Mas Saint-Chély, MTB circuit #5 (graded blue)

Description

This circuit takes you through the large areas impacted by the forest fire of August 2003. On a detour, you can visit Saint Cosmas’ Chapel [chapelle de Saint-Côme], spared by the fire and recently restored. This bare landscape, shaped by generations of farmers and sheep-breeders, is closely linked to human history. From the car park by the church, take the road that goes downhill to the war memorial. Continue straight ahead between the houses. Continue on a track suitable for motor vehicles that turns into a path and climbs to a wide track. - Take the track on the left (detour: you can reach Saint-Cosmas’ Chapel by taking the track on the right for 700m). Stay on the main track. - Go right then left on the tarred road towards Toulousette. Leave it behind to take a track near a container shelter, then continue to Mas de Val. - Cross the hamlet. Continue on a path bordered by low walls until you reach the D 16. - Cross the road and take the track opposite. Go through two gates (close them properly). At the second gate, take the track on the left to the D 16. - Continue straight ahead. Climb up a slope and go back down towards a road (NB: technical section). - Continue opposite towards Prunet until you reach a small pass. - Go through the fence to take the track on the left. Follow the main path, through a second fence. When you see the village, go left then right to reach the road. By the houses, turn right twice to return to the starting-point.

Difficulty

Official rating: easy, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• No off-roading. You are strongly encouraged to wear a helmet. Do not forget your repair kit and a small tool kit. Close barriers and gates behind you. Slow down in farms and hamlets.

Getting there

Start: Mas Saint-Chély, Mas-Saint-Chély (48).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/74726-Mas-Saint-Chely---VTT-n5). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 285 m, Parc national des Cévennes