La Croix de Berthel and the Pont du Tarn

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Route starting from the Col de la Croix de Berthel in the heart of the southern Cévennes. A day hike without any major difficulties.

Details

n°3356794
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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 16.72 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 6h 00 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate
  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 434 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 437 m
  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,366 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 1,034 m
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Photos

The Tarn
Snow
Before the bridge
Sign

Description of the walk

Park near the barrier that closes off access to theGR®7trail (on the right towards Pont-de-Monvert).

(S/E) Head north-east on theGR®7-GR®68.

(1) Continue on theGR® 7 -GR® 68 and climb up to Plo de la Nassette.

(2) From Plo de la Nassette, take the drovers' road (transhumance path) ofthe GR®7-GR®68 which climbs opposite. At the end of this climb, you will arrive at a plateau near the hamlet of Aubaret. You will be able to see the undulating path to follow.

(3) At the hamlet, continue left on theGR® 7 and leave theGR® 68 on your right. Cross the magnificent granite bridge leading to the farm. Pass behind the farm and you will see the granite area where the farmers used to thresh wheat.
Climb up to the plateau then descend towards the Tarn.

(4) When you reach the intersection with theGR® 72, turn right for 200 metres to make a round trip to the bridge.

(5) Tarn Bridge (magnificent). Turn around.

(4) Head west again, this time on theGR® 72, and follow the Tarn on its left bank. Pass a path on the left and continue to a crossroads (elevation 1297).

(6) Leave theGR® 72 and head south, taking the wide path on the left that leads to the hamlet of Felgérolles.

(7) At the hamlet, turn left onto the path marked in yellow towards Masméjean.

(8) When you reach Masméjean Haut, take the road on the left to descend towards the lower village.

(9) When you reach the road, take the path opposite, heading south, which descends towards the stream. Cross the ford over the Alignon.
After climbing back up the yellow-marked trail, you will reach the Col des Rouvières.

(10) Take the road opposite, which will lead you to the hamlet of Les Batides. Continue a few metres along the road and turn left at the bend to reach the fork in the road from the outward journey.

(1) Continue to the right to reach the Col de la Croix de Berthel (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 1,090 m - La Croix de Berthel
  2. 1 : km 0.76 - alt. 1,122 m - Crossroads of the circular
  3. 2 : km 1.78 - alt. 1,151 m - GR 7 and GR 68
  4. 3 : km 4.04 - alt. 1,251 m - Hamlet of Aubaret - GR 7
  5. 4 : km 6.67 - alt. 1,327 m - Fork - Return to Pont du Tarn then GR 72
  6. 5 : km 6.81 - alt. 1,328 m - Pont du - Tarn (rivère)
  7. 6 : km 9.64 - alt. 1,297 m - Wide path on the left - End of GR72
  8. 7 : km 11.05 - alt. 1,169 m - Hamlet of Felgérolles
  9. 8 : km 12.57 - alt. 1,108 m - Masméjean haut
  10. 9 : km 13.14 - alt. 1,077 m - Masméjean bas
  11. 10 : km 14.42 - alt. 1,121 m - Col des Rouvières
  12. S/E : km 16.72 - alt. 1,088 m - La Croix de Berthel

Notes

The route does not follow the outdated IGN map.

 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

4.8 / 5
Based on 14 reviews
Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.6 / 5
Route interest
4.9 / 5
Maudvnlt
Maudvnlt

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 23, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A magnificent hike to do in the area!
The trail was quiet on the day we were there, peaceful and relaxing with stunning scenery.
The initial climb leads to a plateau with lots of large rocks and a few traditional buildings that make for a magnificent landscape. The hike then takes you to the Pont du Tarn and a more barren plain that runs alongside the Tarn, offering what are surely the most beautiful views of the walk.
A truly splendid hike, not to be missed if you're in the area!

