Around Le Mazel, #15

Description

Plunge into the rural calm of the north slope of Mont Lozère and set foot on the famous Stevenson Trail. Signposts will guide you all along this route: follow the waymarks for trail #15 The trail starts with the descent to the village of Le Bleymard. The first stretch is on a narrow path in the forest, the second on the famous Stevenson Trail. You then take the GR® 44 and GR®68 long-distance hiking paths uphill to Le Cayre, before following the road for 1 kilometre to reach the charming hamlet of Le Mazel. There you fork onto a small path through the forest that leads you back to the Station, via Malavieille. The ascent is quite long but regular, no particular difficulty. Follow the waymarks for trail #15. Signposts will guide you all along this route, as well as yellow painted waymarks. In the description below, the signposted place names and/or directions are given in bold italics between quotation marks: Depart from “Station du mont Lozère”, go down to “Eglise du Bleymard” via: - “La Massola”, - “le bois de Neyrac”, - “Col Santel”. - At "Eglise du Bleymard" we go back to "Station du mont Lozère" via - "Le Cayre", - "La Cham". This hike is taken from the guidebook Mont Lozère, Pays des sources, de la montagne du Goulet aux gorges du Bramont, published by the Pôle de pleine nature du Mont Lozère.

Difficulty

Official rating: easy, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• The summit is often windy, don’t forget your windcheater. Do not attempt this trail during dense fog or strong winds. Be particularly vigilant when there is snow and/or fog. Before committing yourself to a circuit, ensure that it is suitable for your activity level and ability. Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Please close all gates and barriers behind you. Stay on the marked path.

Getting there

Start: Station du Mont-Lozère, Cubières (48).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/74862-Autour-du-Mazel---Trail-n15). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 539 m, Parc national des Cévennes