MTB 7 - The Bonheur valley, graded blue

Description

From Camprieu, this circuit uses scenic tracks (St Guilhem trail) to explore the Bonheur valley, before the proper climb up to the Col. Return on beautiful, technical but not dangerous single-track trails to Camprieu lake. 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: Start from “Camprieu”, near the football pitch. Follow the crossroads - “La Croix Basse” and - “Mairie”. Go uphill to the left of the mairie (town hall), towards - “Perte de Bramabiau” and continue to “L’Aubespi”. - At "L'Aubespi" turn right to - "Pont du Bonheur", then turn left by the lake to follow - “Le Devois”, - “La Baraque neuve”, - “La Baraque vieille”. Go back up to - “Bonahuc” and - “Sous St Flour” and turn right towards “Plan du Châtaignier”. - At "Plan du Châtaignier", at the far end of the car park, turn right and follow - “Le Plan d’eau”. Return to the village via - “Route du Devois” then - "Le Cros". This circuit 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: very easy, by Parc national des Cévennes.

Before you go

• Caution: patous (livestock guard dogs) by the Bonheur stream! Seek advice on how to behave near these dogs from tourist offices and National Park information centres.
• Before committing yourself to a circuit, ensure that it is suitable for your activity level and ability. You must wear a helmet. Protective equipment is recommended. Respect other road users and stay in control of your speed and trajectory. Make sure your equipment is appropriate for the day’s weather conditions. Remember that the weather changes quickly in the mountains. Take enough water. Please close all gates and barriers behind you. No off-roading.

Getting there

Start: St-Sauveur-Camprieu, Saint-Sauveur-Camprieu (30).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/42479-La-vallee-du-Bonheur---VTT-n7). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 182 m, Parc national des Cévennes