CYCLO LOOP N°11 - LAC DU SALAGOU AND CIRQUE DE MOURÈZE

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The loop starts in Clermont l'Hérault. Today's town is built at the foot of the imposing feudal castle (you can reach it by taking a detour up a stony path) and protected by a fortified wall. The church of Saint-Paul was built outside the walls between the 13th and 14th centuries, at which time the suburbs developed on the banks of the Rhônel and the Dominican convent (now the Espace des Pénitents) was built. At this time, after agriculture, tanning and wool processing were Clermont's main activities. In the 19th century, the textile industry declined and was replaced by winegrowing. Take a detour into Clermont, to one of the bistros on the Allées Roger Salengro, then retrace your steps to take the Avenue du Lac, the road leading to the Salagou, at the western exit. This road is particularly busy in high season, so take care.

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Climb steadily for 3 km, then leave the Avenue du Lac and turn left onto the quieter D56 to Liausson. Before you reach the village, you'll enjoy an exceptional panoramic view of the entire Lac du Salagou.

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The village of Liausson was built around an ancient castle, now the village church. Go to the church square and admire the magnificent views over the lake. You leave Liausson and head west. As you leave the village, you pass the fountain and wash-house, then the road drops straight down for about 2 km. Once at the bottom, the landscape becomes somewhat lunar... The road crosses red soil with a few vines here and there. Magnificent. Gradually you leave the shores of the lake and follow the road, in a straight line and on a downhill slope, to Salasc.

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The village of Salasc is made up of two distinct parts: the small village fort (13th-century fortified enclosure) against the church of Saint-Géniès, and the suburb that grew up outside the walls, along a very old trade route linking the Hérault plain to the Haut Cantons. The setting around the fountain in the village square is wonderfully bucolic. After Salasc, the loop heads back towards Mourèze. The secondary roads are always quiet. This time, it's quite uphill for about 1.5 km.

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The scenery changes and you find yourself surrounded by white/grey dolomitic rocks that dominate the road. Then it's downhill to Mourèze.

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Arriving in Mourèze, you're surprised by the sight of the ancient fortified castle, perched on a monumental rock, overlooking the village and its 12th-century church. Take a stroll through the village, and as you leave, put the bike down to take one of the short hiking trails, particularly at the Courtinals park, which lead to the cirque de Mourèze. You'll discover a surprising natural setting of gigantic, strangely-shaped dolomitic rocks. The limestone rocks, sculpted by erosion, create a striking ruiniform landscape populated by giant stone statues. After this must-see, you're back on the Dolomite route, which winds its way downhill.

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After about 1 km, you turn left onto a narrow road. Here, a pretty steep climb awaits you, with sections at 12%, in beautiful garrigue countryside. Then descend to join the D908.

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On the D908, we suggest a 2 km round trip to Villeneuvette, a 17th-century manufacturing village. Be careful on this stretch, and in general as far as Clermont-l'Hérault, where traffic is heavier. Once again, a magnificent site. From Villeneuvette, take the D908, which takes you after just over 3 km to Clermont-l'Hérault.

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Hérault Tourism

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