La Chadenède, The Monks

Description

The path climbs steeply inside a mini cirque to the feet of the monoliths known as The Monks. These three rocks bear witness to the sinking of the Tarn river millions of years ago. There are superb views onto the valley and the villages that stretch along the Tarn or above it, like Montbrun. From the small car park, take the lane that goes uphill between the houses. The path starts up the slope, passes in front of a cistern and continues to a junction. - Take, on the left, the steep climb until it cuts across a small ravine. Continue up the rather vertiginous steps until you reach a flat area at the foot of the monoliths. The path continues uphill in hairpin bends through the beech forest, until it comes out on the Causse plateau. - As you arrive on the plateau, turn left and follow the faint track that runs along the edge of the Causse. Go slightly downhill to a basin to reach an intersection with a more marked path. - Turn left onto this built track (low walls and, in places, stone slabs) and follow it downhill onto the Montbrun road. - Turn left onto the road and walk to the intersection before Montbrun bridge. - At the bridge, continue straight ahead towards the hamlet of La Chadenède and your departure point.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• /!\ Some uphill sections are tricky: vertiginous and very steep. 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.

Getting there

Start: La Chadenède, Gorges du Tarn Causses (48).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/73507-La-Chadenede%2C-sentier-des-moines). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 492 m, Parc national des Cévennes