The Mercou, Briontet and Cabane Vieille pass loop

Set amid pastures and wooded hills covered with chestnut trees, this Cévennes getaway offers splendid views of the surrounding peaks and valleys.

Details

807189
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 11.37 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 4h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 523 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 521 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 773 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 380 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Park in the car park at the Col de Mercou.

(S/E) Head towards the Col du Briontet. Please note: after 150m, leave the track and climb left onto the marked path that winds between oak trees and ferns. Follow the red and white rectangles ofthe GR®61to reach the Col de Briontet after a long walk.

(1) Descend to the right towards Lasalle (2nd on the right) on a path, which is rutted in places by rain, and continues as an asphalt track at La Jasse d'Audibert.

(2) After the descent, cross the D39 and follow the road opposite, which is closed to vehicles over 3 tonnes. When the asphalt ends at the fire hydrant, turn right onto the flight of steps covered in vegetation and join the road, following it to the left.

(3) A panorama of timeless charm. As you approach Soudorgues, admire the ruins of the Tour de Peyre nestled on its hillock on your left. Cross the village and pass in front of the temple.

(4) Turn left towards the Col de Cabane Vieille (yellow sign). Continue towards Le Mourier, passing in front of the cemetery. On the Peyre Plantade plateau, keep right on the asphalt track, which soon gives way to a good path. Stay on the red and white marked trail (here you should follow theGR®63), which climbs gently while offering views of the surrounding valleys.

(5) Leave the track and follow the signs to Cabane Vieille on the right. As the climb ends, just before the open section and opposite the small yellow sign for Soudorgues, the path veers to the right, offering a breathtaking view a few steps to the left, before arriving at the Col de Cabane Vieille.

(6) This viewpoint offers timeless charm. Continue on the right path, still marked in red and white, which climbs, descends and winds its way through lush vegetation. At the crossroads, continue straight ahead to return while enjoying the many views at the Col du Mercou (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 570 m - Col de Mercou
  2. 1 : km 1.79 - alt. 662 m - Col de Briontet
  3. 2 : km 2.87 - alt. 535 m - La Jasse d'Audibert
  4. 3 : km 4.15 - alt. 394 m - Les Horts
  5. 4 : km 5.61 - alt. 483 m - Soudorgues
  6. 5 : km 7.75 - alt. 630 m - End of the trail
  7. 6 : km 9.24 - alt. 749 m - Col de Cabane Vieille
  8. S/E : km 11.37 - alt. 570 m - Col de Mercou

Notes

This hike includes many steep and rocky paths, so be sure to wear good walking shoes...

 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.

Reviews and comments

4.5 / 5
Based on 26 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.6 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.8 / 5
Route interest
4.2 / 5
Huerga
Huerga

Overall rating : 3.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★☆☆ Average
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

The only difficulty is finding your way at the Briontet Pass, where GPS is a welcome aid.
Hunting seasons should be avoided. The paths leading down from the pass are rutted by wild boars.
It is possible to avoid some of the tarmac by cutting through the village, but there is still too much road.
Apart from these minor criticisms, this is a pleasant walk with beautiful scenery, suitable for the whole family.

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fanette28
fanette28

Overall rating : 4 / 5

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

Good description of the route.
Not recommended during wild boar hunting season: Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Beautiful views of the Cévennes.

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Levant
Levant

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 16, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

A little disappointed. The first quarter of the hike is very pleasant, but more than half of it is on tarmac. What a shame in the Cévennes!
Very pretty views, though.
Easy hike

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Seb26
Seb26

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 20, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

At the Briontet Pass, it's not very clear

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golgothic
golgothic

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 31, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

The trail is very easy to follow, with recent markings and even signs, most of which are hidden by vegetation.
Some pretty views
The downsides: the trail is often VERY rocky and there is a fairly long section on tarmac
Good shoes are essential

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andreberna
andreberna

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Departure from Soudorgues, beautiful hike with a few rocky sections, extended from the Col de Briontet to La Malaygue, Mont Brion and Col de Briontet. The climb up La Malaygue and Mont Brion is a bit challenging

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websissou
websissou

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 06, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Well-marked trail.
Varied terrain: trails, undergrowth, ridges, hamlet crossings.
However, in places, the terrain is technical and stony.
Several very enjoyable panoramic views of the surrounding peaks and even views of the sea.
We found the difficulty rating to be realistic.
We did the hike in good weather and it will remain a very pleasant memory

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Zaouz
Zaouz

Overall rating : 3.7 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 21, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

Hike done with the family (with two teenagers aged 13 and 16).
The hike is not difficult. As some of the comments already mention, we found the paved section much too long, so much so that we cut between points 3 and 4 (a shortcut made possible with a map or IGN background), which saved us 200 or 300 metres.
The very first part and the end are very pleasant, with a "magical forest" feel.
Nevertheless, overall, we were not particularly impressed.

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andreberna
andreberna

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Rocky in places but a beautiful hike starting from Soudorgues

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ch-gilles264
ch-gilles264

Just a hike I did for the first time with my father 60 years ago. We left Lasalle at 3 a.m. to see the sunrise at Fageas. We passed through Grand Viala, which reminded him of a refuge from the years of the Resistance.

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pmandre
pmandre

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 09, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

great hike, but I suggest a slight variation: start from Soudorgues, follow the GR and, 100 metres after the lime kiln, at the "four à chaux" signpost (590 metres), climb up to the right towards "sous le Mauripe" on the yellow trail,then follow the "serre des hubacs" (marked with a dotted line on the IGN map), passing by the MAURIPE summit (822 m), then descend to rejoin the GR at the "serre des Hubacs" signpost (729 m).This path is more difficult, more exposed and much more scenic, on a ridge that is not dangerous, than going via the "cabane vieille". It is 1.8 km instead of 3.3 km, but the path is steeper with an additional 100 m of elevation gain

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sabinelagardeval
sabinelagardeval

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Dec 30, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

Nice hike, watch out for the "plant-covered climb" and take it slowly. We passed through lots of pretty little hamlets. Varied landscape, took 3 hours (for good walkers).

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VincentM30
VincentM30

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 25, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No

Nice hike but unfortunately far too much tarmac. We were disappointed that after a great start in the forest on pretty single tracks, we ended up on asphalted sections and then on roads where we came across quite a few cars. I think we saw more cars than hikers!
Still, there were some nice views, beautiful vegetation (magnificent chestnut trees in autumn colours) and quiet, peaceful trails.
We also regret the very stony final section of the descent, which left us with a slightly unpleasant taste in our mouths at the end.

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HCOUTANT
HCOUTANT

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 04, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk with beautiful views

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Email2018
Email2018

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 11, 2019
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good

Hello, A magnificent autumn hike among green oak trees and golden chestnut trees with superb views! We started in Soudorgues and, on the way back, we avoided the slightly dangerous section of road by following the yellow markings between points 3 and 4 and passing the signpost "caserne des dragons" (dragon barracks).
In fact, for point 3, cross the road after the pretty flight of steps and take the concrete path opposite, which leads up to some houses and a restaurant that is closed at this time of year. Follow the yellow markings; the path is lovely. Pass the "caserne des dragons" signpost towards Soudorgues. You will arrive at a yellow sign indicating the direction of Cabanes vieilles (point 4) and continue your hike if you started from the pass. Thank you for this hike.

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