MTB 9 - The 5 Bonheur passes

Description

This rather uneven and technical downhill circuit allows you to discover the perched Bonheur valley and the pretty panorama of the surrounding forests and peaks. From the Col de la Serreyrède pass, you also have handsome views onto the south side of the Aigoual massif before beginning your climb back to the starting point. 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: Starting from "Station de Prat Peyrot", head towards "La Croix de Fer" on the GR® 6 trail via the two crossroads - “Les Fayards” and - “Col de la Caumette”. On your descent, make sure to turn left onto the single-lane path and continue to “La Croix de Fer”; leave the GR® 6 behind. - At "La Croix de Fer", turn left towards - "L’Aubespi", - "Perte de Bramabiau" and "Mairie". - At the "Mairie", turn right, go through the village towards - "La Croix basse", - "Camprieu", then towards "Maison du bois" via - “Le Cros”, - “Tabarde”. - At the "Maison du bois", head towards "Col de Faubel" via - "Tailladette", - "Taillade", - "Bois de l'Agre". - At the "Col de Faubel" pass, go towards “Col de l’Espérou” via - "La pépinière", - "Montlau", then turn towards "Col de la Serreyrède" via - At "Col de l'Espérou" go to - "Serre de Favatel", - " Trevezel". - At the "Col de la Serreyrède" pass, climb back up on the drovers’ road (GR® 7) to "Station de Prat-Peyrot" via - "Le Fangas". This circuit 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

• Caution: patous (livestock guard dogs)! Seek advice on how to behave near these dogs from tourist offices and National Park information centres.
• Before committing yourself to a circuit, ensure that it is suitable for your activity level and ability. You must wear a helmet. Protective equipment is recommended. Respect other road users and stay in control of your speed and trajectory. Make sure your equipment is appropriate for the day’s weather conditions. Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Take enough water. Please close all gates and barriers behind you. No off-roading.

Getting there

Start: Prat Peyrot, Meyrueis (48).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/42483-Les-5-cols-du-Bonheur---VTT-n9). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 564 m, Parc national des Cévennes