The best walks and hikes around Cers

The site is home to two main lagoons, the Maïre and the Rivièrette, which form an old arm of the Orb. You can admire large dunes, salt marshes, and sansouïres (saltwort vegetation). The Camargue seems very close with the horses and bulls that animate the landscape.

This superb strip of compact earth, by the water, makes for very fast and rolling gravel terrain for trail running, and is very pleasant for walking. Stop by the water to observe the little birds hiding in the shore bushes.

All along the way, you can observe the majestic pink flamingos, whether they are in flight or on the water. Other water birds also populate this lagoon.

The Grande Maïre educational trail allows you to enjoy this vast wetland. You will see flamingos and other wading birds, which come to take advantage of the richness of the soil to feed.

La Rivierette is a small lagoon connected to Grande Maïre by a network of canals. This wetland is home to a rich fauna of numerous birds and aquatic species.

The name “Estagnol” evokes a small pond (a name that echoes the many wetlands that characterize this part of the Hérault coast). Unfortunately, the pond is not visible from the greenway and remains hidden by vegetation. Passing here by bike, you cycle alongside one of the most famous hydraulic structures in France: the Canal du Midi, designed by Pierre-Paul Riquet in the 17th century to connect the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. In Portiragnes, the canal reaches a very low coastal plain, close to ancient ponds and wetlands. A little anecdote about the area: this geography posed a real challenge for the canal builders. In this low-lying plain, during heavy rains or floods, water could quickly accumulate. It was therefore necessary to allow excess water to cross or bypass the canal without damaging it. The engineers thus developed various hydraulic structures, notably weirs, which allow excess water to be discharged into the neighboring natural areas.

⚓ Écluse d’Arièges – Lock on the Canal du Midi The Écluse d’Arièges is another of the historic locks on the Canal du Midi, located between Villeneuve-lès-Béziers and Portiragnes. 🚲🌿 Here too, the difference in the canal's water level is compensated so that boats can continue their journey. Particularly interesting is the typical lock chamber with its massive stone walls and the now blue-painted, mechanized lock gates. 🚤 Anyone cycling along the Canal du Midi will repeatedly pass such locks. This is precisely what makes the route so interesting: you don't just ride along the water, but constantly encounter historic structures that still serve their original purpose today. A beautiful stopover on the way through the landscape between Béziers and Vias – and if a boat is currently being locked through, a short break is worthwhile anyway. 😊👌🏼 Greetings Marcus ✌🏼

⚓ Écluse de Villeneuve – Lock on the Canal du Midi The lock at Villeneuve-lès-Béziers is one of the many historical points along the Canal du Midi and a nice stopover on a bike tour along the canal. 🚲🌿 Here you can observe well how the boats overcome the difference in altitude in the canal. Close the lock gate, change the water level, and the houseboats and leisure boats continue on the Canal du Midi. 🚤 It is precisely these old locks that, for me, are part of the special charm of the canal. You cycle relaxed along the water and repeatedly encounter structures that, to this day, ensure that the Canal du Midi, which was already built in the 17th century, is still navigable. A nice place to briefly get off your bike and watch the lock operations. 👌🏼 Greetings Marcus ✌🏼