Caroux and Héric Gorges Loop

The round was suggested to me by Komoot, the destination itself by a local here in Villeneuve. It was really worth it: the landscape is fantastic. It is essential to wear sturdy shoes for the first part and take swimming gear with you for the second part.

Another gorge hike, how beautiful! It's our last day in the region and we want to end the great time with a nice tour. So off to the Gorges d'Héric. From the car park we take the wide, paved path up along the water. It's very pleasant here, you hardly notice how you're gaining altitude, the rushing and bubbling of the water accompanies the path. It rained a lot yesterday, which certainly contributes to the cheerful splashing. There are also wonderful views of the rocks all around, it's just beautiful. We're quickly up in the old stone hamlet, it's almost deserted, a lot has fallen into disrepair, but with so much charm! I'm always really impressed by settlements like this. Stone houses that are pressed together and defy the conditions of the environment. But there's still life here. A rooster crows to greet and say goodbye and so on. A beautifully and usefully laid out garden draws my admiration. Now we go downhill a little, we pass the old, curved bridge and then a small, steep climb begins. Until we go down again. No, that's not true at all. You just walk a little, enjoy the landscape, the mountains, the beauty of nature and the paths. The paths are really beautiful! I like paths. Lined with green, with grey - with trees, with walls. With bushes, with rocks. Or completely different. Paths, in fact. The descent is also pleasant, the path is easy to walk, you jump from stone to stone, it looks as if it were paved with thick stones. And with secret treasures, locked in the rock a long time ago. But time also gnaws away at the stone and so the crystals sparkle everywhere, the path sometimes looks as if it is speckled with splinters! It glitters, shimmers, sparkles. Almost like a fairy tale. Then you're at the bottom, you cross old Mons, which is also very charming, and you're back at the car park. There's a turnoff. Right ahead, shortly after the tour begins. You go down a set of steps, cross the stream on a narrow bridge, or rather a footbridge, and then you follow a path into the forest. It looked exciting. It's a shame our time here is over, I would have loved to go!

Hike on mostly shady paths. Parking in Mons by the church. Thanks to Pat and John Underwood.

Very nice hike, not too long but quite a tough climb. The start of the walk is at the gorges d'Heric parking lot where you pay 3.50€ to park the car for the day. There are plenty of spaces to park and toilets are available as well as a small bar where you can purchase refreshments, sandwiches and ice cream. For the start of the walk you follow the blue markings towards the village. As the climb starts the marking switches to yellow/red. As mentioned the climb is quite tough in parts but the views over the valley only get better and better. Also there is a lot of shading which is very handy on a warm summer day. Up until the moment that you get to the small hamlet of Heric you should barely cross anyone else on the path. In the hamlet of Heric it is possible to stop for a drink and from here you will start seeing lots more people. The way down follows the gorge on a concrete path and it is possible to go down into the gorge and enjoy a swim if water levels are high enough.

Nice route to do in the other direction to enjoy the gorges on the way back.

It's a beautiful gorge, and on June 13th, it's so quiet. Plenty of swimming opportunities. The path is thankfully shady in the heat. The mouflon family was a highlight. My recommendation 🥾🇫🇷😀