Cazevieille - Moncalm loop, panoramic views and beautiful trails

de fr

A beautiful loop in the Cévennes, 99% on trails. Varied terrain, diverse panoramas including the superb 360° view of Montcalm from the heights of Alès.
For me, this is the most beautiful loop to do in less than 3 hours near Alès. There is only tarmac on the street where you park, and the terrain is very varied (pine and oak forests), with trails ranging from narrow, steep and technical to wide, open tracks, with fords, beautiful views and the most beautiful panorama in the area: it has everything!

Details

n°18358201
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.00 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 361 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 357 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 563 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 208 m
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Photos

Waterfall
Arbousier
View of Alès
Cévenol trail

Description of the walk

Access to the start: in Saint-Jean du Pin, take the D217 towards Carnoulès. At Cazevieille, park on the right in the car park behind the bus shelter.

(S/E) Leave the car park and take the road on the right, pass the La Barrière signpost and a little further on, turn right towards La Calade. The second signpost is only a few dozen metres away.

(1) Go up to the right along the paved slanting street between the houses and at the La Calade hiking signpost, follow the signs for Sous Cabane.

(2) Continue along the track on the right, following the yellow signs and ignoring the path that branches off to the left.

(3) Leave the main track and turn left onto the path that descends into the rocks, still marked with yellow signs. The forest track turns into a typical Cévennes path, which climbs and descends alongside stone walls and fords.
Pass the Dolmen de Sognes halfway along and then reach a track at the Sous Cabane signpost.

(4) Turn left after a few dozen metres and you will reach the Moncalm signpost. Turn right towards the Muraille du Moncalm, following the yellow and red-and-whiteGR®44D/GR®70signs. You will reach the Moncalm orientation tables.

(5) Enjoy the panoramic view of Moncalm and the 360° orientation tables, and take advantage of the space to enjoy the landscape and have a good rest.
Continue along the ridge, following the yellow and red-and-white markings forthe GR®44DandGR®70trails.

(6) At the Muraille du Montcalm signpost, at the intersection of four paths, leave the yellow and red-white markings that go straight ahead, turn right onto the path (not marked on the maps) and ignore the yellow cross. This path follows the summit ridge. Second section of the Cévennes trail, rocky, gently technical with beautiful views.
At the end of the trail, continue left on the large track and follow it to the junction with the Forêt de Rouvergue signpost. Turn right towards La Barrière, still following the yellow markings.

(7) Cross the small road, veering slightly to the left onto the path that leads to the house opposite. Follow the yellow markings again before the gate of the house on the right and walk along the property. Continue until you reach the tarmac road, follow it downhill and take the Chemin des Chênes Verts to join the D217 at the La Barrière signpost and turn left to reach the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 211 m - Parking
  2. 1 : km 0.17 - alt. 216 m - Signpost: La Calade
  3. 2 : km 1.18 - alt. 292 m - Fork
  4. 3 : km 1.94 - alt. 340 m - Trail - Dolmen de Sognes
  5. 4 : km 3.27 - alt. 513 m - Signpost: Sous Cabane
  6. 5 : km 3.71 - alt. 563 m - Panoramic views from Moncalm
  7. 6 : km 4.22 - alt. 505 m - signpost: Muraille du Moncalm
  8. 7 : km 5.71 - alt. 316 m - D50c junction
  9. S/E : km 7 - alt. 211 m - Parking

Notes

The hike can be very rocky in places, so wear good walking shoes. There are no drinking water points on the loop, but most of it is in the shade, which is very pleasant in summer.

At the highest point (Moncalm), there is a magnificent 360° panorama and space to sit down, have a snack and enjoy the view.

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

4.7 / 5
Based on 28 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.7 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
User 22975115

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 05, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : Yes

An interesting route for those with some experience

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Aniodin
Aniodin

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 02, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Superb hike, varied terrain, pretty forest paths, a few stony paths, the ridge section is magnificent! It's best to read the details and not just rely on the map. Thank you very much for sharing this with us!

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User 4495554

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 01, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful circular in the hills near Alès, with views of the two valleys on either side. I highly recommend it!

