Le Martinet walks

A beautiful hike in the Auzonnet valley, with stunning scenery but also the constant presence of the region's industrial past, linked to coal, which is sure to captivate you. The medieval village of Saint-Jean-de-Valériscle is also worth a visit. The route is well marked and does not present any particular difficulties.

This is a challenging hike that allows you to discover different aspects of the southern Cévennes countryside, passing through forests and superb panoramas, as well as villages and hamlets. The climb from Robiac to the Chapelle Lacham is challenging, with some steep sections, but the scenery is well worth the effort. The descent from the chapel to Saint-Florent-sur-Auzonnet is also challenging, due to the large unstable rocks typical of the Cévennes over much of the descent.

This challenging loop starts at Col de Portes and descends to Peyremale via the beautiful medieval village of Le Puech. After Peyremale and Saint-Herm, the route climbs back up to higher ground, offering superb views of the meandering Luech river below, which you eventually reach and follow along the beautiful hamlet of Chareneuve, which seems cut off from the world.Follow the Luech to Martinet Neuf after Chambon. Take a path that climbs steeply to Dieusses. Towards the end of the climb, you can clearly see the Château de Portes on the other side of the Luech, which you will have to reach. You are now about halfway there.Descend towards Chamborigaud, with beautiful views of the viaduct, which the path passes under. After the Chamborigaud bridge, take the GR®700, which climbs up to the Col de Portes. This is the thousand-year-old Régordane path. Although it stays close to the road, which you cross in a few places, this road, which starts off as a road but later becomes a path, is very pleasant.

Short walk, about an hour, around Château de Portes. It's not difficult, the route is easily accessible, you just have to climb a little to reach the château.

The Château de Portes is nicknamed the "ship of the Cévennes" as it overlooked the old Regordane Way, which pilgrims and crusaders used on their way to the Holy Land. Through the woods, this hike will introduce you to another, more recent past of the Cévennes: the mines, with the discovery of the Peyrerol tower and its inclined plane. 09/10/2023 Moderator's message: the route has been modified and shortened to avoid private sections between (3) and Le Tour.

A hike with no particular difficulties, on good unpaved paths. You’ll pass through chestnut and pine forests and be treated to some splendid panoramic views. Here and there, traces of past activities remind the hiker that this mountain, now uninhabited, was once a refuge for many people.

La Vernarède is a small mining village between Portes and Chamborigaud. It's a lovely, easy walk with plenty of water points for our furry friends to drink from, at least in spring (in summer this may not be the case). The trail stretches under the pine trees and a few chestnut trees and runs alongside the Broussous stream. Numerous flowers dot the water sources, such as magnificent columbines and daisies.

A hike in the foothills of the Cévennes, well signposted (yellow markings), with most of the route on good paths, fairly shaded and therefore suitable for summer walking despite the heat. No particular difficulties to report. Some splendid panoramic views, magnificent farmhouses including one dating from the 14th century, and an old abbey as the icing on the cake.

Starting from Saint-Ambroix, a pretty village in the Gard, set off to explore the Gisquet tower and the ruins of the medieval Château de Montalet. A beautiful hike through holm oak woods and chestnut groves.

A pleasant walk with some nice views. Can be done in summer as many sections are in the shade, but be careful on some stony sections.

Starting from the village of Saint-Brès, a lovely walk through the heath between Gard and Ardèche with stunning views from the orientation table at the Chapel of Saint-Privat. The direction indicated is the easiest; this avoids a fairly steep climb to reach the chapel. Do not attempt in very hot weather. You can visit the village of Saint-Sauveur and its church, as well as the village of Saint-Brès, on the way back.

A very pleasant hike in Malbosc among chestnut trees, taking paths and pretty paved slanting streets. Moderator's note Please note that the red bridge appears to have disappeared. See reviews

This is a challenging circular route with an elevation gain of over 1,000 metres, starting from Chamborigaud and climbing up to the Route des Crêtes, with superb views of the surrounding mountains, including the ruins of the old castle of Verfeuil, from the south of Mont Lozère to Mont Ventoux. There are various places between the points (7) and (15) that also offer beautiful views. From Vialas to Chamborigaud, you will come across numerous streams that flow into the Luech, which you will follow, with a superb spot that is ideal for a break or a swim, even if there are still 6 km to go to reach the starting point, with a steep hill to leave the Luech. But overall, it is a very beautiful route for lovers of good, challenging hikes.

A short walk for a winter’s afternoon in the land of Jean-Pierre Chabrol. You pass under the magnificent Luech viaduct before climbing gently for a circular route through the Cévennes forests and returning to Chamborigaud. Please note: On Monday 18 March 2024, the stone bridge spanning the Luech at the edge of the village collapsed. The start of the walk can be moved to Le Martinet: Chemin Jean-Pierre Chabrol.

A short walk through the heath dotted with a few dolmens in varying states of repair, but nonetheless interesting for their burial mounds and magnificent limestone slabs, which have unfortunately partially collapsed. You can also see two shepherds’ drystone shelters, known locally as ‘drystone shelters’, one of which is in good condition.

From the Peyraube tumulus, enter a landscape dating back to the Neolithic period and discover the Peyraube valat (a stream or torrent in the Cévennes language) and then the Vanmalle valat, immersing yourself in the Basses Cévennes and the maquis to end up in front of a Neolithic tomb, the Ron Traoucat (Roc Troué).

An unusual walk and nothing too complicated if you’re not claustrophobic.

A short hike with no major difficulties, but best avoided during hot weather. The elevation gain is low, and overall the paths are not too difficult and are often marked in yellow. It is possible to descend to the Cotepatière resurgence and back, preferably after rain, otherwise it is dry. I am providing the details of the "les résurgences" hike, which you walk along for a while.

A short route, suitable for families, on decent paths with good signposting. A lovely apiary at Les Bouchets and superb views of the Monts de la Lozère. It’s (relatively) cool in the morning.You can enhance the walk with a meal at the little restaurant opposite the church (closed on Wednesdays).

Une randonnée proposée par le Parc Naturel des Cévennes. Le sens de la randonnée a été inversé pour éviter une fin de parcours en forte côte, et très chaude.