The Tour des Puechs (by mountain-bike)

Description

All sides of the Eschine d'Aze can be seen from this route, which brings together all aspects of mountain-biking: stony track and technical path. You will need strong legs! Te Tour des Puechs is for mountain-bikers looking for a challenge. A warm-up stretch on the small lane to La Baume leads up to a long ascent to Issenges, which is strenuous because it is initially so steep. As you pass below the Eschine d'Aze, you get a good look at the two buttes of Les Bondons, local geological curiosities. Mountain-bike route #11. From the car park at the village hall, exit right onto the D 998. After a few metres, turn right towards La Baume. Immediately after the bridge, turn left and cycle along the Tarn to the Terre Rouge housing scheme. Before you get to the village de vacances (holiday village), turn right for the climb towards Issenges (GR 43). Keep going straight. Below the Eschine d'Aze, follow the track on the right towards Les Puechs. Before you get to the D 135, take the track on the right to go downhill to Malaval and then Malbosc. Take the road leading to Chadenet and go downhill on a magnificent path that will take you to Cocurès. Join up with the D 998 and cross the bridge to return to Bédouès.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• No cycling off-track. You are strongly advised to wear a helmet. Do not forget your repair kit and a small set of tools. Please shut all gates and barriers after yourself. Slow down in farms and hamlets.

Getting there

Start: Bédouès, Bédouès-Cocurès (48).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/38821-Le-tour-des-puechs---VTT-n11). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 970 m, Parc national des Cévennes