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(S) From the Place de la Fontaine de Russan (in the commune of Sainte-Anastasie), head up the Grand Rue, then turn right onto Rue du Marellas, following the red and white markings ofthe GR®®63. The street branches 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 catch the eye. Walk over flat rock slabs, ignore two paths branching off to the left and continue straight ahead, descending on the opposite side to the bottom of the valley. From there, a steep, sun-drenched slope climbs up to the plateau.
(2) Just before the summit, leave theGR®®6, which branches off to the left, and continue straight on along the path marked with a Yellow Cross. From here, you are off the marked trail. The path quickly becomes a narrow track running along the cliff. 350 m further on, you reach a sort of crossroads near a grove of box trees.
(3) Head right onto the narrow path that descends and leads you to the Grotte de la Trône. Enter this impressive cave via a small, tricky step on weathered rock (caution: slippery ground). This is a shelter used by prehistoric people. In the left-hand passage, you will notice a door designed to protect the cave paintings.
Return to the path.
(3) Continue the walk up to the plateau and onto a wider path.
(4) Turn right to admire the view and read the information board explaining the formation of the gorges, as well as details about the local wildlife. Retrace your steps back to the junction you passed earlier.
(4) Head towards the edge of the cliff, leaving theGR®®63on your left. Follow the cliff eastwards (still off the marked trail) along a narrow path, which is not always clearly defined (follow the cairns marking the route). The path descends slightly and leads to the Baume percée, which can be admired from above (caution: danger – risk of falling). Climbers like to reach the base of the cliff by abseiling down through this hole.
(5) The path climbs slightly and, a little further on, passes by a shelter carved into the rock (you can spot it by its domed roof).
(6) Continue along this path (cairn), which branches off to the north-east, and head towards a large, solitary umbrella pine to join a track.
(7) Follow it to the left until you reach the junction with a DFCI track.
(8) Turn right onto theGR®®63(DFCI B59) and ignore all the paths branching off to the right and left; there is a view over the whole of the Uzège. In spring, rockroses, broom and thyme bloom in the heath. At the junction with a track (Heath signpost), turn right, heading east, to reach the Saint-Nicolas plateau via theGR®®6. At the next junction (Plateau Saint-Nicolas signpost), continue left, still on theGR®®6, to reach the banks of the Gardon shortly afterwards. Continue along the riverbank to the Saint-Nicolas bridge.
(9) Just before the bridge, go round the Saint-Nicolas de Campagnac Tower on the left, cross the meadow and reach the Pont-Saint-Nicolas signpost.
(10) Turn right for a few metres to reach the D979. Follow it to the left, keeping to theGR®®6and 63.
(11) At the next junction, turn right onto the D112 towards Collias.
(12) After 800 m, turn right onto the small road. At the 90° left-hand bend, leave the road and take the path on the right.
(13) At the next junction, turn left then right and, a few metres further on, left onto a narrow path that winds through the heath, with occasional glimpses of cultivated fields to the left. Ignore all the turnings to the right and left.
The path branches off to the right and begins to climb towards the plateau. Once you reach the flat area, the path continues through a pleasant, leafy corridor after the climb and opens out onto a wide track. Continue to the left; at the fork (large concrete table), stay on the track to the right, then, at the next junction, turn right to reach La Coufine (signpost).
(14) Leave theGR®® by turning right towards the Gorges du Gardon, following the yellow markings along a path that winds through the heath to reach the edge of the Gardon canyon. Magnificent view of the La Baume site. The path winds downwards through the pleasant woodland bordering the river to reach La Baume.
(15) Walk past the Saint-Vérédème Chapel.
(16) For those who wish, take the time to climb up to the left to the hermitage and the chapel nestled beneath a rocky overhang, accessible all year round, as well as to the splendid entrance to 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 the light of your torch to make the short, easy and enjoyable crossing of this natural tunnel (caution: slippery ground in places).
Follow the course of the river (left bank) eastwards towards Collias, following the yellow markings: you can’t go wrong – the path runs between the cliff and the river, winding through the undergrowth or over rocky slabs, moving away from or closer to the Gardon; there is a short section with a handrail for safety.
(17) On arriving in Collias, walk past the climbing site, the via ferrata.
(18) Walk past the Grotte de Pâques (closed by a gate). Ignore the first street on the left, which leads straight back up to the village, and continue straight ahead, passing the restaurant. Just before the bridge, turn left onto the steps leading to Avenue du Pont. Turn left and head to the car park (E).
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