Bellevue
Bellevue

x727 - Bikepacking in Hérault, south of France

Distance
Distance
600/1,070 km
Dénivelé
Total ascent
9,000/18,000 m
Portage
Hike
0.5 %
Altitude
High point
1 074 m
Asphalte
Asphalt
25 %
Singles
Singletrack
18 %

On the French Mediterranean coast, the Hérault department is unique, due to its geology, biodiversity, and topography. Taking a mountain bike tour of Hérault will guarantee constantly changing landscapes and beautiful sights. Between beaches and mountains, lagoons and lakes, garrigues and forests, the route traverses the Haut Languedoc and Grands Causses regional parks, the southern edge of the Cévennes and Larzac, which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. Two loops compose the x727, the external is the 727 (600 km/370 mi), the internal the i727 (470 km/300 mi). If you like ultra-long distances, you can start with a 727 and continue with the i727. If you prefer gravel, go for the g727 (727 km/450 mi).

A grand depart takes place the first weekend of April. Join us >>>

The 727 plays with the border of the Hérault department, mostly staying within the department, sometimes crossing the border of the neighboring departments (Aude, Tarn, Aveyron, Gard). The i727 is shorter but harder. Both loops minimize asphalt, favor singletracks and double track forest roads, cross picturesque villages, and offer breathtaking views.

x727 map
x727 map

On the x727, you will discover historical sites and grandiose panoramas. Traditional patisseries, bakeries, restaurants and cafes are hidden in almost all the villages crossed. Campsites and wild areas punctuate the route, as well as hotels and guest houses. During the warm days, it is often possible to swim in the sea, lagoons, lakes and rivers. Less than a day away from bustling French cities you will feel like an explorer in the middle of nowhere.

The x727 route is distributed under a free license by Thierry Crouzet. He maintains the route for the pleasure of bikepacking in his native region with his friends and to share his love for Hérault, one of the most picturesque departments in France.

Note: The route is called 727, or 7 to 7, because it originally started and looped back to Sète, a city whose name sounds exactly like the number 7 in French. The start and finish were moved a short distance away, to Poussan, a medieval village, which is more convenient for parking and offers many singletracks on its outskirts. In any case, you can see Sète floating above the Thau Lagoon, both at the start and at the finish. The city worth a visit.

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Sur la plage
Sur la plage
2 / 82
Sète
Sète
3 / 82
Vendres
Vendres
4 / 82
5 / 82
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Capestang
Capestang
7 / 82
Canal du Midi
Canal du Midi
8 / 82
Canal du Midi
Canal du Midi
9 / 82
La pinède
La pinède
10 / 82
À vélo
À vélo
11 / 82
Bize
Bize
12 / 82
Minervois
Minervois
13 / 82
Arthur dans ses œuvres
Arthur dans ses œuvres
14 / 82
Homps
Homps
15 / 82
Canal du Midi
Canal du Midi
16 / 82
Pépieux
Pépieux
17 / 82
Chapelle Notre-Dame du Cros
Chapelle Notre-Dame du Cros
18 / 82
Caunes
Caunes
19 / 82
Montagne noire
Montagne noire
20 / 82
Montagne Noire
Montagne Noire
21 / 82
Montagne noire
Montagne noire
22 / 82
Montagne noire
Montagne noire
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Montagne noire
Montagne noire
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Montagne noire
Montagne noire
26 / 82
Lac de Vézoles
Lac de Vézoles
27 / 82
Carroux
Carroux
28 / 82
Mélagues
Mélagues
29 / 82
Serviès
Serviès
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Avène
Avène
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Avène à VTT
Avène à VTT
32 / 82
Monts-d'Orb
Monts-d'Orb
33 / 82
Lodévois
Lodévois
34 / 82
Fôret d'Estandorgues
Fôret d'Estandorgues
35 / 82
Larzac
Larzac
36 / 82
Larzac
Larzac
37 / 82
Larzac
Larzac
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Gorges de la Vis
Gorges de la Vis
39 / 82
La descente
La descente
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Vallée de la Buège
Vallée de la Buège
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Hortus et pic Saint-Loup
Hortus et pic Saint-Loup
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Résurgence de la Buèges
Résurgence de la Buèges
43 / 82
Pégairolles-de-Buèges
Pégairolles-de-Buèges
44 / 82
Saint-Jean-de-Buèges
Saint-Jean-de-Buèges
45 / 82
Pont sur la Buèges
Pont sur la Buèges
46 / 82
Brissac
Brissac
47 / 82
Brissac
Brissac
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Brissac, le parc
Brissac, le parc
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Ganges
Ganges
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Ganges
Ganges
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Ganges
Ganges
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Pompignan
Pompignan
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Gué
Gué
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Saint Sériès
Saint Sériès
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Ambrussum
Ambrussum
56 / 82
Aigues-Mortes
Aigues-Mortes
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Palavas
Palavas
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Gardiole
Gardiole
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Béssilles
Béssilles
60 / 82
L'étendoir des fées
L'étendoir des fées
61 / 82
Castelneau-de-Guers
Castelneau-de-Guers
62 / 82
Un poil de technique
Un poil de technique
63 / 82
Dans une sculpture
Dans une sculpture
64 / 82
Vers Saint-Chinian
Vers Saint-Chinian
65 / 82
Minerve
Minerve
66 / 82
Pardailhan
Pardailhan
67 / 82
Saint-Étienne-d’Albagnan
Saint-Étienne-d’Albagnan
68 / 82
Olargues
Olargues
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Le Salagou
Le Salagou
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Le Salagou
Le Salagou
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Salagou
Salagou
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Vers le mont Saint-Baudille
Vers le mont Saint-Baudille
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Le pic Saint-Loup
Le pic Saint-Loup
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Le cirque
Le cirque
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Sentier des Fenestrelles
Sentier des Fenestrelles
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Sentier des Fenestrelles
Sentier des Fenestrelles
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Sentier des Fenestrelles
Sentier des Fenestrelles
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Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert
79 / 82
Gorges de l'Hérault
Gorges de l'Hérault
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Lavogne
Lavogne
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Hortus et pic Saint-Loup
Hortus et pic Saint-Loup
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Claret
Claret

