From Le Bosc to the Valat de Merlanson

Description

Livestock farming, market gardening, meadows and chestnut orchards lie on different levels from the valley floor to the heights of the village. 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: Starting from "BEZ-ET-ESPARON" follow/ - "Le Merlanson" then - "Lasalle" to reach "Le col d’Esparon". From there, you can visit "ESPARON" with its chapel and panoramic view (then retrace your steps). - From "Le col d’Esparon" walk to - "NOTRE-DAME DE BEZ" with an optional there-and-back to see the statue of the Virgin and views. Return to the signpost "Notre-Dame de Bez" and go downhill to "BEZ-ET-ESPARON". This walk is taken from the guidebook Les Vallées Cévenoles - En Pays Viganais, published by the Communauté de communes Pays Viganais-Cévennes 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. Take enough water, wear sturdy shoes and put on a hat. Please close all gates and barriers behind you.

Getting there

Start: Bez et Esparon, Bez-et-Esparon (30).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/74874-Du-Bosc-au-valat-de-Merlason). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 469 m, Parc national des Cévennes