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 rises to 520m altitude and is located on the south face of the region’s other famous mountain, Pic Saint-Loup. Its face is visible from the entire Montpellier region, distinctive with its 110m height and 1km width. It is made of white limestone whose density, color, and shape vary throughout the 110m climb. We therefore encounter different geological formations during the ascent.
It is a prehistoric site as the Hortus cave hosted numerous generations of homo sapiens from 60,000 to 30,000 BC. It is also precious because certain rare raptor species, as well as a wide variety of bat species, come to nest there. This 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
- 110m ascent
- Setting up belay stations
- Rappelling with autoblock
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 multi-pitch climbing day, we offer instruction in setting up belay stations as well as all the safety techniques you need to know to progress toward greater autonomy, including rappelling with an autoblock.
Three beautiful 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 various canyoning, via ferrata, rappelling hikes, and rock climbing routes in Hérault and Gard. We cover the area from the Montpellier hinterland to the Caroux Massif through the Cévennes…
CANYONING
VIA FERRATA
RANDO-RAPPEL
EVENT
INSOLITE
