On the road to Rutènes

Description

This walk offers handsome panoramic viewpoints over the Arre and Coudoulous valleys, with perched villages. From Molière-Cavaillac, the path meanders over crop terraces and the Déroucades blockfield to reach Esparon. From the pass, you stay on a track lined with chestnut and wild cherry trees to Bréau-Salagosse with its picturesque lanes. 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 "MOLIÈRES-CAVAILLAC", walk to "ESPARON" via: - "Place Bellevue", - "Bois et Avans", - "La Croix d’Esparon", - "Chapelle d’Esparon". - From "ESPARON", continue to "BRÉAU" via: - "Col d’Esparon", - "Courbières", - "L’Ubac", - "La Bernadelle Ouest". Go to “Bréau” on the right-hand track. - On the square in front of the Protestant church in Bréau, take on your right the former Roman road to return straight to “MOLIÈRES-CAVAILLAC". This walk is taken from the guidebook Les Vallées Cévenoles - En Pays Viganais, published by the Communauté de communes Pays Viganais-Cévennes as part of the collection Espaces Naturels Gardois and the label Gard Pleine Nature.

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• Make sure your equipment is appropriate for the day’s weather conditions. Take enough water, wear sturdy shoes and put on a hat. Please close any gates and barriers behind you.

Getting there

Start: MOLIÈRES, CAVAILLAC, Panneau Porte Information, Molières-Cavaillac (30).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/73896-Sur-la-route-des-Rutenes). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 469 m, Parc national des Cévennes