Circular route starting from L'Esperou in the Aigoual Massif

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A hike in the heart of the Cévennes in the Mont Aigoual massif, where a variety of landscapes awaits you, depending on the slope—whether facing the Atlantic or the Mediterranean. You will pass through deciduous and coniferous forests and peat bogs, with the highlight, in fine weather, being a view stretching all the way to the sea as you cross the bridge over the Cascades d’Orgon.
The hike follows sections of thePR® trail marked in yellow andthe GR® trail in red and white. You will also be well guided by the signposts marking this circular route.

Details

n°21925806
Creation:
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 19.96 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 40 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 341 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 334 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,361 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,173 m
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Photos

Bridge over the waterfalls
Start of the waterfalls
Waterfall trail in autumn
Forest trail

Description of the walk

In the village of L’Esperou, at the Les Halles signpost, park by the market halls, at the end of the straight road through the village, heading towards Dourbies.

(S/E) Take thePR® path, marked in yellow, which climbs to the left. Follow a circular path to the left to reach the Les Douzes signpost at the junction with the sharedGR® paths.

(1) Turn right onto these to reach the Font des Douzes signpost.

(2) Turn left onto theGR®7andGR®60and follow the Ruisseau de Pueylong to find a new signpost, the Pueylong signpost.

(3) Continue to the right along the road, then leave it to stay on theGR®. Carry on slightly uphill and emerge at the junction with the Bois de Montals signpost.

(4) Take the forest path on the left; this is theGR®60. Pass the Col de Montals, continue along this wide path and reach the Sous la Lusette signpost at a crossroads.

(5) Leave theGR® here by turning right onto the Chemin du Cimetière. Look for the Abeouradous signpost and continue straight ahead. You will reach the Cascades d’Orgon picnic area. Turn left
between two large boulders to reach the Cascades d'Orgon.

(6) Cross the bridge and head back up to the road. Follow it to the right for about a hundred metres, then turn left off it to take thePR®, marked in yellow. Follow this forest track to the ‘Le Camping’ signpost.

(7) Cross the GR®7 and continue straight ahead to reach the multi-way junction at the ‘Abri d’Hombre’ signpost.

(8) Take the forest path to the right; you will soon come to the ‘Pont Double’ signpost and theGR®7. Follow it to the left, stay on theGR® at the next junction, and you will then return to the junction with the ‘Bois de Montals’ signpost you passed earlier.

(4) Leave theGR® and turn left. Pass beneath the summit of the Serre de Ginestous. Make a wide circular loop to the left, then, after a few bends, reach the Tabusse signpost and rejoin theGR®66andGR®71here.

(9) Turn right onto these sharedGR® routes, pass through the metal gate (remember to close it behind you) and begin a tricky descent to quickly reach the junction marked by the Font des Douzes signpost, which you also passed on the way out.

(2) Continue straight ahead, following the route you took on the way there in the opposite direction, to return to the Espérou car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,217 m - Espérou car park - Col de l'Espérou(1329m)
  2. 1 : km 1.77 - alt. 1,195 m - Les Douzes signpost
  3. 2 : km 2.65 - alt. 1,178 m - Font des Douzes signpost. Junction for the first circular loop
  4. 3 : km 3.93 - alt. 1,208 m - Pueylong marker
  5. 4 : km 5.24 - alt. 1,301 m - Bois de Montals signpost. Junction for the 2nd circular loop - Col de Montals (1308m)
  6. 5 : km 7.51 - alt. 1,330 m - Signpost: Sous la Lusette - Col de la Lusette (1351m)
  7. 6 : km 9.12 - alt. 1,240 m - Orgon Waterfalls
  8. 7 : km 11.09 - alt. 1,290 m - Le Camping signpost
  9. 8 : km 12.59 - alt. 1,253 m - Signpost: Shaded shelter. Towards the - Dourbie (rivière)
  10. 9 : km 16.78 - alt. 1,243 m - Tabusse marker
  11. S/E : km 19.96 - alt. 1,217 m - Espérou car park - Col de l'Espérou(1329m)

Notes

A hike with no major difficulties, but hiking boots are strongly recommended; there may be significant surface runoff in places following a period of rain, and a 500-metre descent is somewhat tricky due to unstable, damp, stony ground beneath the chestnut trees.
There are no drinking water points along the route, but there are two picnic areas: one at Col de Montals and the other at Cascades d'Orgon.

Worth a visit

Nearby: Mont-Aigoual weather observatory, offering a 360-degree panoramic view stretching from the Cévennes plateaus to the sea.
Bramabiau Abyss in Camprieu-Saint-Sauveur.
Camprieu Lake, equipped with picnic areas.
Numerous hiking trails starting from Camprieu.

Always be cautious and plan ahead when you're outdoors. Visorando and the author of this route cannot be held responsible for any accidents occurring on this route.

The GR® and PR® markings are the intellectual property of the Fédération Française de Randonnée Pédestre.

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Reviews and comments

4.3 / 5
Based on 5 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
3.6 / 5
User 25999640
• Edited:

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 16, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A very, very unattractive hiking trail.
Wide, monotonous ONF trails in a coniferous forest with no views except for the Orgons waterfalls.
Better suited to mountain biking, mountain skating, scooters, skiing or wheelchairs...

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fontduloup
fontduloup

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and varied route during the first section up to the Orgon waterfalls. After that, most of the tracks become a bit monotonous. The stony descent is manageable but requires care.

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Nadège12
Nadège12

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 03, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

An easy hike; for us, it was more of a long walk with a steep climb between markers 3 and 4 and a stony descent between markers 9 and 2.
A pleasant forest setting; the only view is at the waterfall.

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bernbla
bernbla

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 19, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Thank you for this walk.
A lovely autumn walk, with stunning colours; it’s not at all difficult, apart from the distance, and is ideal for families.

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BUBU33
BUBU33

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 11, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Hello,
We did this hike during the big heatwave at the end of August and there’s hardly any shade! But that’s precisely what makes this peak so special… heather as far as the eye can see! Otherwise, it’s not difficult at all; we did it in under 3 hours. The view is well worth it, especially with several ‘information boards’ providing explanations.
The resort is very quiet in the height of summer; if you get the chance, head to Le Bleymard, a charming little village with free access to the swimming pool – and after a hot day, that was most welcome!

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