From Pont-de-Montvert to Florac via the Signal du Bougès

Red and white markings

(S) Leave the municipal lodge and head down towards the town centre. Pass the temple on your left and cross the bridge over the Tarn.

(1) As you leave the bridge, head up the narrow lane almost opposite. The well-paved slanting street passes through several small gates and climbs steeply, turning away from the village. You’ll reach a plateau.

(2) Ignore a path branching off to the right and continue south-south-west.

(3) At the Chanteloup signpost, continue straight on (south) to the next junction (signpost).

(4) Turn left towards the Signal de Bougès, following the^GR®70, 72 and 736. The path descends to the road at the Pont de Fiarouse.

(5) Turn left, cross the bridge and follow the road (D20) for about 500 m.

(6) Then leave the road and take a forest track on the right. The track climbs steeply through the forest and heads south-east. Pass the restored buildings of Champlong-de-Bougès and you will immediately reach a crossroads.

(7) Continue straight on along a track that climbs through the forest (follow the signposts). Stay on the track, ignoring the side paths, until you reach a road.

(8) Follow the road to the right and, when it immediately bends sharply (at a place called Le Grand Tournant), continue straight on (south-east) along a track. Follow this track and the signposts to the crossroads by the memorial to Raymond Senn (a hiker who devoted much of his time to maintaining the paths).

(9) Turn right (west-south-west) onto the^GR® 70 and 736 towards the Signal du Bougès. We follow this route due west, guided by the signpost.

(10) At the next junction, turn right then left, still following the^{GR® trails.} You’ll reach a large area of cairns known as Les Trois Fayards. The track bends and continues through the pine trees before opening out into open ground. Head westwards to climb the Signal.

(11) Continue westwards and pass the base of an antenna. Ignore a path leading down to the right and, shortly afterwards, take a detour to the left (cairn) to enjoy a view of the valley. Join the often stony path that descends through the undergrowth, alternating with rocky sections.

(12) At the junction, turn left (south-west) and continue downhill.

(13) Pass the path to Mijavols on your left and turn right, continuing downhill. Follow the markings carefully (west-north-west then west) to the Col du Sapet.

(14) Continue straight ahead on a wide bridle path across flat terrain.

(15) At the next junction, stay on the main track (ignore the one branching off to the left). Head west-north-west to the Col de l'Ancise.

(16) Continue along the undulating track, generally heading west, to reach the Col de Perpau (a junction of several tracks).

(17) Continue almost straight ahead with the^GR® 68 and 70. Stay on the main, signposted track until the next junction (signpost).

(18) Turn left onto the new^GR®736, which joins the^GR® 68. The track becomes a path and winds its way through the small pines along a very recently resurfaced route.

(19) Turn left (leaving a^PR® signposted towards Bédouès on your right). The track heads south to reach a junction.

(20) Stay on the^GR®68straight on towards Florac and head steeply downhill. Take a hairpin bend to the left, then a right turn, and reach a junction.

(21) Leave the track and take the^GR®68marked path on the left. Continue downhill.

(22) At the junction, turn left. At the next junction, turn left again. At the end of the path, carefully cross the N106 and take the bridge over the Tarnon. The road then turns left. At the roundabout (police station), continue straight on along Avenue Jean Monestier. Keep going straight on, past the temple, and take the bridge over a river.

(23) As you leave the bridge, turn right onto Rue Lambert. When the street bends to the left, continue straight ahead. Opposite the town hall, turn left to quickly reach the stopover lodge on Rue du Pêcher (E).

The route is rated very difficult due to its length and the continuous climb up to the Signal du Bougès. It does not require climbing skills.

There is no water or refreshments on this long route, so bring enough water for the day; at least two litres is the minimum in high season.
The natural environment is so well-protected that there aren’t even any designated rest areas. This is particularly true from the Col du Sapet onwards, at the entrance to the Cévennes National Park. It is incomprehensible that no shaded rest or picnic areas are provided for the walkers, hikers, mountain bikers or horse riders who frequently cross paths here. This is particularly glaringly obvious on the wide track leading towards Florac, which runs mostly through woodland and where, for several kilometres, there isn’t even a spot to put down your rucksack and rest. I saw hikers picnicking right in the middle of the track just to find a flat spot in the shade!

The starting and finishing towns offer good accommodation and provisions; note that food shops often do not open until 8.30 am.
Accommodation in Florac: Lodge La Carline (formerly Prebytère), 18 Rue du Pecher. Contact: Alain Lagrave: Tel: 06 74 33 69 94. A small private lodge with around ten beds, located in the central district of Florac-3 Rivières. A kitchen is available, but there are several restaurants and grocery shops nearby. Very warm welcome, quiet and clean.

(3) Beautiful views of Pont-de-Montvert and the surrounding area.

A pile of flat stones shaped like cairns known as ‘Les trois Fayard’.

(11) Signal du Bougès: sweeping views from this highest point, even if the Tarn valley seems far away. There is another viewpoint marked out a little further down, past the mast.

This spot, a crossroads of trails, features information boards explaining the geology, flora and fauna of this vast protected area that is the Cévennes National Park.

(E) Florac is a very pretty little town with all the shops, accommodation and even a supermarket.