Roquandouire Gateway Trails 2026
- Next event : Sun, May 24, 2026Date confirmed
The event in a few words
Tired of not challenging yourself amidst French terrains? ⛰️ If you're ready, join us at Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare, for a trail that will help remedy all that 🎉. The Trail des Portails is organized by Lézitrail 34 and offers you 3 different distances, as well as a hike for the more reasonable! 😎 A little sporty getaway in Occitanie, on the slopes of the Massif Central, definitely not to be missed 😌. Moreover, everything is set for a great time, because with a race held in May, unless with bad luck ❌, the weather will be on your side! ☀️ For more motivation, the 3 trails allow you to earn UTMB index points 🙃. You'll have mountains, forests, panoramic views, and small villages. In short, everything is set for you to come and register! 😄
Ready to open the gateway to your next victory? In any case, we're ready to see you succeed 👌. So start packing your gear, meanwhile, we'll explain the program. We start gently (well, that's a matter of perspective… 😬), 15 km on the outskirts of the town, with 800 mD+. "La Roquandouïre" will obviously be on your path; you'll pass the Portail de Roquandouïre, as well as the Serre des More and the Gorges de Cours. Along with all that, 20 UTMB index points are validated, 20/20 brings back memories? 🧑🏫 The same validation, but this time, we go up a notch with "Les Toits de l’Hérault", given its name, better not be afraid of heights… 🫨 Here, 27 km and twice the elevation gain, totaling 1,800 mD+ 📈. It's starting to be a nice tour in the region! And for the last course, as its name suggests, beware 🙌, because this isn't a walk in the park… 🤪 "La Méfie-Toits" will take you to the roof of the department, over 54 km. Heights mean elevation, so this trail gives you 3,400 mD+. There, you deserve a nice reward ⭐️, so this time, 50 UTMB index points will be awarded. Honestly, it's well-deserved considering the performance you're going to deliver 😉. Otherwise, we know a hike is also very pleasant and naturally, one is planned. "La Lézirando" is 15 km with 600 mD+, yes it’s quite a walk, but given the route and the landscapes 🏞️, you won’t regret it.
To nicely wrap up your adventure, we offer you a tour of the surrounding area 🗺️. Because exercising is great, but a little rest is also nice 👌. Being right in the middle of nature, disconnection is planned. Start with a tour of the village of Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare, with its river and stream nearby 🍀, offers a lovely walk. Being part of the Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park, nothing will be more perfect than strolling through the surrounding forests 🌳 and enjoying the fresh mountain air. Three turns of the wheel and a 35-minute drive 🚗 are enough to reach one of the villages classified among "The Most Beautiful Villages of France" 🇫🇷. Olargues, no, we’re not telling you to dump your girlfriend, just come visit 🤣. With its beautiful cobblestone streets, you’ll also discover the Pont du Diable 😈 (truly this town has peculiar names…). To continue the natural ambiance, 1 hour north of the town lies the Lac d’Avène 🪷. An ideal spot for a peaceful picnic, with a truly beautiful view. It's time to fill your belly 😛 and doing so with local dishes is even better. Melting cheese mixed with mashed potatoes, ring a bell? 🥔 Yes, a good aligot, hot and comforting. Serve that with some local cold cuts, it doesn’t get much better ⭐️.
Come on, book your weekend, and head to the region around the Massif Central for a trail that promises to be magnificent 💖.
4 reasons to join this race
A distance for every taste
52 kmTOP
25 km
15 km
- Sun, May 24, 2026
- Elevation gain : 3400mD+
A few more words
In addition to a demanding and quite long course, don't forget to set your alarm ⏰, because the start is quite early, 6 am is not for everyone!
Start at the square, on the Quai de Saint-Gervais sur Mare 📍. Head to the ruins of Château de Neyran, before following the GR653, then a PR (Promenades and Hikes) to the Col de la Mècle ⛰️. So far, it's been easy going, we agree, but here we come to the first climbs, for a good 5 kilometers 🔥. The guiding PR will be rocky and challenging, so keep your eyes open 👀, and place your feet carefully. Passing through the ridges, you'll reach Mont Marcou and be careful of the technicality of these passages ‼️, you don't want to get injured right at the start...
To reach the 15th kilometer, in other words the major refreshment stop 🍎, you'll take a nice descent to Saint-Denis de Varensal and Andabre. A surprise to continue 🎁, a timed climb awaits you! The climb Saint Eutrope, warm up your thighs 🦵 and go for it full blast! Once arrived, you'll descend the Serre de Majous to reach the gate of Roquandouire.
