Red Gazon circular loop via Gazon Vert

Park in the Rouge Gazon car park by the Rouge Gazon farmhouse inn.

(S/E) To the north of the car park, leave the track and turn right-angled eastwards onto the path marked with a Red Circle. Leave this almost immediately to the left to take the path that climbs the fairly steep slope northwards (Blue Circle). Reach the pass.

(1) Leave this path and head up to the right for about 50 metres to a small summit with a beautiful view to the north-east, overlooking the entire day’s hike; in particular, you can see the historic site of Urbès very clearly.
Return to the pass and rejoin the path (Blue Circle) which descends to the right in steep hairpin bends towards the north. At the foot of a rocky escarpment, be sure to visit the cave known as the ‘Devil’s Kitchen’, then continue the steep descent until you reach another gently sloping path (Red Triangle) at a T-junction.

(2) At this junction, turn left onto this gently ascending path to reach, after about 500m, the lovely Sapin Saint-Antoine clearing (bench, fountain, wayside shrine and… squirrels).

(3) Return to the previous junction.

(2) Continue along the path opposite (Red Triangle), which starts off gently sloping before becoming steeper with a series of hairpin bends. Follow a forest track for a short while, then leave it immediately to head down to the right before joining a good forest track. Follow this straight on until you reach the N66, arriving at the car park for the Bruckenbach rest area.

(4) Cross the road at the eastern exit of the car park and, after a few metres, at the junction of the paths, leave the “Urbès Direct” path on your right and take the “Urbès via the Discovery Trail”. This path runs through a former industrial and historic site (mines, an unfinished tunnel, a viaduct, etc.) dotted with very well-researched information boards.
After passing under the three monumental arches of the unfinished viaduct, continue along the road that runs alongside the campsite (snacks and drinks available from April to September). You will reach the village of Urbès.

(5) Leave the main street just after passing the church, cross the car park at the foot of the church and take the narrow street that climbs steeply (Rue de Storckensohn). At the top of the slope, take the road on the right towards Mollau, passing the Centre du Torrent. After about 400m, turn right at the fork (signposted: 18th-century oil mill), pass the church and arrive at the oil mill (on the right).

The second part of this route follows the^GR® markings throughout

(6) At the junction just above the mill, take the road on the right (the road opposite leads directly to the Gazon Vert car park, the old^GR® route): this is the new^GR®-marked route (Red-White-Red). Continue along the tarmac road, climbing gently through a few bends for about 300m. You’ll come to a left-hand bend.

(7) Leave the tarmac and take a path that climbs to the right, passing two houses, crossing a park with donkeys (make sure to close the gates behind you) and then take the newly marked path that climbs through the moorland to a fence; go through it. Turn left and follow the fence. At the junction of the fences, turn slightly to the right to follow the new fence. After a while, the path becomes a farm track, which is more or less well-maintained depending on the section, before turning back into a footpath.
You’ll reach a good stony track (the old^GR® route) a few dozen metres before arriving at the “Gazon Vert waterfall car park”.

(8) Continue along this track for about 100 metres past the car park, then turn left onto the path which descends slightly before climbing again as it turns right across the meadow before entering the woods. Starting off on a relatively gentle slope, the path quickly turns into very steep switchbacks that run more or less alongside the waterfall. A well-signposted side path allows you to take a detour to the foot of the waterfall. Continue until you emerge from the woods onto a slight incline where the old Gazon Vert farm stands (now a very spacious and well-equipped shelter).

(9) From the shelter, continue along the^GR® which crosses the meadow towards the east, climbing gently to the edge of the forest. Then follow a steep, winding climb to arrive just behind the Hôtel du Rouge Gazon (S/E).

The route is classified as difficult due to several sections of fairly steep switchbacks requiring good leg strength and the ability to manage your breathing, but there are no technical difficulties in dry weather: the path is very even with no rocks.
Sturdy walking boots are essential.
Shelter available at the Cuisine du Diable (between (1) and (2))
Shelter available in the unfinished tunnel (between (4) and (5))
Shelter available at the Gazon Vert refuge ((9))
Snacks and drinks available from April to September at the Urbès campsite (between (4) and (5))

(4) The Bruckenback/Urbès discovery trail (former industrial site, old mines, unfinished tunnel from 1932–1934 used as an arms factory by the Germans in 1944)
(6) The 18th-century Storckensohn oil mill, still in operation: enquire about visiting days and times, or book in advance for groups.