Mount Hortus
Hortus means “garden” in Latin. This major site for climbing in the Hérault is a rare gem.
Mont Hortus: a climbing garden!
Hortus means “garden” in Latin. This major site for climbing in the Hérault is a rare gem. It culminates at 520m above sea level and is located on the south face of the region’s other famous mountain, Pic Saint-Loup. Its face, 110m high and 1km wide, can be seen from all over the Montpellier region. It’s made of white limestone whose density, color and shape vary throughout the 110m climb. We encounter different geological formations along the way.
It’s a prehistoric site, as the Hortus cave was home to many generations of homo-sapiens from 60,000 to 30,000 BC. It is also a valuable site for a number of rare birds of prey, as well as a wide variety of bat species. The site is classified Natura 2000.
A number of great wines hold the “Pic Saint-Loup” appellation, and derive their strength and character from these two rock formations: the Hortus and the Pic Saint-Loup.
ON THE MENU
– Climb 110m.
– Setting up relays.
– Recall with machard.
LEVEL OF DIFFICULTY
SPORTS
Description
L’Hortus is as much a place to progress as it is to learn how to climb long routes. Its southerly aspect means it can be climbed in winter, but also in spring, to keep out the cold. It’s an ideal cliff for basking in the sun and testing the routes equipped by our local openers. Climbing here is both mentally and physically demanding, and the wilderness of the area is what makes it so special.
During a big route day, you’ll learn how to set up belays and all the safety techniques you need to know to progress towards a degree of autonomy, including abseiling with a machard.
Three great major routes to start with, which are also our Naturéo favorites: la Bidasse (5c max), la Cagne (6a max) and la Sibelle (6a+ max).
For the big routes at l’Hortus, we ask participants to have a 5b-5c level, so as to get the most out of them.
Saint-Jean-de-Buèges
The Tras Castel rock face is another of the region’s jewels that climbers love to visit.
Mont Caroux
Long route climbing is reserved for people who already have some climbing and belaying experience.
Discover our other activities
Naturéo Sport & Aventure offers a range of canyoning, via-ferratas, rando-rappel and rock-climbing courses in the Hérault and Gard departments. We cover the area from the Montpellier hinterland through the Cévennes to the Massif du Caroux…
CANYONING
VIA-FERRATA
RANDO-RAPPEL
EVENT
INSOLITE
