Massevaques

Description

A forest and ridge walk offering beautiful views over the Tapoul gorges, the Causse Méjean, Mont Lozère and Cévennes. This is an incredibly varied trail, through beech forests, along a ridge with views onto the cliffs of the Causse Méjean, through a hundred-year-old chestnut grove and past unexpectedly handsome isolated hamlets, which ends in riverside meadows. From the carpark, head towards Massevaques/Mont Aigoual. After the campsite, take the second track on the right (paved with concrete at first). This is the trail starting-point. 1) At the first intersection, continue straight. Follow signs for the Col des Portes. 2) At the Col (pass), take the left-hand track. 3) At the next crossroads, turn right and immediately left and continue to Massevaques. Turn right onto the road, then turn onto the small concrete lane which goes up into the hamlet and joins the D 11. 4) Take the road for a few metres, then fork right onto a footpath towards Le Pré de Thérond. 5) The path comes out into a field. Continue straight ahead to join the track and turn right onto it (further on, ignore the track on the right). As you leave the forest, continue straight ahead along the ridge of the Serre de Combe- Calde. Follow the main track, which goes downhill. 6) At the Col de Peyrerol, go downhill on the right towards Montcamp. Follow the road for 2 km. 7) then take the first path on the right which leads uphill into the chestnut grove to reach Les Ablatats. 8) In the hamlet, coninue on the small lane, which joins up with the road. Take a path on the left that goes downhill to the river. 9) After the river, follow the meadow to end up on a forestry track, onto which you turn left. At the first intersection, continue straight alongside the river. At the second, go uphill on the right to get back onto your originl outbound track.

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• The Col des Portes can be very windy. 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 good shoes and put on a hat. Please close all gates and barriers after yourself.

Getting there

Start: Rousses, Rousses (48).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/39386-Massevaques). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 698 m, Parc national des Cévennes