Discover the Causse Méjean starting from the chaos of Nîmes le Vieux

Access to the hamlet of L'Hom is via a narrow road from the Col de Perjuret. Park in the visitor car park indicated at the entrance.

Yellow and red GRP® Tour du Causse Méjean trail markers

(S/E) Head north towards the houses.

(1) Turn right at the first crossroads. At the end of the tarmac road, look for the discreet sign inviting you to turn right onto a narrow grassy path quickly bordered by stone walls, which leads lazily to the hamlet of Le Veygalier, passing through two metal barriers.

(2) Pass in front of an inn, walk alongside an impressive farm building, then turn left, following the signposts and heading towards Villeneuve. Follow the concrete path to a three-way junction, turn left and you will soon reach a crossroads.

(3) Ignore the wide path leading back and turn right onto the path that leads to the tarmac road to Villeneuve. Follow this road to the hamlet (those allergic to tarmac can easily use the wide verge on the right or left). Cross the small hamlet with its beautiful Causse-style stone houses.

(4) Turn left onto a wide stony path. Take a hairpin bend to the right, then one to the left, and climb up onto the Causse plateau , gradually discovering the impressive immensity of the landscape.

(5) Keep to the right, staying on the same path: on the left, a beautiful natural lavogne is gradually emptying of its precious water.

(6) Ignore the grassy track on the right and continue in the same direction, heading for the edge of the Fage Vieille pine forest. The wide path continues almost level, running alongside the forest for a few hundred metres before veering away from it. You will come to a metal barrier some distance away on the left.

(7) Turn left and go through the barrier. Follow the path that passes between a wood on the left and some rock formations on the right. You will come to a crossroads that is not very marked on the ground, except for the yellow and red cross on a small rock on the ground: the magnificent view to the right stretches for dozens of kilometres over the grassy and wooded hills that form the causse.

No markings

(8) Turn left, then left again about 50 metres further on to climb straight up towards the edge of the coniferous wood. Go through the metal gate that leads into it. Then follow the forest track that crosses the woods and leads to the exit gate, then continues across open ground after a short descent. You will come to a fork after walking alongside a field of fodder crops.

(9) Turn right onto a wide grassy track, which is not very distinct at first but quickly becomes clearer.

(10) Leave the access to the ruined Souc farm on your right and go around a small grassy hillock on the left. Come out onto the access road to a farm building on the left, continue to the right, pass a water reservoir and reach the junction with a cross-country track.

(11) Turn right and stay on this main track, which winds along almost flat ground before beginning the descent to Le Veygalier.

(3) Follow the outward route in reverse to the junction at L'Hom, very close to the starting car park.

(1) Turn right and you will immediately reach the start of the Nîmes le Vieux rock formation discovery trail, marked by an information board.

Yellow markings on wooden posts

(12) Turn left onto a well-marked trail that winds its way through the curious dolomite rock formations. The trail is punctuated with several well-designed information boards about the geology, flora and fauna of the Causse. Reach the highest point after a short steep climb.

(13) After reading the last information board, turn right and walk along the ridge , enjoying the breathtaking view of the rocky chaos you have just crossed, which can be seen below on the right. You will reach a fork in the path at a signpost.

(14) Continue to the left, keeping to the marked path, and join a wide, stony cross-country track.

(15) Turn right and descend to the start of the discovery trail.

(12) Turn right.

(1) At the crossroads that immediately appears, turn right and quickly return to the car park (S/E).

Warnings

1/ This area of the Causse Méjean is heavily fenced. The hike therefore runs alongside fences for much of the route, crossing several of them through gates that must be closed behind you. Several signs here and there remind you that it is forbidden to cross the fences. This explains why many of the paths and tracks shown on the IGN map cannot be used, which reduces the number of possible routes.

2/ Herding dogs: numerous signs warn of the presence of herding dogs in the pastures and remind you of the rules and behaviour to adopt. However, I would like to point out that on the route described, there are some very aggressive dogs that do not seem to be particularly concerned with whether or not these rules are followed.

Situation as of 1 October 2025: one of them, particularly impressive, followed me between (6) and (7) for more than 800 m, trying to bite me several times despite my peaceful attitude. I was able to repel it with some difficulty using my walking sticks. A female hiker was also bitten on the same day in another nearby area. Extreme caution is therefore required.

Drinking water available on arrival at Le Veygalier.

Inn at L'Hom (S/E).

Farmhouse inn at Le Veygalier (3).

Hiking boots are recommended, but this route is accessible with trainers. Walking sticks are recommended for the reasons above.

Chaos de Nîmes le Vieux.

Meyrueis.