Arriving at the gate via the GR path, turn right 👉 and head to the hamlet of Caissenols and climb to the Col de l’Ourtigas, for a good refreshment 🍌. Here we go again for another round and heading to the Massif du Caroux 🧭. A next PR, known for its beauty, will guide you to the hamlet of Heric. Starting to feel tired? 🧐 No problem, after passing Douch and Fage (yes, they are villages not just syllables), the Col de la Madalane offers you a good break 😮💨.
Only 10 km left to go! We start slowly with a descent 📉 on a Roman road that takes you to Cours le Haut, before tackling the last climb. Last but not least 🚨, along the Gorges you will run and arrive at the foot of the Serre des Mores, you'll give it your all and descend directly to the finish line! 🎉
Complete overview: 52 km and 3,400 mD+, oh yes, well done to you! 👏
- Sun, May 24, 2026 at 8:00 AM ➜ 5/24/2026
- Elevation gain : 1800mD+
A few more words
A trail in the mountain, all the fans love it 🤪. Here we offer you 27 km and 1,800 mD+ on a quite demanding course ⚠️.
Start at the Quai de Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare square. Head towards the ruins of Château de Neyran 🏰, before following the GR653, then a PR (Promenades et Randonnées) up to Col de la Mèche 🔥. So far, it was easy we agree, but now we reach the first climbs, for a good 5 kilometers 💪. The PR guiding you will be rocky and lively, leading you to Mont Marcou, via ridges ⛰️, so be careful with the technicality of these passages.
To reach the 15th kilometer, in other words, the big refreshment stop 🍫, you'll take a nice descent to Saint-Geniès-de-Varensal and Andabre 📉. Surprise, to start again, a timed climb awaits you! ⏱️ The climb St Eutrope, let's warm up the thighs and go full throttle! ⚡️ Once there, we descend the Serre de Majous to reach the gateway to Roquandouire.
You might think it's over, but no! On to the final climb 🎉, the Serre des Mores, which you will promptly descend to reach the finish line! 🌈
- Sun, May 24, 2026
- Elevation gain : 800mD+
A few more words
15 km, no more or less, with 800 m elevation gain, it's set to be a loaded hike 💪.
The start is in the center of the village of Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare. After crossing its small town center 🌆, you'll have to climb up to the ruins of the Château de Neyran 🏰. Following the trail of the GR653, you'll then head to the Col de la Mècle. Once you reach the village of Mècle, already 1/3 of the route is completed ✅, but the challenges begin. The ascent comes into play for the next 5 kilometers on the Col de la Devèse 🙌. No complaining, it's time for the descent with a guaranteed reward, as refreshments are provided at the bottom 🍏.
We continue full of energy for the rest, with two options for different paths 🛣️. Either you choose the orange markers 🟠, leading to the Portail de Roquandouire. To get there, be careful, there are many rocks 🪨 and the climb is inevitable! At the top, more choices: the markers or the PR (Promenades and Hikes) to reach the finish. Otherwise, after the refreshments, you follow the GR routes 🥾, heading back to Saint-Gervais by taking the Saint James's Way ✨.
In any case, the goal is to get to the destination safely, so don't worry, your choices are not dangerous 😉, the undecided, your stress can ease 🧘.
- Sun, May 24, 2026 at 10:00 AM ➜ 5/24/2026
- Elevation gain : 800mD+
A few more words
15 km not one more or less and 800 mD+, it’s a well-loaded trail that's looming 💪.
The departure is from the center of the village of Saint-Gervais-sur-Mare. After crossing its small town center 🌆, you will need to climb towards the ruins of the Château de Neyran 🏰. Following the paths of the GR653, you will head to the Col de la Mècle. Once you reach the village of Mècle, already 1/3 of the route is completed ✅, but the challenges begin. The elevation gain welcomes you, for the next 5 kilometers up to the Col de la Devèse 🙌. Stop complaining, it's time for the descent with guaranteed reward, as a refreshment stand is planned at the bottom 🍏.
We head back in full spirit for the next part, to go to the Portail de Roquandouire 🔥. To get there, beware, there are many rocks and the climb imposes itself! 📈 But it's not over, it climbs again to conquer the Serre des More (not super welcoming we agree… 🫠) and descend immediately. Back on a PR (Promenades and Hikes), it will lead you to Cours le Haut, Compeyre, and finallly Saint-Gervais, for the finish 🏁.
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