The standing stone of Trépaloup

Description

This is a short walk with exceptional views. On a clear day, you can see almost a quarter of mainland France. This walk offers panoramic views from the summit, at 1,567 m the highest point of the Gard department. They stretch from the Alps to the Pyrenees, from the Puy de Sancy to the Mediterranean. You overlook the Hérault valley and its legendary 4,000 Steps trail. 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 "Mont Aigoual, Parking", make for - "Menhir de Trépaloup", then" - Source du Tarnon", - "Combe Rude". Walk around the summit to return to "Menhir de Trépaloup". Climb towards - "Mont Aigoual" (0.6 km). Walk past the front of the meteorological museum to reach the car park. This walk 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: easy, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• No mountain-biking. 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 sturdy shoes and put on a hat. Please close all gates and barriers behind you.

Getting there

Start: Sommet du Mont Aigoual (Valleraugue), Val-d'Aigoual (30).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/41235-Le-Menhir-de-Trepaloup). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 87 m, Parc national des Cévennes