Valescure

Description

This is one of the least frequented of all the Cévenol valleys! Also one of the best preserved, it invites you to explore, contemplate and recharge your batteries… Learn how to merge into its peacefulness. A hike in a peaceful little valley that looks wild at first but has been shaped by human action. Explore a formerly bustling dwelling place, a heritage built stone by stone. The many low walls around the ruins of La Faysolle bear witness to the active life of the hamlet, where many families lived. The oven, clède and spring enabled them to exist in autarky. From the ridges, wide views open up over the landscapes of the surrounding mountains. Signposts will guide you all along this route, as well as yellow painted waymarks. In the description below, the signposted place names and/or directions are given in bold italics between quotation marks : Starting from the car park "PEYROLLES - Serre de Clayrac", turn right onto the D road and, 200m. - At "La Planque", turn left downhill onto the small road towards - "Pont de l'Arénas", then continue along the road towards - “Vallée Obscure” and - “Château de Vallée Obscure”. Take the path on the left below the château, then continue to - "La Jasse", then turn left towards - “Le Gué”. From there, continue left and climb the steep path, carefully follow the yellow waymarks through the woodland. Once on the ridge, turn right to reach - “La Jasse d’Almiras”. Follow the ridge to - "La Rouvière", then descend towards “Le Gué” (5) and “Château de Vallée Obscure” (4). Continue along the small road to “Pont de l’Arénas” (2), then turn left towards “La Planque” (1) to return to the main road and the starting car park.

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 : the descent after the ruins of La Faysolle is steep, this walk is reserved for experienced hikers. Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Take enough water. Please close all gates and barriers behind you. Caution : it is best not to attempt this walk during heavy rain.

Getting there

Start: Parking du virage de la Planque - Peyrolles, Peyrolles-en-Cévennes (30).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/74639-Valescure). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 710 m, Parc national des Cévennes