Gourdouze

Description

This loop starts with a steep climb before exploring the landscape of Mont Lozère along the southern border of the plateau. This hike explores the old Mont Lozère mountain range, across broom heaths, on cobblestone paths, and through a landscape of evocatively shaped granite blocks, and especially a geological curiosity, the rocks of Trenze. 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: Climb to “Gourdouze” via - “La Gendarmerie”, - “Rompidou”. - At “Gourdouze” continue straight ahead towards - “La Chassalde”. Then take the right to - “La Jasse d’Olibou”. At “La Jasse d’Olibou” take the right towards - “Les Sources”: you are passing above the rocks of Trenze. At “Les Sources”, make for “Nojaret, Ancienne école” via - “Lous Pradous”, - “Lou Garadou”, - “Nojaret Haut” and - "Nojaret-Ancienne école". Return to “Vialas” via - “Prat de la Peyre”, - “Le Crépon”, “Fontaine de Foirail”. This walk is taken from the guidebook Massif de l’Aigoual, published by the communauté de communes Causses Aigoual Cévennes as part of the collection Espaces naturels gardois and the label Gard Pleine Nature.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• For experienced hikers. Considerable elevation gain. Steep section after the rocks of Trenze. Hike not to be undertaken in fog. 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. Please close all gates and barriers behind you. Access to the ridges of the rocks of Trenze prohibited for mountain-bikes.

Getting there

Start: Dans la rue commerçante de Vialas, avant l'église, ruelle à gauche, Vialas (48).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/41008-Gourdouze). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 960 m, Parc national des Cévennes