Saint-Pons hermitage

Description

A ruined/former mediaeval chapel is the emblem of this strenous and marvellous trail, which crosses from the Tarn gorge to the cliff edges of the Jonte. Splendid scenery and breathtaking sections ! This unique loop captivates immediately, with a techical climb to Capluc, from where a path takes you to the Saint-Pons site, at the foot of the astonishingly shaped rocks sloping up to the Causse Méjean. On the Jonte side, the landscape is a treat for your eyes but be careful where you put your feet at the edge of the truly vertiginous cliffs. 1- Walk along the main road towards Meyrueis. Before the fish farm, take on the left the ten or so steps uphill between the houses and continue on the path until it comes out onto a hairpin bend in the road. Take the path uphill on your right. At the second hairpin bend, take first the road, then the concreted uphill section. Turn left onto the Roman road to reach the centre of Capluc. Walk through the hamlet along its narrow lanes. After some steps, you join a well-marked path opposite a ruined façade (not part of the loop: Rocher de Capluc, see The Cliffs of the Causse Méjean walk). 2- Take this path on the right for 20 m and, just before a bread oven, go left. Walk past ruined houses to reach the ridge, cross over into the Tarn valley and walk upriver along the foot of the cliffs. Just before the path enters a cave, it passes through some ruined buildings, with only a few stons remaining on the ground. As you exit the cave, you are on the Saint-Pons site. 3- After Saint-Pons, the path climbs. It passes under a stone arch, then climbs in hairpin bends to come out onto a larger path. Turn right onto this. The path passes near Le Teil spring (there-and-back, 80m). 4- Continue to the Col de Francbouteille pass, where you will leave the Tarn valley to return to the Jonte valley. 5- At the crossroads 150 m further down, continue downhill to the Ravin des Échos ravine. This path will take you back to the hamlet of Capluc. 6- After the relay mast, take the path on the right, which is also waymarked as a GR®. As you arrive at the road, turn left and stay on the pavement till you reach the car park.

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.

Getting there

Start: Le Rozier, Le Rozier (48).

Sources

• Track: Parc national des Cévennes, Licence Ouverte 1.0, Licence Ouverte 1.0 (Etalab) (destination.cevennes-parcnational.fr/trek/98844-L-ermitage-Saint-Pons). Time estimated by GPX Path with the Mac app rule, breaks not included.
• Official elevation gain: 692 m, Parc national des Cévennes