TRAIL OF THE PATH OF THE TWO LAKES - REGIONAL GR® BETWEEN TWO LAKES AVÈNE – SALAGOU

1

Ceilhes In Ceilhes, take time to stroll through the medieval streets of the village and soak up the calm atmosphere. A beautiful maze, a magnificent church, lovely doors, a refreshing fountain: what a beautiful village! After enjoying the shores of the Bouloc pond and the pleasures of the beach in summer, an alternation of trails and paths in the cool atmosphere of a north-facing forest slope leads to the heights on the east side of the lake.

2

Mont Redon A little over 750m altitude, this is the highest point in the area. Here too, the view of the lake and the rolling landscapes of forests and pastures is stunning! From Mont Redon, you can see far in all directions. Another very beautiful panorama on the descent to the hamlet of Rouvignac (take a detour to admire the beautiful church and cemetery). The descent along a comfortable path allows you to reach the lakeshores. A small climb and you reach the viewpoint overlooking the dam.

3

Dam of the Monts d’Orb Lake Created in 1962 for hydroelectric production and regulation of the Orb river, the Monts d’Orb lake is 6 kilometers long with a surface area of 190 hectares. An old lead and silver mine is now submerged under the lake: the mines and their exploitation were a source of wealth for the Orb valley from Antiquity until the 1950s. It’s time to leave the lake, crossing the pretty hamlet of Brès to descend towards Avène.

4

Avène and its thermal baths Avène's economy was based on significant mining activities from Antiquity until 1954. Today, it is mainly nature that benefits Avène with one of its gifts: water from the depths of the Languedoc earth. After strolling through the pretty narrow streets topped by magnificent porches in this circular architecture village, nestled in a bend of the Orb, the path reaches the Thermal site: peaceful, restful… reflecting the wellness and beauty product range of the Avène brand. Beyond the thermal area, you will find a splendid hotel and an excellent restaurant! The establishment is committed to a true eco-responsible approach: use of local products, innovative and energy-saving architectural and technical choices… The wellness break is welcome, because next: it climbs! After crossing the lovely hamlet of Les Planes and admiring the beautiful traditional communal oven, the path drops into a more Mediterranean environment to reach the hamlet of Saint Barthélémy, then skirts the hamlet of La Dalmerie.

5

La Dalmerie and its Orthodox monastery An Orthodox monastery in the heart of the Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park? Not surprising. Peaceful and very preserved, the area invites contemplation, and many communities have settled between Monts d’Orb, Larzac and Escandorgue. A few kilometers as the crow flies, in Roqueredonde, one can visit a Buddhist temple (Lerab Ling, one of the gems of Lodévois and Larzac). A detour is possible to see up close the Saint-Nicolas Orthodox monastery, before a steep climb leading to a wonderful panorama overlooking Monts d’Orb, Escandorgue and the Gravezon valley. Change of scenery: you switch to the southern slope in a new valley, offering beautiful surprises.

6

Joncels After admiring a fine railway viaduct and passing through the hamlet of Joncelets, a comfortable path leads to Joncels while admiring a pretty valley: Mediterranean ambiance and vineyards… it’s the South! Joncels, a village of superior interest, overlooks the Gravezon valley and is traversed by narrow streets with picturesque houses. A stop for pilgrims who traveled to Compostela from Lodève, Joncels preserves remains of a Benedictine Abbey dating back to the 8th century, and which was one of the most important in Languedoc in the Middle Ages. After crossing the cloister, the path heads to Lunas, following the Arles Route towards Compostela.

7

Lunas A charming village nestled at the confluence of the Gravezon, Nize and Dourdou rivers! Lunas’s history goes back to the Roman road that linked lower Languedoc to Rouergue. Likely succeeding a Gallo-Roman oppidum, the castrum Lunarenses is mentioned as early as 806 in a charter of the Gélone Abbey (that of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert). The town is dominated by the Redondel rock, a former fortress belonging to the baron of Faugères, viscount of Béziers. Destroyed in 1627, it was rebuilt by Henry de Narbonne in 1641 by the Gravezon. A true summary of Languedoc's history, and a cultural, refreshing and gastronomic stop very enjoyable... A small detour to enjoy the Prades leisure center, and a break at the Saint-Georges chapel site, then a steep climb to reach the Dio plateau, regaining the welcome shade of the state forest of Monts d’Orb. You leave the route of the Grandes Traversées VTT of the Massif Central and Hérault to enjoy beautiful views over the Orb valley, reaching a magnificent panorama at the Montjoux paragliding takeoff: Bédarieux, the Caroux...

