Portes (Gard) walks

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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).

Les Chams de Bonneveau, Cassenade and Malbosquet, and the hamlets of Malbosquet and Les Escoussous as seen from the Col de Peras. Beautiful views of the Cévennes, the Alps, Mont Ventoux, the Tanargue Massif and, closer by, the Berrias Plain. Varied terrain on this fairly demanding hike.

A short walk along pleasant Cévennes paths. A route that begins with a magnificent staircase made of splendid schist slabs, and a series of small steps allowing you to cross the various accols (or faïsses: terms meaning terraced farmland) once maintained for cultivation. Also worth noting is a distinctive feature of the Malbosquet Bridge, where one of the parapets has a pointed section in the middle, into which a slab has been set to form a seat.

A circular loop without difficulty, with panoramic views to enjoy with the family. The Chemin des Vignes follows an old route that was once used for terraced farming and then for exploiting the pine forest to support the mining galleries. The vines disappeared in the 1960s.

Starting from the village of Génolhac, the walk crosses the Col de l'Ancise and Col de la Banlève passes, heads towards the remarkable Tomple garden and crosses the Cévenol railway line, which still connects Clermont-Ferrand to Nîmes.

A short walk along the Luech, following an old irrigation canal. Return via the road. A few short steep sections mean that this walk is classified as moderate, despite the short distance.

A very pretty walk, through trees at the bottom and broom at the top. Allow a good half day to a full day to complete the circuit. I recommend this walk to experienced walkers who are used to walking in the mountains.

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.

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.