Saint-Maurice-Navacelles can be explored through two questions: Which hike suits your schedule, and which historic places would you like to discover? A notable landmark is the Baume Auriol viewpoint, which is located in the commune. The Site House Baume Auriol provides information about excursions on foot, on horseback, by mountain bike and by electric bike. This means the range of activities extends from hiking to other active excursions. The information at the Site House can help you first choose the type of activity that suits you before comparing individual routes.
Hiking to suit different schedules
To choose a hike based on your schedule, it is worth comparing two tours of different lengths. The Randonnée des Rajols is a moderately difficult 14 km circular hike; walking time is about 3 hours and 30 minutes. The GR® de Pays Tour du Larzac Méridional is also moderately difficult and 58 km long. It is a circular hike described as a three-day trek accessible to regular hikers. The tours therefore differ not only in length but also in the time required: one circuit with a walking time of about three and a half hours, compared with a three-day hike.
From Saint-Maurice-Navacelles, the GR® de Pays Tour du Larzac Méridional heads north towards Navacelles, following the GR 7. For choosing a route, this description complements the information about length and difficulty with a specific direction and a shared section of trail. This also helps you understand the circular route by where the described trail leads from Saint-Maurice-Navacelles.
The Randonnée des Rajols offers views of the meanders of the Vis and the Cirque de Navacelles depression. In addition to information about walking time and difficulty, the circuit therefore has a specific connection to the landscape. If you would like to choose your hike based on the views, the river meanders and the depression are two clear points of reference.
The route to the Moulins de la Foux follows a botanical trail to the mills and then crosses the Vis. One variant starts at the Baume Auriol viewpoint and follows the Chemin du Facteur; it joins the main route near the bridge over the Vis. Here, the information about the destination and route can be distinguished from that about the variant: the botanical trail leads to the mills, while the starting point and the Chemin du Facteur identify the variant described.
Historic sites and buildings
For the Château de Saint-Maurice, it is important to distinguish the date of the first castle’s mention from that of the surviving structures: the first Château was mentioned in 1280; the base of the square keep and parts of the substructures from the 14th century have survived. A keep is the main tower of a castle. Its surviving base is a specific remnant of the building, while the substructures form another surviving layer of the historic complex.
The Église de l’Assomption de Navacelles dates from the late 19th century and is located in the Cirque de Navacelles. Public access is generally restricted because of structural damage. Its construction period and location provide cultural context; bear the access restriction in mind if you visit.
The Dolmen de la Prunadère is located in the hamlet of Prunarède, also known as Prunadère. It is notable for its good state of preservation; excavations took place there in 2010. The dolmen adds another archaeological point of interest to the buildings and historic sites. Together, the château, church and dolmen offer different ways to explore the area’s history, while keeping their respective dates and visitor access conditions distinct.
Discover more destinations: Sete, Magalas, Camplong, Mireval, Rieussec, Saint-SĂ©ries, Montarnaud, Beaulieu
For the regional travel overview: HĂ©rault.
