The Tarn: source of a great river at the Col de Finiels

The starting point is at the Col de Finiels car park, the highest point on the D20 road linking Le Bleymard (to the north) with Le Pont de Montvert (to the south) in the Cévennes National Park.

(S/E) From the car park, follow the track for 150 m heading east opposite the Maison de Finiels until you reach a Y-junction.

(1) Then turn left, continuing along the Mont Lozère Forest Road. Continue eastwards, following the ridge on the northern slope. Overlooking the north-east of the Cévennes National Park: a magnificent view, weather permitting. After about 2.5 km, following a wide bend to the right and a gentle descent (southwards), you’ll reach the start of a path on the right leading downhill (La Peyre Plantade).
Take care to spot this trailhead: there is a sign nearby reading: “Herds and guard dogs”.

(2) Head downhill to the right, quickly reaching an easily identifiable stream at the bottom of the valley, which flows southwards between the undulating terrain. This is the very first visible sign of the Tarn.
Cross the stream and follow it along the right bank as it descends southwards, between pastures and granite boulders. Wild countryside, rarely visited but home to flocks of sheep (in this case, do not confront the dogs and take a detour).

Further down, after about 2.5 km, a deciduous forest begins to grow on the opposite (left) bank. This is also where, if you look carefully, the Tarn offers beautiful pools of crystal-clear water, tempting you to take a dip.
Further down still, look out for a clearing on the left bank in the forest, just before the Tarn makes a circular bend to the right. A little further on, you’ll reach a T-junction, marked by a Cévennes National Park signpost.

(3) Leave the path on the right and head left for a few metres, then cross the Tarn via a ford made of large granite boulders. Follow the river on the left bank, continuing to the right through the undergrowth. This is a “Discovery Trail” of the National Park. The forest of gnarled beech trees is truly remarkable. The path gradually moves away from the Tarn to follow a supply channel to Mas Camargues downstream.

Further on, leave the beech forest and cross a few pastures strewn with large granite boulders (chaos). Go round the impressive boulder, balanced precariously on its base, and arrive at Mas Camargues. Take the time to appreciate and explore the village, the two watermills and the cemetery. The site has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011 under the title ‘Cultural Landscape of Mediterranean Agro-Pastoralism’. Then rejoin the track and the various^{GR® trails.}

(4) Head down the track to the right towards the old bridge over the Tarn and cross it (car park). This is the first bridge over the Tarn, which has now become a river.

(5) Continue along the track towards the west, climbing in wide hairpin bends towards the Hôpital crossroads on the ridge (elevation 1372m).

(6) Continue straight ahead on the same track, ignoring a path on the left. Carry on along the flat terrain towards the north-west.

(7) Continue right towards the north and, further on, reach the houses at the bottom of the village of L’Hôpital. Note on the right the last house in the hamlet with a thatched roof: it is a watermill (you can go inside and see the millstone and the wheel). Continue along the winding track to Salarial.

(8) Immediately after the last building in Salarial, follow a path on the right (^GR® 7). Head north up a gentle slope, on the left bank of a stream, following the route of an ancient Roman road. Continue uphill, initially along the edge of the forest.

(9) After about 800 m, having crossed the Les Planches stream, continue to the right through the undergrowth (north). Further on, the path levels out before reaching the junction with the road you took on the way out.

(1) Turn left to return to the car park (S/E).

There is usually a temperature difference of 5°C to 10°C between the summit of Mont Lozère and the adjacent valleys. Be sure to check the weather forecast for the mountain before planning your hike. Do not attempt this route in winter or in foggy conditions. In hot weather: there is shade over approximately one-third of the route.

Large flocks of sheep are on the move through the valley between (2) and (3). Be sure to give them a wide berth and do not try to get close to them: the dogs will chase you away.

In summer, you can swim in the pools of the Tarn, or at the bridge over the Tarn (5).
There is shade in the beautiful beech forest between (3) and (4), then again as you head uphill after (9).

The historic village of "Mas Camargues", restored and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Former watermill in the village of L’Hôpital. This village was the centre of the domain of the Knights Templar and the Knights Hospitaller of Saint John of Jerusalem during the 12th to 18th centuries. The village was part of the Commandery of Gap Francès.