Courniou – Cave, Capitelles and Hiking Trails

For a stay in Courniou, you can choose from a range of interests: the Grotte de la Fileuse de Verre, historical landmarks, and hiking trails with distinct landscape themes. If you are looking for a hotel for this trip, these themes provide a starting point for deciding which excursions to plan.

The cave, its discovery and the church

The Grotte de la Fileuse de Verre was discovered in 1886 during work on the former railway line. It is the only publicly accessible cave in the Parc Naturel Régional du Haut-Languedoc; opening arrangements may vary. Check visiting options in advance. Its character is defined in part by extraordinary, striking mineral formations. The Espace de découverte du monde souterrain and its 3D room complement a visit to the cave. The Church of Notre-Dame de Courniou was also built in 1692. Together, the church and the discovery of the cave mark two points in the history of the village.

The Capitelles and their historic trail

The Sentier des Capitelles focuses on another chapter of the area’s heritage. Most of the Capitelles along the trail date from the first half of the 19th century. A visitor information leaflet describes the trail’s 13 stops. Allow more than an hour to walk it. The duration gives you a concrete basis for planning your day; together with the stops, it helps you consider the trail as a distinct activity. If you want to explore not only the cave but also historic routes in Courniou, this offers a focus in its own right.

Hiking trails with different themes

Lo Camin Nòstre is a hiking trail in Prouilhe. It passes through a beech forest, leads to former slate quarries and reaches the remains of the former Roucan colony. A different focus is offered by the purpose-built trail on the Devèze limestone plateau, where you can discover flora that favours dry, stony and sunny ground. You can therefore choose between two specific interests: woodland and traces of past land use on Lo Camin Nòstre, or plant life adapted to its surroundings on the Devèze. You can give these themes particular weight when planning your excursions.

The Passapaïs as a longer route

As a non-motorised route option, the Voie Verte du Haut-Languedoc Passapaïs is on a different scale from the themed hiking trails. It is 75 kilometres long and runs from Bédarieux to Mazamet, offering the option of travelling by bicycle, on foot or on horseback, for example. If you include the route in your plans, check local conditions in advance, as they may change.

Lo Camin Nòstre and the Devèze trails differ primarily in their themes. First decide what you want to shape your stay, then compare hotels according to your own requirements.

Discover more destinations: Usclas-D'hérault, Saint-Just, Servian, Brissac, La Trivalle, Cournonsec, Saturargues, Campagne

Go to the main travel overview: Hérault.