Tour in the Sud Cévennes

Description

This circuit gives you great glimpses of the Aigoual massif and its foothills in the Gard and Lozère departments ! Having covered the westernmost part of Mont Aigoual (oceanic side of Aigoual), today you go out onto its southern side via the Hérault valley, to reach first Le Vigan and then, by climbing to the Col du Minier pass on a small vertiginous road, to reach L’Espérou. At L’Espérou roundabout, bike to Dourbies on the D151. - After the village of Dourbies, continue on the D151 to the Col des Rhodes pass. - At the Col des Rhodes pass, take the D170 towards St-Sauveur Camprieu via the Col des Ubertes pass, to reach the D986. - Turn towards Lanuéjols on the D986 and then on the D263. Bike through Lanuéjols and at the roundabout, turn right to go to Meyrueis on the D47, then on the D986. - As you leave Meyrueis, climb to the Col de Perjuret pass towards Florac on the D996. - At the Col de Perjuret pass, climb Mont Aigoual on the D18 via Cabrillac. - At the summit, take the track closed to motorised vehicles that goes below the Mont Aigoual via Font de Trépaloup; join the D269 and go downhill to the Col de La Serreyrède pass. Return to L’Espérou on the D986. - Go to Valleraugue, then to Le Pont d’Hérault, on the D986. - At Le Pont d’Hérault, take the D999 to Le Vigan. - As you enter Le Vigan, at the roundabout, turn right to Centre Ville on Rue Emmanuel d'Alzon. - Turn right onto Rue du Mûrier. Continue to the Plan d'Auvergne (Mairie). - Continue left on the Boulevard des Châtaigniers. - At the far end of the park, turn right onto Avenue Jean Jaurès, D170 and continue for 3.400 km (Route neuve, Serre de Goulsou); join the D370, then the D48. - Turn right onto the D48 towards L’Espérou, via the Col de Broue and Col du Minier passes, to reach the D986a. - Turn right onto the D986a to return to L’Espérou.

Difficulty

Official rating: difficult, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• Before committing yourself to a circuit, ensure that it is suitable for your activity level and ability. Respect traffic laws and other road users; stay in control of your speed and trajectory. Make sure to be seen and travel in single file when in a group. Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Take enough water. Safe trip !

Getting there

Start: L'Espérou, Dourbies (30).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/95062-Tour-en-Sud-Cevennes). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 3,987 m, Parc national des Cévennes