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ALEX69
ALEX69

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 30, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A beautiful hike with a good portion in the woods, but the view from the ridge is stunning, offering almost 360° visibility.
Before reaching the ridge, the climb can be difficult for some, so you need to be wearing suitable footwear.
The path can be slippery in wet weather.
I recommend it.

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julio
julio

No problem with the negative review or the fact that you didn't like it: as explained, I didn't understand your comment because what you're complaining about (stony path, steep slope) seems to be clearly stated both in the description and in previous reviews. You may not like it, but it seems clear from reading that it is stony and steep.

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User 25343690

So when I say that this hike is not for beginners and that you need to be well equipped, it's because most of the reviews are written by people who are used to hiking. I didn't do this hike in trainers, but was well equipped. I simply find that the comments do not reflect the hike; this is only my opinion, and I am glad that other people enjoyed it. Apart from the panoramic view, I find that this hike is not enjoyable, and once again, this is only my opinion.
I understand that you may not like my comments, but when you post a hike on a public website, you have to accept feedback, even when it's negative. I don't think I was offensive or insulting in my comments. I simply gave my opinion

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julio
julio
• Edited:

@Par : I don't understand your opinion. Didn't you read the description and previous reviews? "The hike can be very rocky in places, so wear good shoes" seems pretty clear to me. I don't understand the complaint that there are rocks and that it's dangerous if you're not well equipped...

And when you read "follow the path down the rocks", you shouldn't expect a cycle path.

As for shade, well... Most of the trail is in the shade, including almost the entire climb. It's true that when you reach the top, you're in the sun, and it's more convenient not to be in the forest to enjoy the view, but 90% of the climb is behind you.

It's still an easy hike compared to what you find in the Cévennes, but it's representative of the Cévennes: elevation gain, scree, rocks, steep terrain. These aren't "really unpleasant trails"; there are much more technical drovers' roads, and many of us actually find these gently technical trails really enjoyable...

I'll take this opportunity to remind you of the basics: don't go hiking in trainers in mountainous terrain, take a look at the map before you set off, and when the contour lines are very close together on an uphill section, expect it to be very steep.

If you do other hikes in the area, read the descriptions carefully before setting off, as there are many, many more technical and exposed trails :-/

This is not meant to be hostile, but after rereading the description and comments, I don't see what the surprise is...

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User 25343690

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

I was very surprised by the positive comments about this hike. More than half of the hike is on really unpleasant paths, with large stones all over the way and very steep slopes in some places (dangerous if you're not equipped). Shaded at times but not throughout the entire route, I really don't recommend this hike in hot weather. Furthermore, it's definitely not suitable for beginners, so make sure you're well equipped. I really didn't enjoy this hike at all. The only positive point is the view when you reach the observation table.

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Clara1917
Clara1917

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 11, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A superb little varied loop with some beautiful views. Pleasant even in the heat, like this morning, as it is very shaded. Definitely worth doing, thank you!

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User 4290071
• Edited:

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A great hike, a bit challenging between points 3 and 5, but the route is shaded, which makes it easier to progress. Beautiful views of the Cévennes mountains and you follow a small part of Stevenson's route. Thank you!

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MARIE LINCY
MARIE LINCY

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 06, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful hike, magnificent view of the Cévennes at the highest point.

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Flo30900
Flo30900

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 05, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Great hike. Beautiful views. Can be done even in summer because it's very shaded, which was really nice

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Winlie
Winlie

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 29, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

What a climb! As novices, we struggled over the last 500 metres, but it was well worth the effort. The view from the top was magnificent. The descent was easier for us!

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anchanz
anchanz

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 14, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A short hike that is very interesting for the diversity of the landscapes and the fact that you are on trails for the entire route. We hesitated to continue along the ridge to reach the track further down (Point 6) to avoid the rocky Cévennes trail. Honestly, it wasn't too difficult and the passage is definitely worth it. Despite the cross, the trail is very easy to follow and offers a beautiful descent into typical Cévennes landscapes

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françoisetchristine
françoisetchristine

Overall rating : 5 / 5

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

A short but challenging and beautiful hike.
Very beautiful views, even though you're very close to the city.

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