In Cabrières, hiking trails through vineyards and garrigue meet traces of a long local history. When planning your trip, it is worth looking at the specific differences between the routes: they range from an easy two-and-a-half-hour hike to a moderately difficult four-hour outing.
Hikes among vineyards and garrigue
The Sentier des Mines is an easy 7-kilometre circular hike that takes 2 hours 30 minutes. The trail passes through forests, vineyards and garrigue, and traces the history of Cabrières from prehistoric times to the present day. It thus combines landscape and local history in a single outing.
The Oenorando® des Crêtes de Vissou is longer, at 12 kilometres and four hours, and is described as a moderately difficult circular hike. From the village, it passes through vineyards and garrigue to the cliffs of Pic de Vissou. Compared directly with the Sentier des Mines, it adds five kilometres and an hour and a half; its difficulty rating is also different. These figures can help you weigh up the two hikes based on the time you have available and the distance you want to cover. Check the route conditions before setting out.
There is also a mountain-bike loop: “Cabrières et les ruines de Tiberet” is 13 kilometres long, takes two hours and has a moderate difficulty level. This offers a separate, shorter time option on a bike alongside the hikes. Conditions on this route may change, so it is advisable to check before setting off.
Pic de Vissou and viewpoints
Pic de Vissou rises 480 metres above Cabrières’ vineyards. The panorama from Vissou stretches across the Hérault département and beyond; the peak is used for hiking and paragliding. The area around Pic de Vissou covers 1,208 hectares and was classified by decree on 26 March 2002.
Another hiking route leads to Château de Cabrières. There, the remains of a cistern, a defensive wall and the base of a tower are visible. The route also reaches a summit platform at an altitude of 293 metres, offering views of Pic de Vissou and the village of Cabrières. No route duration or difficulty level is given here for this outing, so do not plan it using the timings provided for the two circular hikes described above.
Numerous fossils and Palaeolithic remains can also be found at Pic de Vissou. This makes the area an interesting subject for anyone interested in nature, geology and prehistory. Another natural feature is La source de l’Estabel: the spring is intermittent, and its waterfall flows only exceptionally rarely.
History and culture in Cabrières
The Sentier des Mines offers a glimpse into the history of Cabrières from prehistoric times to the present day. The Caveau muséographique des Vignerons focuses on the medieval history of Cabrières, the geology of the Monts de Cabrières, archaeology and copper metallurgy. A visit can be followed by a tasting of the cuvées presented by the winegrowers; check the current visitor information in advance.
The Église Saint-Martin in Les Crozes has been classified as a historic monument since a decree dated 30 December 1980. The oldest document mentioning the church dates from 990—a date of its earliest mention, not its construction. The former fortress of Cabrières is also part of local history: on the orders of the Duke of Montmorency, it was finally demolished in 1585.
In the Cabrières wine cellar, the Galerie photo des schistes presents temporary themed exhibitions, renewed every three months. Together with the museum and historic sites, it broadens the perspective on Cabrières with changing exhibition themes.
A practical travel reference
The CABRIERES – COOPERATIVE bus stop is less than a ten-minute walk from the Oenorando® route and is served by the Clermont L’Hérault–Fontès lines. If you plan to use this connection, check the timetable before departure.
Discover more destinations: Alignan-Du-Vent, Saint-Geniès-des-Mourgues, Sete, Olargues, Lespignan, Joncels, Servian, Aniane.
Go to the regional travel overview: Hérault.
