Pic Saint-Loup ascent

Visible from far and wide, the Pic Saint-Loup, lord of the garrigues, is instantly recognizable with its 658 m-high silhouette, steep north face and long, wooded ridge. A perfect idea for a family outing.

An exceptional site.

This site, listed since 1978, was also included in the NATURA 2000 network. One of the aims was to preserve the biotope of Bonelli's eagle. Today, this endangered species no longer occupies the site, but leaves behind a fauna and flora characteristic of the garrigue environment.

This specific plant life is mainly represented by holm oaks (on the southern slopes) and white oaks (on the northern slopes), but also by kermes oaks, Aleppo pines, arbutus trees, junipers..., not forgetting the many aromatic plants (thyme, laurel, rosemary...) rich in virtues and above all incredibly fragrant.

Today, this flora and fauna remains fragile, which is why it's important to continue protecting it, notably by staying on the marked trails.

Starting point: Cazevieille

From the parking lot, head for the dry-stone shelter and take the stony path. It leads to a track coming from the village.

Path on the right

Take the path to the right: rocky outcrops make for a tricky footing as you climb up the slope, through vegetation of cades, holm oaks, boxwood and juniper (view opposite to the summit cross, on the right to the coastline and wine-growing plain).

After 1.5 km, ignore the path that descends to the right and continue through a small tunnel of holm oaks before passing a scree on the left. Reach the Croisette crossroads.

An unforgettable panorama.

Climb opposite along the access path to the summit. It narrows and twists upwards before reaching the rocky platform (chapel) below the summit. A few metres higher, you reach the highest point of the Pic Saint-Loup at 658 m: to the north, Mont Aigoual, the Séranne massif, the Saint-Martin-de-Londres basin, Mont Lozère and, on a clear day to the east, Mont Ventoux.

Time to head back down.

Take the same route down to the parking lot.

Le Pic Saint-Loup
from Saint-Mathieu-De-Tréviers.

• By car: Park in the Intermarché parking lot. Follow the white and red GR signposted route, marked on a post at the entrance to the parking lot. Turn left at the gas station, pass the Krys optician, cross the traffic circle and turn left onto Chemin de la Planasse.

• By bus: In Montpellier, take the blue streetcar, line 1 to the Occitanie stop. At the streetcar parking lot, take bus 115, line Montpellier > Quissac. In Saint-Mathieu, get off at the first stop "Avenue de Montpellier". Go right for about 200 m and take the first street on the right, called "Chemin de la Planasse".

• Continue straight ahead along the cycle path, leaving the swimming pool on your left and continuing to the right.
• Follow the white and red GR.
• Leave the "Domaine de la Salade" junction on your left, and at the Calvaire, go straight up "Chemin de la Fontaine".
• Then turn left, then left again on "rue des Placettes" and follow the "Cami do Castellas" to the right, in the direction of Château de Montferrand.

• At the entrance to the Saint-Agnès winery, take the track on the right and cross the parking lot. Follow the track to the left as far as the reservoirs.
• Climb the stony path on the right.
• At the crossroads, continue straight ahead.
• After a bend, reach a fork in the road and continue straight ahead to the Croisette crossroads.
• Follow the yellow markings (PR), then turn right to reach the summit of Pic Saint-Loup.

Le Pic Saint-Loup
from Saint-Martin-De-Londres.

• By car: Park in the school parking lot, then walk to the village center.

• By bus: The village is served by bus 608, Centre stop (Montpellier > Le Vigan line).

• Opposite the Tour de l'Horloge, turn left onto Route du Littoral, then left onto the D32, passing under the D986 (caution: path flooded in heavy rain).
• The path runs alongside the Liquière stream.
• Turn left towards Mas de la Liquière and, opposite the farmhouse, take the path on the right towards Mas-de-Londres.
• Follow the yellow and red GRP markings along the hillside path, passing under the porch via the traverse de François to reach the village.
• At the small square, turn right and continue straight ahead.
• Follow the track leading to the pass (280 m) marked by a crossroads [view of the plain, Pic Saint-Loup on the right, and, in the background, Roc Blanc, Mont Aigoual, Cévennes].
• Turn right onto the road for 150 m.

• Turn left off the road onto a footpath, then left at the clearing for 1.5 km.
• After the undergrowth path, turn right at the crow's-foot.
• Leave the reservoir viewpoint (348 m) on your right.
• Go straight ahead and, at the road, turn left to reach Cazevieille. Pass the chapel (watering place), go up the street and take the alley on the left.
• Continue straight ahead to reach the crossroads above the Pic Saint-Loup parking lot.
• Follow the yellow markings (PR) to reach the Croisette crossroads.
• Turn left to reach the summit of Pic Saint-Loup.

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