Dominated by the rocky bar of Mont Liausson, the cirque of Mourèze offers a beautiful walk through a landscape worthy of a fairytale, where the dolomite offers real natural sculptures in a chaos of upright rocks.
This is a 'must-do' walk, and can be very popular at weekends all year round. As it faces south, it is not recommended in very hot weather. If you can do it during the week outside the summer season, you'll get the most out of it!
Although the length and gradient of the walk put it at an 'average' level, you need to be in good physical condition and have steady feet: - Steep and sometimes slippery climb between points 4 and 5 to reach the summit of Mont Liausson - Steep descent before point 6, between the crests of Mont Liausson and the Col de Portes.
The route is connected to the Mont Liausson PR: follow the signs on the signposts. Tip: for those who want to do more, you can combine the 2 PR trails to complete the tour of Mont Liausson. The hike is just under 12km long, with an ascent of almost 700m, including the return trip to the viewpoint at St Jean d'Aureillan.
In July, a festival is held in the village, so a provisional route is proposed. Further information from the Tourist Office
Author’s recommendation
An athletic climb takes you to the summit of Mont Liausson, where you can enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the Lac du Salagou: the epitome of the Grand Site Salagou - Cirque de Mourèze!
Good reasons to choose this route
The charm of the village of MourèzeExceptional panoramic views over the Lac du Salagou and the Cirque de MourèzeThe possibility of doing more by combining the Mont Liausson and Cirque de Mourèze walks
Track types
Show elevation profileSafety information
In an emergency, dial 112
Tips and suggestions
OFFICE DE TOURISME DU CLERMONTAIS
Tel : +33 4 67 96 23 86
Email : tourisme@cc-clermontais.fr
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
- Itinerary shared with the PR The Courtinals path as far as point 3 At the end of the car park, take the path on the right. Pass to the left of the refreshment point, climb the steps and enter the Courtinals park.
- Take the left-hand path to the Courtinals lookout (uninterrupted view of the Mourèze cirque and Liausson mountain).2: Enter the cirque, first taking a narrow path (follow the signs!), then continuing along the better-marked path on the right. It winds its way through the cirque's rosemary, heather, juniper, arbutus and helianthus vegetation. Reach a fork in the path.
- Turn right, facing Pic Saint-Jean, and walk along the foot of the cliffs. Opposite the Brunel rock, take the Chemin des Charbonniers to the right and continue straight ahead. The path runs along the side of the mountain until it reaches a crossroads.
- Turn left, ignoring the Chemin des Combasses opposite. The path climbs through holm oak vegetation (former charcoal kilns) and reaches the crest of the Liausson mountain (junction with the PR Le Mont Liausson).
- Take the ridge path on the left (viewpoint over Lac du Salagou). It passes close to the ruins of the Saint-Jean-d'Aureillan hermitage (access forbidden: danger!), continues along the ridge, descends along the ridge then veers right and leads to the Col de Portes.
- Descend along the path on the left for 700 m. Separate from the PR Le mont Liausson.
- Take the path on the left to return to the cirque. Pass under the organs. The winding path leads into the rue du Cirque (junction with the Courtinals path).
- Continue towards the centre of the village, passing the church and turning left. At the square, turn right and then left onto the D8 to get back to the starting point.
Directions
Think about carpooling
Parking
Courtinals car park, pay car park (€3, no credit cards or ATMs), at the entrance to the village.
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
IGN 2643 OT
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
Walking shoes recommended.
Don't forget to take water.
Localization
Weather at the route's trailhead
Statistics
- 1 Waypoints
- 1 Waypoints
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Route
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Gradient
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