Circular Rocher de Trenze starting from Génolhac

de fr

A very pretty walk, through trees at the bottom and broom at the top. Allow a good half day to a full day to complete the circuit. I recommend this walk to experienced walkers who are used to walking in the mountains.

Details

n°1867375
Creation:
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Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 12.41 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 5h 50 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Difficult
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 812 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 803 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,417 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 820 m
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Photos

Swarms of pollen
Col de Montclar
Hamlet of Montclar
Les Bouzedes

Description of the walk

From Génolhac, take the D362 towards Mas de la Barque and park at the6th bend where there is a verge.

(S/E) Take the path opposite, continue along it and you will reach an old abandoned farm in the former hamlet of Monclar.

(1) Continue along the path, passing in front of and then over a small bridge spanning the Homol stream. Reach the track at the Col de Montclar. Enjoy the view of the Cévennes.

(2) Stay on the track, turn right then left to reach the summit of Chastelas.

(3) Retrace your steps and, at the crossroads, stay on the path to the left. You will soon reach another crossroads; turn left to find a new perpendicular path.

(4) Take it to the right and begin a steady climb towards the Rochers de Trenze. Pass higher up via a hairpin bend, continue the ascent along a cliff and reach the crossroads of the path leading to the summit.

(5) Be careful here: it is possible to climb the rock, but the passage is technical.

(6) Return to the previous junction.

(5) Take the path on the left, continue climbing along the Ranc des Chabals cliff. Cross the Jasse d'Olibou to reach theGR®68at the highest point.

(7) Take it on the right and begin the descent, following the red and white markings. Continue walking through the Jasse d'Olibou. Reach the hamlet of Les Bouzèdes.

(8) Here you have two options:
- follow the track to the right,
- take the small path on the left, which is theGR® and the option chosen on the route.
You will reach another intersection.

(9) Continue left on theGR® trail, also known as the Sentier des Bouzèdes. After a few hairpin bends, you will reach another trail junction.

(10) Leave theGR® here and take the path opposite. At the next crossroads, join the D362 road and turn right to return to the car park at bend 6 (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 820 m - Bend no. 6 or Montclar
  2. 1 : km 0.6 - alt. 854 m - Old farmhouse in Monclar. Towards the small bridge at - Homol (ruisseau) - Affluent de la Cèze
  3. 2 : km 1.28 - alt. 871 m - Col de Montclar (830m)
  4. 3 : km 1.84 - alt. 939 m - Le Chastelas
  5. 4 : km 2.41 - alt. 848 m - Crossroads of the Trenze rocks
  6. 5 : km 3.93 - alt. 1,210 m - Under the rocks
  7. 6 : km 4.08 - alt. 1,107 m - Trenze Rock
  8. 7 : km 6.49 - alt. 1,385 m - Chemin des Bouzèdes
  9. 8 : km 8.18 - alt. 1,291 m - Hamlet of Bouzedes
  10. 9 : km 9.03 - alt. 1,280 m - GR
  11. 10 : km 11.52 - alt. 899 m - GR trail junction
  12. S/E : km 12.41 - alt. 820 m - Bend no. 6 or Montclar

Notes

(8) The only water source on the route is along the river, but it is difficult to find; it is a pipe that flows into the river.
It is advisable to wear good shoes for mountain trails.

Worth a visit

(8) Bouzèdes: a typical hamlet of the Cévennes and Mont Lozère.

 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

4.6 / 5
Based on 11 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.6 / 5
André Semence
André Semence

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : May 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hello, we did the hike today. We followed the advice and did it in reverse. The climb up Chastelas is difficult and there's no point in going up, as once you reach the top there's just a recently rebuilt wall. Otherwise, we enjoyed all the granite rocks, waterfalls, and the hamlet of Bouzèdes with its typical Cévenole houses (worth seeing, especially the old mill). There are also lots of flowers at this time of year. However, it's a little early for the broom to be in bloom on the hills, so you have to go back down to see it in flower.
At point No. 7, we found a walking stick, which we left at the Génolhac tobacconist's on our way back.

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plebuse
plebuse

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 24, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Without a doubt the most beautiful hike of the week. Easy climb when taken in the opposite direction to the recommended route.
We completed it in 4½ hours without going via Chastelas, which seemed unnecessary after the magnificent landscapes we had seen throughout the hike.
Impressive clouds of pollen at this time of year (April), visible for miles.
There was a significant temperature difference between the bottom and top of the hike (~15°C), so be sure to bring appropriate clothing.

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Patrick30700
Patrick30700

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 17, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A pleasant and beautiful hike that takes about 5 hours at a leisurely pace, with magnificent views of the Cévennes mountains both on the way up and on the way down. Beautiful view of Cassini once you reach the top. No issues with signposting 👌🏼

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kinou1273visorando
kinou1273visorando

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike, done under a huge blue sky, but with a lot of cold wind. Thank you for this wonderful discovery.
We did the hike anti-clockwise, which allowed us to make the gentle climb through the broom bushes easily and save the stony part for the descent. We think this allows you to better appreciate the fabulous landscapes. However, as we were very careful on the descent (recent ankle sprain...), it took us almost 6 hours, even though we are used to hiking....

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REMY BASELLI
REMY BASELLI

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

I really enjoyed this hike, especially swimming in the Homol.

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Grand Fanch
Grand Fanch

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 12, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, mostly in open terrain with magnificent panoramic views. Steep climb over rocks but not technically difficult. Gentler descent. Thank you for this hike.

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cb200443
cb200443

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 04, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A wonderful hike!
We are a couple who regularly go to the gym, but we don't do much cardio and rarely go hiking in the mountains. We found the route very beautiful, uncrowded and moderately difficult to difficult. When we reached the bottom, I was tired, but the hike is totally doable for amateurs. It took us almost exactly the 5 hours and 50 minutes indicated.
The path is rocky all the way and we found it easier to do it in reverse. The climb is longer but less steep.
Thank you for this lovely discovery in the Cévennes.

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amis de st laurent
amis de st laurent

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 26, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

easy and pleasant hike

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bader
bader

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 13, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

Hike completed on 19 August. I would classify it as moderately difficult.

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Alinedutrail
Alinedutrail

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A very nice route for beginners to trail running, for runners of good or even very good level.

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gr.saracco@orange.fr
gr.saracco@orange.fr

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 22, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, but difficult. Steep climb and descent over rocks. Almost entirely exposed, offering magnificent views.
It took us 5 hours to complete.

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