For this roadtrip, I'm heading for Hérault, my destination for 3 days and 2 nights. On the agenda, a bit of hiking to contemplate the magnificent landscapes of the Occitanie region and do a bit of sport at the same time. During my roadtrips, I'm always accompanied by my trusty Peugeot Kangoo and the kit ludospace 2-seater 1st generation version.

For my first day, I decided to explore Lake Salagou situated at an altitude of over 140 metres, it is often compared to Mars because of the red rocks that have surrounded it for over 270 million years.

With a surface area of 750 hectares, the lake is the largest body of water in the Hérault department, stretching over 7 km. 

For my part, I only covered part of the lake and then headed for my next spot. 

But if you've got the time and energy, you can hike all the way around the lake, for a total of 26 km of varied scenery.

After this short hike, I joined the Mount Redon not far from Lake Salagou and close to the village of Ponteix. 

After enjoying the pretty view, it was already time for me to find a place to spend the night.

For this first night, I set up in the Peupliers parking lot, very close to Lac de Salagou. What's really convenient is that parking is completely free, and you can park all around the lake to enjoy the sublime scenery.

The Pont du diable Aniane is a must-see if you're ever in the area! 

After a night in the Peupliers parking lot, I head for the pont du diable Aniane 30 minutes away by car. For parking, there's an adjoining parking lot about 20 minutes' walk away. The Devil's Bridge Aniane is over 50m long and connects Aniane to St-Jean de Jos .  Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Devil's Bridge is also a Monument Historique. For warmer days, there's a beach ideal for swimming.

For other activities, I suggest you visit the Clamouse cave classified by the French Ministry of Ecology, this is a must-see in the Occitanie region. Open from mid-February to mid-November, you'll be accompanied by a guide who'll give you plenty of explanations about the different landscapes you'll be able to see. At a cost of €13.90 per adult, this guided tour of the cave is perfect for a cool summer getaway.

Small + The Clamouse cave is currently celebrating its 60th anniversary, with a host of exhibitions and activities focusing on this iconic site.

To reach this region, I strongly advise you to take the small country roads, as nature is absolutely incredible and so are the panoramas! We came across numerous flocks of sheep and horses enjoying the mountains and their abundant grass. The road is narrow at times, so be careful if you have a large vehicle, but it passes without a hitch if you're careful. There's a real sense of adventure as you drive along these narrow roads!

"There's nothing like a hike in the mountains to recharge your batteries".