PASSA MERIDIA BY MTB – NORTH BRANCH FROM BÉDARIEUX TO LA SALVETAT

1

From the station, crossing Bédarieux allows a leisurely ride through the town, enjoying the right bank then the left bank of the Orb up to Mas Blanc: a nice gentle warm-up! From crossing the Orb at Tour-sur-Orb, you enter ‘mountain’ mode, climbing from 200 m to over 1100 m altitude! But it is worth the view: continue warming up to Boussagues, an ancient fortified medieval town; then towards Camplong, a mining town nestled in the magical Espaze valley. A long climb follows to discover the upper Espaze valley, which concentrates exceptional geological and botanical richness, and the passes of the Monts d'Orb: Clares, Peyremale, Serviès... Pine trees and deer are the masters of the place.

2

Regularly near 1000 meters altitude, the route crosses many iconic passes of the Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park. It follows wide forest tracks and sometimes stony paths, offering extraordinary panoramas. Following the ridges along the border between the departments of Hérault and Aveyron, the route allows entry into the territory of the Grands Causses Regional Park, crossing the Haut-Dourdou state forest.

3

Wide forest tracks with a moderately ascending profile lead you near the highest point of Hérault: the Espinouse, which peaks at 1124 meters altitude and offers countless viewpoints: a detour is a must! Like the Agout river, which springs from these summits, the route invites you to descend into the Caroux-Espinouse state forest towards a more moderate altitude of 1000 m, or even lower toward the charming village of Cambon. Take care not to disturb the mouflons, the lords of the place!

4

The ridge crossing soon comes to an end at the Col de Fontfroide at 973 meters altitude. Overlooking the Jaur valley by nearly 800 m, you cross the Somail state forest, a major site of the Resistance during the Second World War, immortalized by the Sieyres Stele honoring the Latourette resistance group and Jean Bène. Arrival on the shores of Lake Vesoles, with the postcard-like appearance of a Quebec landscape, deserves a bucolic stop. The end of the route is generally downhill and pleasant through the Somail forest to reach La Salvetat-sur-Agoût.

5

The village of La Salvetat-sur-Agoût is incredibly charming! Overlooking a meander of the Agout, a stop on the Way of Arles to Compostela, and home to a quite exceptional charcuterie, it already has everything to please the adventurer tired from their long journey. The waters of Salvetat even provide the 'bubbles' needed to toast.

'Favorite' suggestion, in 3 stages: - Bédarieux - Serviès departmental relay: 34 km / 1000 m positive elevation gain - Serviès - Cambon: 46 km / 1300 m positive elevation gain - Cambon - La Salvetat: 27 km / 500 m positive elevation gain
Other suggestions: - in 3 days: Bédarieux / Serviès departmental relay / Fagairolles departmental relay / La Salvetat - in 2 sporty days: Bédarieux / Fagairolles relay (57 km / +1800 m) - Fagairolles - La Salvetat (50 km / +1000 m)
The route is passable most of the year: - however, avoid the summer period: you will have difficulties finding accommodation, and some forest massifs may be closed due to fire risks - in midwinter, given the altitudes of the Hérault mountains (between 100 and 1200 m), your mountain biking adventure could turn into a Nordic odyssey! - prioritize spring and autumn. The colors and lights are magical, and the temperatures more suitable!

Red MTB markers

Green signposts

+33 4 67 67 71 71

Hérault Tourism

Grande Traversée VTT-FFC