The wash houses (north)

Description

This easy family walk will thrill lovers of old stone and ancestral know-how. The wash house in the hamlet of Gadilhe, nestled in a small welcoming clearing, remains in a perfect state. Come admire the ingeniosity that our forefathers displayed in exploiting springs and rivers for water, which is very precious in the Ardèche Cévennes. This walk is dotted with fountains, wash houses and other small waterways cleverly built to irrigate the many gardens. 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 : From the car park, walk to the signpost “St-Paul-le-Jeune Place de la Gare”. - From “St-Paul-le-Jeune”, follow “Le Tomple 0,8 km” (green waymarks). - From “Le Tomple”, follow “Les Sagnes 0,1 km” (yellow waymarks). - At “Les Sagnes”, follow “Les Rousses 2,1 km” (yellow waymarks). - At “Les Rousses”, follow “Mentaresse 0,8 km” (yellow waymarks). - From “Mentaresse” continue to “La Coste 1,1 km” (yellow waymarks). - At “La Coste”, follow “St-Paul-le-Jeune - Place de la Gare 0,5 km” (yellow waymarks).

Difficulty

Official rating: moderate, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• 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 any gates and barriers behind you.

Getting there

Start: Saint-Paul-le-Jeune, Saint-Paul-le-Jeune (07).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/96982-Les-lavoirs-Nord). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 178 m, Parc national des Cévennes