8

Dio A nice trail, then a visual shock: you arrive at Dio! Sheltered by white limestone cliffs and emerging from the red lands characteristic around Salagou lake, the village nestles under the imposing silhouette of its castle, a legendary fortress. Its construction began in the 11th century to defend the border between Aquitaine, then an English possession, and Languedoc. The castle, restored for about twenty years by its current owner, hosts events and guided tours. The medieval hamlet is also under restoration and offers several tourist accommodations. Friendly advice: stop at Castelou, with Fred and Michel... Nature lovers, they are perfect hosts! On the way to Brenas, you finally glimpse the Salagou lake: a favorite spot is the Montbringues ridge pass...

9

Brenas From Montbringues, a path gently descends toward Brenas: don’t miss the very beautiful orientation table made by a local craftsman. Brenas is a distinct place, a hinge between the Monts d’Orb and Salagou lake, full of charm. The village overlooks the Salagou valley and its cattle and sheep farms which supply milk for Roquefort cheese. The source of the Salagou river is located at the Merquière pass, municipality border with Dio Valquières and Carlencas. Going down after Brenas and the Mas Bas, there is an impressive viewpoint over a canyon of ruffes: in the background, the Castellas of Mérifons, erected on a volcanic peak. In spring, the color contrasts are striking. The bright yellow of blooming broom blends with the green of green oaks and the red of ruffe: welcome to the Grand Site Salagou – Cirque de Mourèze!

10

Octon Octon is a 'favorite' village, symbolic of the special atmosphere of the Grand Site villages. Its houses with multi-colored facades made of local stone, its wine cellars (Mas des Chimères, Mas du Salagou, Trois Terres…) and the charming fountain on the square give a Mediterranean feel to this lively village in the summer. Café de la Place or the restaurant La Calade: 2 atmospheres in a relaxing setting just steps from the lake.

11

Shorelines of Salagou Lake The end of the Path of the 2 Lakes is here: at the Arcades campsite and the 'totem' of the Grande Traversée du Massif Central by mountain bike. A remarkable viewpoint over Salagou lake offers itself to you: reed bed, Neck de la Roque… In summer, a few hundred meters to the left lead to the wonderful dance hall of the Nautical Relay: swimming, pedal boat or stand-up paddle … and a very nice table! Take your time to chat with the friendly team of the nautical relay: enthusiasts, a bit crazy... like the landscapes of Salagou.

Our "favorite stopover" suggestion: - Day 1: Ceilhes - Avène (17 km) - Day 2: Avène - Joncels (18 km) - Day 3: Joncels - Dio (14 km) - Day 4: Dio / Salagou (18 km)
Another suggestion, in randotrail mode over 3 days - Day 1: Ceilhes - Avène (17 km) - Day 2: Avène - Lunas (22.5 km) - Day 3: Lunas / Octon (25 km, + 2.5 km to reach the lakeshores, and extend the pleasure)
Combine Day 1/Day 2 and Day 3/Day 4 of our "favorite stopover" suggestion for a sports challenge over 2 days!
GR® and Regional GR® are registered trademarks of FFRandonnée, designating routes identified under the name «GR®», marked by white-red signs; and under the name «Regional GR®», marked by yellow-red signs. These routes are creations of FFRandonnée. Unauthorized reproduction, as well as the trademarks GR® and Regional GR®, constitute counterfeiting subject to prosecution. Find all GR® on mongr.fr

White and red GR

Yellow and red regional GR

+33 4 67 23 43 38

Grand Orb Tourist Office - Avène Information Desk

GRP - FFR