Chalet de l'Aigle and Pic Cassini, Trail #19.

Description

Panoramic views over the Cévennes, ascent of Pic Cassini, a stroll through an enchanted forest... This is a flamboyant trail, 100% joy. A pleasant wooded section to start off, to the Col du Pré de la Dame pass. Then 3 km of gentle climbi on a pretty forestry track leads you to the Chalet de l'Aigle. Superb viewpoint over the Cévennes. A slightly steeper climb takes you to the top of Pic Cassini, at 1,680 metres the highest point on this trail. The route then goes gently downhill on magnificent paths. You finish on a trail in a fairy-tale forest. Follow the waymarks for trail #19. 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: From "Mas de La Barque" head towards: - “Les Écuries de Mas de La Barque”, - “Rochers de la Barque”, - “Gardione” (2x), - “Sous la roche fendue”, - “La roche fendue”, - “Lous Felzillas”. Then - “Sous le chalet de l’Aigle" and - “Chalet de l’Aigle”. Climb “Pic Cassini” via: - “col de l’Aigle”. - At “Pic Cassini” go to “Mas de La Barque” via: - “Ravin de la Levade”, - “Sous le pic de Cassini”, - “Malpertus”, - “Bois de Bellecoste”, - “Gardièze”, - “Martelet”, and “Mas de La Barque”. This trail is taken from the guidebook Mont Lozère, Pays des sources, published by the Pôle de pleine nature du ont Lozère.

Difficulty

Official rating: very easy, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• Caution: there may be patous (livestock guard dogs) around Pic Cassini! Seek advice on how to behave near these dogs from tourist offices and National Park information centres. 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: Mas de la Barque, Vialas (48).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/74886-Chalet-de-l-Aigle-et-Pic-Cassini---Trail-n19). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 493 m, Parc national des Cévennes