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(S) From the fountain square in Russan (commune of Sainte Anastasie), go up the Grand Rue, then turn right onto Rue du Marellas, following the red and white markings ofthe GR®63. The street branches off to the left into Rue du Réservoir and continues along a stony path that climbs towards the cliffs overlooking the Gardon.
(1) The majestic meanders of the river attract attention. Walk over flat rock slabs, pass two paths on the left and continue straight ahead, descending on the opposite side to the bottom of the valley. From there, a steep slope in full sun climbs up to the plateau.
(2) Just before the summit, leave theGR®6, which branches off to the left, and continue straight ahead on the path marked with a yellow cross. From there, you are off the marked trail. The path quickly becomes a small trail that runs along the cliff. 350 metres further on, you will come to a sort of crossroads near a boxwood grove.
(3) Turn right onto the small path that descends and leads you to the Grotte de la Trône. Enter this impressive hole by taking a small, careful step onto the weathered rock (be careful, the ground is slippery). This is a shelter used by prehistoric humans. In the passageway on the left, you will notice a door whose purpose is to protect the cave paintings.
Return to the path. Continue your hike to the plateau, where you will come to a wider path.
(4) Turn right to admire the view and read the information board about the formation of the gorges and its fauna.
Retrace your steps and head towards the edge of the cliff, leaving theGR®63on your left. Walk along the cliff to the east (still off the marked trail) on a small path that is not always clearly defined (follow the cairns that mark the route). The path descends slightly and you arrive at the Baume percée, which you can admire from above (caution: danger of falling). Climbers like to access the bottom of the cliff by abseiling down this hole.
(5) The path climbs slightly and a little further on you pass a shelter carved into the rock (you can see it by its domed roof).
(6) Continue along this path (cairn) which branches off to the north-east and head towards a large isolated pine tree to reach a track.
(7) Follow the track to the left until you reach the junction with the DFCI.
(8) Turn right onto theGR®63(DFCI B59) and ignore all the paths branching off to the right and left, with views over the whole of the Uzège. In spring, rockroses, broom and thyme bloom in the heath. At the intersection with a track (heath signpost), turn right, heading east, to reach the Saint-Nicolas plateau via theGR®6. At the next intersection (Plateau Saint-Nicolas signpost), continue left, still on theGR®6, to reach the banks of the Gardon river, which you will overlook until you reach the Saint-Nicolas bridge.
(9) Just before the bridge, go around the Tour Saint-Nicolas de Campagnac on the left, cross the meadow and reach the Pont-Saint-Nicolas signpost.
(10) Turn right for a few metres to reach the D979 on the left, following theGR®6and 63.
(11) At the next intersection, turn right onto the D112 towards Collias.
(12) After 800 m, turn right onto the small road. In the left-hand bend, leave the road and take the path on the right.
(13) At the next intersection, turn left, then right, and a few metres later, turn left onto a small path that winds through the heath with occasional glimpses of cultivated fields on the left. Ignore all the paths branching off to the right and left.
The path branches off to the right and begins to climb towards the plateau. Once you reach the plateau, the path continues under a pleasant canopy of vegetation after the climb and leads to a wide track which you take to the left. At the fork (large concrete table), stay on the right-hand track and then, at the next intersection, turn right to reach La Coufine (signpost).
(14) Leave theGR® by turning right towards the Gorges du Gardon, following the yellow markings on the path that leads into the heath to reach the edge of the Gardon canyon. Magnificent view of the La Baume site. The path winds downhill and reaches the pleasant undergrowth bordering the river to arrive at La Baume.
(15) Pass in front of the Saint-Vérédème chapel.
(16) If you wish, take the time to climb up to the left to the hermitage and chapel nestled under a rocky overhang, accessible all year round, as well as the splendid gate of the Grotte de La Baume (closed from 1 May to 15 August and from 15 November to 15 March to protect the bats). Once inside the cave, you can use your torch to make the short, easy and enjoyable crossing of this natural tunnel (be careful, the ground is slippery in places).
Follow the course of the river (left bank) eastwards towards Collias, following the yellow markings: you can't go wrong as the path runs between the cliff and the river. The path winds through the undergrowth or over rocky slabs, moving closer to or further away from the Gardon river; there is a small passage with a handrail for safety.
(17) When you arrive in Collias, walk along the climbing site, the via ferrata.
(18) Pass in front of the Grotte de Pâques (closed by a gate). Ignore the first street on the left, which leads directly back up to the village, and continue straight ahead, passing in front of the restaurant.
Just before the bridge, take the stairs on the left which lead to Avenue du Pont. Turn left and head for the car park (E).
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Difficult 
Easy 