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ethee
ethee
• Edited:

Very beautiful and pleasant hike.... No particular difficulties.... Magnificent landscapes....
Special remarks:
We started from Les Bastides so that we could park in the car park.
At number 9... We had to take off our shoes to cross the small stream
This hike is best done when the broom is in bloom, as it must be spectacular. We were about two weeks early

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ThC
ThC

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 10, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

First of all, I would advise anyone wishing to do this magnificent route to park at Les Bastides, a little further along the road. This is because there isn't really any space at the barrier and, depending on the season, the path is difficult to navigate by car. What's more, it avoids having to walk back and forth along this uninteresting path.
Apart from the first two kilometres, which are not very interesting as the path is lined with felled trees, once you reach the top of the path with the view of Aubaret, the scenery is splendid. The hamlet itself is magnificent, the rocks above are typical of the area and really beautiful, streams flow everywhere and wherever you look, nature is there for you to enjoy. It's wonderful.
At the top of the rocks, I started to encounter quite a bit of snow up to the Pont du Tarn and beyond, but that only made the hike even more enjoyable with the alternation of snow and nature. I must have walked 6km in the snow. I had a picnic on a beach by the Tarn after the bridge. I was alone in the world. I only met three people during the entire hike.
I decided to extend the hike by 3 km, continuing on the GR72 after point 6 to Merlet, with magnificent views on the descent, and I rejoined the route at point 7. If you have the energy, this extension is worth it for the sumptuous landscapes.
It took me less than five hours, including breaks.

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MarionCln
MarionCln

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 27, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Note to be taken into account only in winter: Watch out for snow up there! I had to do a third of the hike in the snow. So, in trainers or hiking boots, it's fine, but there are no markings in some places, and you can't see the paths very well. Luckily, I had the app on my phone! 😉 I had a great time, but I think it would have been even more enjoyable in good weather. Be careful after Mas Méjean, when you cross the river (again, in winter you have to take your shoes off because there is a lot of water), the trail is on the right.

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GjRobert
GjRobert

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 15, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

For us, it was a very interesting hike: varied landscapes where we found wooded moors and forests, sandy stones and huge rocks typical of the Cévennes. A sublime route along the Tarn and magnificent landscapes with superb views.
However, there was one difficulty when crossing the ford. The water was above knee height and the current was relatively fast. On that day, it wasn't really suitable for everyone's legs. And there was no way to get around it or avoid it without adding a lot of time and kilometres to the hike. So we crossed by stretching two smooth sticks across the water with our boots (bin bags) and taking great care. Just a slight downside to the "difficulty" rating in the description...
This hike is definitely in the TOP 10 of our walks for 2024.
Thank you.

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JP Bariteau
JP Bariteau

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 13, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Hike only between Croix de Berthel and Pont du Tarn. Easy, well-marked trail. Quite steep and exposed to the sun. But beautiful surroundings. The Pont du Tarn site is truly splendid.

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fred fenouil
fred fenouil

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 04, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike, very well marked. No particular difficulties.

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phil34
phil34

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Sep 30, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : Yes

A very pleasant walk,
the area around the bridge is magnificent but very busy.

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Nadège12
Nadège12

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 09, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

please note: this hike is not recommended in hot weather as there is not much shade, but there are several small streams where you can cool off
At point 3, climb up through the granite boulders, which I really enjoyed
the arrival at the Tarn bridge is a very pleasant and beautiful moment. . Very popular spot

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SOLIGNAC
SOLIGNAC

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jun 05, 2023
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful hike, the Tarn bridge is a must-see
Very varied landscape with beautiful views

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JPBellocq
JPBellocq

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Aug 28, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Very beautiful, varied landscapes: limestone plateaus, banks of the Tarn, drovers' roads, irrigation channels, sites.
Be sure to follow the trail marked with a 9 (we took a wrong turn and ended up at the Col du Bonnet...)
Can be extended by the Felgérolles trail to Pont du Tarn from 5 to S/E? with the possibility of swimming in the Tarn even if there is little water.

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Calou48
Calou48

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 25, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Do not do this route too early (wait until May) as there may be snow on the route...
In addition, the Masméjean ford may not be passable.
Otherwise, having done it later in the season, it's a magnificent hike

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Martine Viste
Martine Viste

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : May 31, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Beautiful "marble griotte" quarries

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PIERRE MONNIER
PIERRE MONNIER

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 19, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A very beautiful and easy hike. The Tarn valley is magnificent. There were a few hikers on the trail, but it wasn't crowded.
a bit of trail, superb paths and a landscape combining rocky outcrops and vegetation dominated by broom.
A beautiful herd of goats and sheep with a shepherd and several Patou dogs at his command.
We spotted vultures on the heights near L'Aubaret.
Don't hesitate to venture there.
PP and MM

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lovéro
lovéro

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 15, 2020
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

Magnificent hike, very diverse, the landscapes were very different and all very beautiful, also very well marked on the map

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The GPS track and description are the property of this route's author. Please do not copy them without permission.