Around Pic du Cassini, MTB circuit #11 (black)

Description

This classic loop between the upper Tarn valley and the north face of Mont Lozère is difficult because of its length. Follow the MTB markup n°11 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 : Two possible departure points : D1 (Mas de la Barque) or D2 (Col de Finiels) Starting from “Mas de La Barque”, D1, take the D66 road, then continue to : - “Lous Felzillas”, - “Sous le chalet de l’Aigle”, - “Chalet de l’Aigle”. Continue on the track to “Col de Finiels”, D2, via : - “Le Grand Clapier”, - “Route forestière”, - “La Peyre Plantade”, - “Louzero de Broussous”, - “Ancienne Voie Romaine”. - “Col de Finiels”. From the pass, go downhill on the D20 for 1.5 km, then take the track on the left to : - “Salarial”, - “L’Hôpital”. At “L’Hôpital”, return to “Mas de la Barque” via : - “Prat Redoun”, - “Pont de Camargues”, - “Mas Camargues”, - “Bellecoste”, - “La Planette”, - “Sénégrière”, - “Martelet”. Return to “Mas de La Barque”. This MTB circuit is taken from the guidebook Mont Lozère, Pays des sources, Sommet des Cévennes, published by the Pôle de pleine nature du Mont Lozère.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• No off-roading.
• Caution : There may be livestock guard dogs (patous) in the area. Seek advice on how to behave near these dogs from tourist offices and National Park information centres.
• You are strongly encouraged to wear a helmet. Do not forget your repair kit and a small tool kit. Slow down in hamlets.

Getting there

Start: Mas de La Barque, Pont de Montvert - Sud Mont Lozère (48).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/94999-Autour-du-Cassini---VTT-n11). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 673 m, Parc national des Cévennes