olive groves, the southern Larzac plateau, and the region's rich local heritage.
THE 10 LOOPS IN A FEW WORDS:
Loop N°1 : Around the Causse d'Aumelas (easy level - 32km). This circuit will immerse you in the heart of the Causse d'Aumelas, in a wild setting with a surprising atmosphere. The Causse once housed significant human activity, linked in particular to sheep farming. The abandonment of pastoralism has led to the desertification of these scrublands, true havens of nature.
Loop N°3 : Vineyards of the Hérault valley (easy level - 17km). The Hérault Valley, located between the last foothills of the central massif and the alluvial plain of the Hérault river, benefits from exceptional sunshine and a quality terroir, including the winegrowers of Montpeyroux, Saint Saturnin de Lucian and Les Terrasses du Larzac have been able to reveal all the greatness.
Loop N°4 : The Hérault gorges and the Buèges valley (difficult level - 52.5 km). This sporty itinerary will immerse you in the heart of the southern Cévennes, to discover the foothills of the Séranne. Picturesque villages, and several remarkable heritage elements mark out this route, which will make you discover a more intimate side of the Grand Site of France Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert - Gorges de l'Hérault.
Loop N°5: Vineyards and capitelles in Clermontais (very easy level - 30km). Departing from Lieuran-Cabrières and its volcano, you will discover the vineyards of the AOC Languedoc - Pézenas (AOP) appellation. The diversity of the wine landscape, the capitelles and the picturesque valleys will not leave you indifferent.
Loop N°6 : The royal factory of Villeneuvette and the circus of Mourèze (easy level - 25km). With its airs of Tuscany, the landscape around Nébian offers an unexpected panorama. You will cross hilly landscapes, planted with vines, olive trees, almond trees and Florentine cypresses and, in a pedal stroke, you will arrive at the cloth city of Villeneuvette, not far from the Cirque de Mourèze and its dolomites.
Loop N°7 : Around the lake of Salagou (easy level - 43km). This great loop will give you the opportunity to repeatedly embrace dry and luminous Mediterranean landscapes which contrast with the aquatic landscapes of Lake Salagou. Typical villages, megaliths and panoramas will follow one another throughout your journey.
Loop N°8 : Sacred road via the balcony of Perthus (very difficult level - 82km). This circuit from Lodève will take you to the Causse du Larzac passing by the Prieuré St Michel de Grandmont, then by the Col du Vent. You will alternately cross dolomitic and agricultural landscapes to the Lerab Ling Buddhist temple, to descend via a route with breathtaking views.
Loop N°9 : The Cirque de Navacelles and the Grands Causses (difficult level - 59km). Departing from Caylar en Larzac, you will cross the southern Causse du Larzac then the Grand Site du Cirque de Navacelles, an ecological and geological marvel where the steep drop will allow you to admire a spectacular panorama while making an unforgettable sporting effort.
Loop N°10 : Terroirs road (difficult level - 55km). This loop starting from Soubès reaches the Causse du Larzac, at St Pierre de la Fage, where you will see a renovated 17th century windmill. After the descent via the Col du Vent and the crossing of Arboras, you will cross the plain where vineyards and olive groves mark out this route.
MTB area – Salagou FFC
Cycling map – Hérault mountain biking
Nature getaway without a car
Gentle immersion, over the landscapes
From the arid plateaus of the Cirque de Navacelles to the red soils of Lake Salagou, passing through the green gorges of the Hérault, the Great Sites of France are traversed to the rhythm of the landscapes. On the trails, in the middle of nature or in the villages, they invite you to take the time to discover and meet people. Men and women, who are committed to transmitting the singular identity of their territory and their terroir, welcome you in all seasons.