Hiking with a donkey - Between St Guilhem mountain, Vis river gorges and Larzac plateau

Hiking with a donkey - Between St Guilhem mountain, Vis river gorges and Larzac plateau

Chemin de St Jacques and trails of Larzac
5 days / 4 nights and 7 days / 6 nights

Located to the north of the Hérault department, the Seranne mountain is a real limestone barrier made up of chaos, rocky escarpments and narrow valleys. Characterized by a great diversity of landscapes, one discovers a Mediterranean type environment on its southern slope and the wide open spaces of the Larzac plateau in the North. Accompanied by a donkey, you leave with family or friends on the Way of St Jacques de Compostelle to discover and meet a backcountry rich in historical and natural heritage.
You will discover in particular the magnificent medieval village of St Guilhem le Désert, where you can visit the Abbey of Gelone (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Your hiking companion will carry your luggage and, at the end of the day, tired children. Undoubtedly, a great complicity will be born from these exchanges and will thus contribute to the success of your stay.

Trip highlights: 

- the magnificent massifs of Seranne, the Monts de St Guilhem le Désert and Larzac.

- their wild character

- the complicity between the donkey and the children

- the feeling for children to experience their "first adventure".

TYPE OF TRIP: 

 

Guided formula :

You will be accompanied by a local mountain guide (A.E.M). Knowing the massif like his pocket, he will be happy to share his passion and knowledge of the region with you.

Self guided formula :

You have an IGN card at 1/25000ème, your accommodation and meals are reserved by us.

The duration of the stages of this stay is calculated according to the rhythm of the children and donkeys (based on 3 km per hour), they require a good physical condition but do not present any major difficulties. Donkeys carry 40 kg of maximum luggage, i. e. about 1 donkey for 3 to 4 people. The reception takes place the evening before - night lodging and table d' hôtes.

Travel advisories: 

Good morning, sir,
YES we are delighted with the experience with our donkey. The girls are still talking about it and regret that this stay was so short! Moreover we didn't really manage to get lost...almost an initiatory experience!
Everything went very well. The reception of the day before was excellent, as well as in the different evening gites.
It is clear that we will do it again next year.
Marilyn and I would like to sincerely thank you for your availability and trust.
See you soon
Jean-Stéphane and the whole family

 

 

 

We had a great week! The region is magnificent, the circuit was well adapted to the level of daily distances and routes, especially in relation to children, the donkey was very docile and the people very welcoming. The mix between bed and breakfast and gîtes was also pleasant. We also appreciated the different and balanced picnics every day.
With kind regards.
Kristina

 

 

We are enchanted by our stay: radiant weather, beautiful landscapes.
The hike went very well, despite the change of donkey on the second morning (injury to a leg), Olivier was able to pick up Cadichon with his truck and put Modeste at our disposal).
Congratulations also for the logistics; no worries for the gîtes, which provided us, each time, with very copious picnics. Very good reception from them.
In the absolute, we could have walked a little longer, but in the end, with young children, it was perfect. Our daughters were also enchanted; the donkeys lent themselves without moving to their caresses and kisses.
In conclusion, a very good memory, to be repeated ...
Manuella

En direction de St Guilhem le désert
PROGRAM: 

 

You will hike through the magnificent mountain ranges of Seranne, Monts de St Guilhem le Désert and Larzac at an average rate of 10 to 15 km per day (adapted to the rhythm and physical capacities of the children).

 

Hiking 4 days : stages of 10,9,12 and 12 km for a difference in altitude: from + 100 to + 450 m. Duration of the stages: between 3 and 4 hours.

 

Hiking 6 days : stages of 10,14,17,10,10,13 and 10 km for a difference in altitude: from + 50 to + 500 m. Duration of the stages: between 4 and 6 hours.

 

Possibilities also for stays of 3 or 5 days - on request.

Please note: the proposed hiking trips are the result of a close collaboration with our partners.

For any further information on these hiking trips and details of the stages, please contact us by clicking below:

 

PERIODS

 

From April to October

 

 

Découvert de l'itinérance pédestre avec les enfants
 Pins salzmann des Monts de St Guilhem
La prestation comprend

Accommodation in gîte d' étape, bed and breakfast and local hotel
Lunchtime picnics and evening meals.
The supervision by a mountain guide *
Donkey service.
The IGN card and the topo detailed in the freedom formula.

* guided formula

La prestation ne comprend pas

Personal expenditure

Comprehensive insurance (4,5%)

COME BY TRAIN: 

We all know the impact of our car travels on the environment. Driving to the holidays location can produce a large amount of CO2 because of the long haul distance to get away...
Therefore, if low impact mobility interests you, Montpellier station, welcomes you. A bus or our minivan can take you to your accommodation.
Check your journey by train with SNCF or OUIGO and contact us for any further information.