Le Viala, Trail #22

Description

A pleasant excursion on the uplands above Pont-de-Montvert, going west. A short climb to Le Viala on a pleasant forest path. From there on, the slope becomes gentler but you continue uphill to the hamlet of Racoules, which has a beautiful viewpoint onto the upper Tarn valley and the Causse Méjean plateau. To return to Le Viala, you use a magnificent cobbled path under cover of the chestnut trees. You finish where you started. Follow the waymarks for trail #22. 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: Starting at "Pont-de-Montvert", go to : - "Le Temple", - "Place de l'Horloge", - "La Destourbe", and “Le Viala”. - From “Le Viala”, do the clockwise loop "Le Viala", - "Racoule", "Le Viala". Return "Pont-de-Montvert Sud Mont Lozère" via "La Destourbe", "Place de l'Horloge", "Temple". This trail is taken from the guidebook Mont Lozère, Pays des sources, published by the Pôle de pleine nature du mont Lozère.

Difficulty

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

Before you go

• In high season, parking is difficult in the village: prioritise the suggested car park at the edge of the village. 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: Pont-de-Montvert - Sud-Mont-Lozère, 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/74842-Le-Viala---Trail-n22). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 381 m, Parc national des Cévennes