Gorges d'Héric, Natural canyon in Hérault, France.
The Héric Gorges form a river canyon carved into granite bedrock, stretching through mountain terrain with rocky walls on both sides. Waterfalls and pools dot the landscape along a walking path that follows the water downstream.
Water carved this canyon through granite over millions of years, creating the landscape we see today. Medieval settlers built a small hamlet higher up in the valley, establishing a foothold in this remote mountain location.
The name comes from an Occitan word meaning water, reflecting how central the river has been to life in this valley. Local people have always depended on the waterway, and it shaped where communities settled and how they lived.
Access starts from a parking area near Mons-la-Trivalle and follows a marked path uphill through the valley. The terrain is rocky and can be slippery after rain, so proper footwear and careful footing are important.
The area hosts a notable population of mouflons, mountain sheep adapted to life on rocky slopes, which visitors might spot while walking. These animals are rarely seen in other French locations, making an unexpected wildlife encounter possible.
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