GETTING THERE
Narbonne – 63km (1h 15min)
Alicante – 90km (1h 20min)
Toulouse – 150km (2h 20min)
Car parking: Park at parking lot Gorges d’Heric. The parking lot is paid in high season (mid April – September). The rest of the year it is free. In 2024 the prices were 1,5 EUR for motorbike, 3,5 EUR for car and 10 EUR for camper.
Camper/van overnight stay: Stay at Camping duCaroux, which has reasonable pricing and showers and is walking distance to the starting location. Enjoy views on the mountains. More information HERE
TRAIL NAVIGATION
At the trail head there is general map available. However if you are visiting only the main trail leading up to Heric village and back, you will not need additional navigation. Simply follow the road until it ends, there are no turns. Due to this you will not find any directional signs or markings, only at some points there are signs telling you the distance to Heric.
TRAIL DETAILS
The trail is very easy. You will gain little over 300m in 5km and you shall enjoy mostly very mild grade, at least the first 4km. The last kilometre the trail becomes more steep with some zig zags but it is still very easy. The whole trail is possible to do on wheelchair or pushchair/pram, although there were some smaller potholes here and there. You share the road with cyclists, so beware. I have also came across a car from Heric resident.
The entire trail is very beautiful with rock formations and river all along, which is the reason why it is also so popular. You will cross the river couple of times over small stone bridges. You can also spot and observe rock climbers on some of the peaks, especially in the morning.
The river and large boulders create natural pools, which you can use as swimming pools on hot days. I did the trail in April and the water was very cold.
The trail ends in “village” Heric. There is no real village, but charming fallen down houses. There is one or two houses which are occupied and one of those houses is actually small restaurant/coffee place where you can buy refreshments. From here walk the same way back.
Tree coverage: There is some tree coverage but mostly open. Some shade might be provided by the hills
Geocaching: There are only couple of geocaches on this trail.
Dogs: It is possible to do this route with your dog, but it must be leashed.
More about the hike HERE
For more challenging hike, visit HERE
FACILITIES
There is small bar at the start and end of the trail, but the opening hours are unreliable.
There are public toilets at the start, have not seen any at the end of the trail. No facilities along the trail.
I completed this hike in April 2024 on Saturday, it was busy. Warm weather around 17 degrees, but cloudy with some wind.
