The Meysse Ridges

This walk offers splendid panoramic views of the Rhône Valley and the Lavezon Valley, set amongst typical Mediterranean vegetation.

Details

10302082
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 4.78 mi
  • ◔
    Average duration: 3h 20 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Moderate

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 1,266 ft
  • ↘
    Descent: - 1,240 ft

  • ▲
    Highest point: 1,437 ft
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 276 ft

Photos

Description of the walk

Park near the town hall and the post office on Rue du 11 Novembre.

(S/E) Set off to the right of the main entrance, following the small road (Quai du Lavezon) which runs alongside the D2.
Follow the red and white markings ofthe GR®42. Leave the Quai du Lavezon at the ramp leading up to the D2. Turn right onto Rue de la Plaine, then, after the archway, turn left onto Rue de la Citadelle. Continue along Chemin des Mures, then Chemin des Bois.
The tarmac section ends in a residential area; continue along the dirt track opposite until you reach a fork.

(1) Carry on straight ahead once more and, 300 metres further on, the track joins the tarmac road, passing under the power lines. Turn left onto the road lined with boxwood, holm oaks and junipers, and follow it for over a kilometre. In front of Dupic, carry on straight ahead along a wide stony track. Pass under the power lines and carry on to a fork in the path at elevation 399.

(2) Now follow the white and yellow markings along this wide path to the left, which leads to a crossroads beneath the high-voltage power line.

(3) Take the path that descends to the left, towards a pylon. Stay on this ridge path, which offers magnificent views of the Pic de Chenavari and the Rhône Valley.

(4) Leave the ridge by taking a small path on the left which descends through oak, boxwood and juniper trees.
The path widens as it reaches the junction you passed earlier on the way there.

(1) Turn right and, following the route in the opposite direction to the outward journey, return to the starting point (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : mi 0 - alt. 276 ft - Car park. Rue du 11 Novembre - Lavézon (rivière)
  2. 1 : mi 0.7 - alt. 476 ft - Common junction. Out and back
  3. 2 : mi 2.23 - alt. 1,306 ft - Junction. Les Nèbles: follow signs for Meysse
  4. 3 : mi 2.54 - alt. 1,437 ft - Elevation 442. Via the ridge. View over the Rhône Valley - Rhône (River)
  5. 4 : mi 3.07 - alt. 1,148 ft - To the left.
  6. S/E : mi 4.78 - alt. 276 ft - Car park. Rue du 11 Novembre

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

4.6 / 5
Based on 3 reviews

Reliability of the description
5 / 5
Ease of following the route
5 / 5
Route interest
3.7 / 5
papou26200
papou26200

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Oct 22, 2024
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, although the first section along the tarmac road is quite long and the gradient is quite steep, especially once you reach the start of the track. Be careful not to miss the cairn on the way down. There are some lovely views over the valley, although at times the vegetation prevents us from taking in the full landscape. Thank you for the walk.

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gilles 2674
gilles 2674

Overall rating : 4.7 / 5

Date of your route : Jan 10, 2022
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk, even if the descent is over large boulders. Be careful not to miss the cairn on the way down, otherwise you’ll have to climb back up. This mistake meant we got to see a missile mounted on an old fire engine. No, no, I hadn’t been drinking!
This point of interest is visible from the D2 road below.
I lost my car keys on this circular loop. If you find them, please take them to the Town Hall.

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Maryma
Maryma

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 18, 2021
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★☆☆☆ Disappointing
Very busy route : No

A correction needs to be made to the description at the start of the route: “Rue de la Plaine” has become “Rue du Lavoir”; it was a local resident who saved us from getting lost
There’s a lot of tarmac at the start of the walk, and plenty of electric bollards all along the route. The paths are often strewn with large stones; watch your ankles if you’re not wearing high-top shoes.
There really are some lovely views of the Rhône valley for the most part.
On the way back down, I took a wrong turn and turned left too quickly because I was following the white and yellow markings. Realising my mistake, I went back up to take the correct path. However, having walked the start of this marked path, it seemed more picturesque and less stony to me. What’s more, it joins the path shown on the map, heading towards the reservoir. It’s up to you.
That said, this walk allows you to explore the area around Meysse, which I wouldn’t have thought to visit otherwise. What’s more, with a 360-metre elevation gain over 8 km, it’s still a challenging hike
Thanks to Gazok54 for suggesting this route!

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