Around Le Capelan

Description

A pretty hike in the garrigue (Mediterranean scrubland), through a handsome strawberry tree grove, with striking views. Signposts will guide you all along this route. In the description below, the signposted place names and/or directions are given in bold italics between quotation marks : Start in Anduze by the Mairie (town hall). - Walk to “Fontaine Pradier”. - Continue to “La Cabanisse”. - Turn right to “Montaigu”. - Go downhill to “Chemin de l’Olivier”. - Take on the left the path uphill to “L’olivier”. - Walk through the hamlet towards “Sous le Capélan”. Optional there-and-back to the summit of “Les Capélans” beautiful views. (Caution : path on edge of cliff). - From “Sous le Capélan” continue on the track to “L’Aiguille”. - Continue to “Panissière”. - Leave the track for an uphill path on the right to “Col de Panissière”. - Uphill to “Dolmens de La Pallières”. - Reach “Dolmen de Panissière”. - Then walk downhill to “Sous le Dolmen”. - Go to “La croix de Pallières” x2. - Continue to “Traviargues” x2. - Go downhill to “Le Poulveret”. - Turn left to “La Cabanisse”. - Return to Anduze via “Fontaine Pradier”. This hike is taken from the guidebook Cévennes et vallées du Gardon, autour d’Anduze et Saint-Jean-du-Gard, published by the Agglomération d’Alès as part of the collection Espaces Naturels Gardois and the label Gard Pleine Nature.

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• Make sure your equipment is appropriate for the day’s weather conditions. Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Take enough water, wear sturdy shoes and put on a hat. Caution : at the summit of Le Capelan, the path runs at the edge of the cliff !

Getting there

Start: Anduze (mairie), Anduze (30).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/98813-Autour-du-Capelan). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 537 m, Parc national des Cévennes