Maps/GPX

Highlights

  • Medieval towns and villages: Bizes-en-Minervois, Caunes-Minervois, Minerve, Olargues, Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert and Aigues-Mortes are among the most beautiful cities in France, with narrow streets, houses made of old stone, hidden squares.

  • Historical sites and monuments: Canal du Midi, abbey of Caunes, abbey of Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, Roman ruins of Ambrussum.

  • Grandiose panoramas: Vézoles Jump, Orb Valley, Vis Canyon, Buèges Valley, Salagou Lake (one of the most famous MTB spot in France).

  • Old singletracks: some of them date back to Roman times or the Middle Ages and are carved in the cliff.

  • Pézenas is a wonderful baroque town with excellent patisseries and bakeries. Don’t miss the petits pâtés.

  • La Saveltat sur Agout: famous for its fountain of eternal youth, its charcuteries and patisseries.

  • Escandorgue Forest: a magic place with ancient oaks and a sweeping view up to the Salagou Lake and the sea.

  • Larzac: It’s a plateau not flat at all, wild and mind-blowing, with a fantastic view on the Vis Canyon.

  • Wine: vineyards are all around the coastal area.

Must know

  • Getting there: Poussan is located near exit 33 on the A9 motorway, 11 km/7 mi from the SNCF train station in Sète (download the bike route). It is possible to park for free in the center of the village on the Promenade du 8 mai 1945, or in front of the sports complex, or in the parking lot of the collège Via Domitia. On Boulevard Riverain, bikepackers can meet at the Grand Café Beau Séjour (open from 6:30 am to 8:00 pm, closed on Monday and Sunday afternoons). Otherwise, the Saint-Roch train station in Montpellier is 6 km from the route, the new TGV Sud station and the airport are 6 km away. The Béziers train station is 8 km from Vendres or Lespignan which are on the route.

  • When to ride: The x727 is ridable all year round, except for a few winter days when the peaks of the Espinouse and the Larzac plateau are snow-covered. In summer, the heat can be suffocating, it is better to ride very early and very late. Spring and autumn are the ideal seasons. The second half of May is extraordinary.

  • The weather is generally good in the Hérault, with little precipitation, but we are not under the tropics. We had snow in early April 2022 in the mountains (very abnormal conditions). On the heights of the Espinouse and Larzac, temperatures can drop below freezing at night between October and April.

  • The rideability is good, but the route can’t be ridden at breakneck speed. There are many singletracks, with sometime roots and rocks, and technical sections. The asphalt roads are old or small. Count at least five days for each loop. Two weeks will be better for a complete x727.

  • To ride this route we recommend a mountain bike with a suspension fork and at least 2.0 tubeless tires.

  • Both loops are planned to be ridden clockwise, as the opposite direction would include many steep and long hike-a-bike sections.

  • Mobile coverage is good, even in the mountains.

  • Always have cash on hand, as some stores do not accept credit cards.

  • If you come across a herd of sheep on the Larzac or elsewhere, don’t walk right through it even if the trail leads you that way but instead navigate around the herd without disturbing the animals. Makes one happy shepherd.

Camping

  • Wild camping isn’t officially allowed in France but generally tolerated. People are open towards bikepackers, as long as you #leavenotrace and stay clear of protected and delicate areas. Many nice potential wild camping spots are located on the Google Map.

  • Accommodation: Being a touristic area, there are plenty of B&Bs, hotels and fully equipped camping areas all along the route.

Food/H20

  • Water isn’t an issue as you regularly come across small towns and villages, which all have public drinking fountains. Unless it’s clearly marked with a sign stating ‘NON POTABLE’ all water coming out of a tap is safe to drink. Due to the relatively hot climate, we recommend the capacity of carrying at least 1.5L on your bike. Fountains are located on the Google Map.

  • Food can be an issue in the north. On the 727, finding an open store between La Bastide Rouairoux (km 205) and Le Caylar (km 360) can be hard on Sundays, notably in the afternoon. In any case, there are no stores between La Salvetat (km 234) and Ceilhes (km 286). Carrying at least one day of food for this slow-going stretch is recomanded. Stores are located on the Google Map.

  • Most small and medium-sized supermarkets close during lunchtime. Those hours can vary, but usually tend to span from 12:00 – 4:00 PM. Shops in France are generally closed on Sunday afternoons.

Resources (thx Google translate)